Ottoman Armenian Document #36
Name/Title
Ottoman Armenian Document #36Scope and Content
Business letter from Bedros Chahbenderian from Marzovan. Bedros Shahbandarian, a native of Kayseri (Gesaria), first emigrated to Marsovan, where he served for many years as president of the local council. He was also actively involved in the production and trade of doluk, manusa, or tireh—a locally woven fabric that became a hallmark of Merzifon and a primary source of livelihood for much of the population. In many households, women and girls worked in weaving workshops producing manusa, while in specialized factories, men collaborated to manufacture larger textile goods. Shahbandarian was among several prominent producers of tireh, alongside the Ibranossian brothers, D. Yeremian, H. Tuyusuzian, and the Elbekian brothers (see Ottoman Armenian Document #31). Their products were shipped across the Ottoman Empire, and their operations continued to expand to meet growing demand. At its height, Marsovan exported tireh textiles valued annually between 70,000 and 80,000 gold liras. In 1912, Shahbandarian relocated to Constantinople, where he remained until 1921, engaged in commercial pursuits. That same year, he emigrated to South America and eventually settled in Argentina, where he established a respected position for himself. He passed away in Buenos Aires on October 18, 1938.Category
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