WWI German Feldpost Constantinople Ottoman Sultan Parade Postcard – Turkey 1917

Original WWI-era German Feldpost postcard from Constantinople (Istanbul), Ottoman Empire, featuring an impressive color scene of Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V proceeding to Parliament, surrounded by mounted troops, military personnel and large crowds.

The French printed caption reads:

“Constantinople. S. M. I. le Sultan se rendant au Parlement.”

Translation:

“Constantinople – His Imperial Majesty the Sultan proceeding to Parliament.”

The street is elaborately decorated with Ottoman flags, and the Sultan’s procession can be seen moving through the crowded street with mounted escorts and carriages. This is an especially attractive color postcard documenting Ottoman ceremonial and military life during the WWI era.

German Feldpost Usage – 1917

The reverse is extensively handwritten in German and was sent through the German military Feldpost system.

The circular military postmark appears to be dated:

20 March 1917

There is also a large diagonal military postal marking across the address side. The sender has written “Feldpostkarte!” and military/unit information across the top.

The card was addressed to Germany, making this a particularly interesting piece of German-Ottoman WWI postal history. Germany and the Ottoman Empire were wartime allies, and German military personnel served extensively in the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.

Handwritten Message – Approximate Translation

The old German cursive is difficult in several places, but much of the message can be read. It begins:

“Liebe Frau!” – “Dear wife!”

The writer appears to say approximately:

“Dear wife! Today I received a lovely colorful card from you for my birthday. Be assured that I was very pleased by it, and it will always remind me of you and our dear children. I hope you are well? As you can see from my writing, I am still well. I will write more again soon. Warmest greetings and kisses, your …”

Some individual words and portions of the final lines are difficult to decipher confidently from the handwriting, so this should be regarded as an approximate translation rather than a word-for-word transcription. The overall message is clearly personal correspondence home, mentioning his birthday, his wife/family and his well-being.

Historical Interest

This postcard combines several highly collectible areas:

• World War I German Feldpost
• Constantinople / Istanbul
• Ottoman Empire
• Sultan Mehmed V
• German military presence in Turkey
• German-Ottoman wartime alliance
• Ottoman military and ceremonial procession
• Original handwritten German soldier correspondence
• 1917 military postal markings

The front remains particularly attractive, with vivid Ottoman flags and an extensive street scene filled with soldiers, cavalry and civilians.

Condition

Original period postcard with age-appropriate wear, toning, handling and minor staining. The reverse is heavily written in period ink and retains clear military postal markings. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition.

You will receive the exact postcard shown.

A very displayable and historically interesting piece of WWI German-Ottoman military and postal history.

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