Ayntab – Printing Houses and Books
Author: Mihran A. Minassian, 07/03/26 (Last modified 07/03/26) - Translator: Simon Beugekian
Ayntab was considered one of the principal hubs of Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire. The city was known for its crafts and craftsmen, whose fame had spread across the country. Among the more developed crafts in Ayntab were coppersmithing, silversmithing, smelting, textile manufacturing, and embroidery.
The local Armenians were also active in the educational and cultural fields. The city was home to approximately ten Armenian schools; educational, philanthropic, associational, and cultural organizations; lecture halls; theater troupes; musical bands; etc.
One aspect of the vibrant cultural life of Ayntab Armenians was the field of printing. While the city’s contributions to this field, in terms of quantity and especially in terms of quality, were modest compared to other centers of Armenian population, nevertheless, even this small contribution has its special place in the history of Armenian printing and Armenian periodical press.
Five Armenian printing houses operated in Ayntab, which printed more than 25 books. Moreover, 31 or more handwritten, mimeograph, or printed periodicals and newspapers were published in the city.
Major sources of information on the history of Armenian printing in Ayntab include the two volumes of the authoritative Ayntab memory book, Kevork A. Sarafian’sBadmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots [History of the Armenians of Ayntab] [1]; Krikor Bogharian’s Ayntabagank; [2] issues of the periodicalHay Ayntab [Armenian Ayntab], published beginning in the 1960s (called Nor Ayntab[New Ayntab] since 1971); bibliographical lists of printed Armenian books and periodicals; Vahan Kyurkdjian’s memoirs, titledAzkayin Housher [National Memories]; [3] and other works. Another essential source on the topic is the report prepared by Father Karekin Bogharian, at the request of linguist Arshag Alboyadjian and dated October 21, 1914, which described Ayntab’s printing houses and their activities. [4]
The Armenian Printing Houses of Ayntab
1) The Yetemagan-Atenagan Society and Its Plans for a Printing House in Ayntab
The first attempt to establish a printing house in Ayntab was made by the Yetemagan-Atenagan Society, founded in 1874. This organization was founded by Vahan M. Kyurkdjian (Pagouran), Nazaret-Berdj Nersesian (Hilmi), and Rafayel-Haig Tertsagian. It operated under the auspices of the local boarding school.
At the suggestion of Vahan M. Kyurkdjian, the society planned to establish a printing house in Ayntab. [5] However, for reasons unknown to us, this plan never came to fruition.
2) The Central Turkey College Printing House
Central Turkey College was one of the best-known historical educational institutions of Ayntab. It was called “central” because geographically, the city of Ayntab sat at the exact center of the Ottoman Empire.
The college was founded on October 11, 1876, by American missionaries. It was housed in a beautiful and large building that stood on a hill near the city. The college offered instruction in catechism, the New Testament, mathematics, history, sociology; the Armenian, English, French, and Turkish languages; medicine; psychology; pedagogy; natural sciences; economy; music; and other subjects.
The college had a chemical laboratory, library, museum, and dormitories for boarding students and lecturers/missionaries. The pupils came from Ayntab, Cilicia, and many other places. Most were Armenian, but there were also a small number of Assyrian, Jewish, Greek, Kurdish, and Turkish students.
A total of 409 students graduated from Central Turkey College between 1880 and 1915, [6] most of them Armenian. Many of them became well-known figures in Armenian culture and the Armenian Church (according to another source, the number of total graduates was 393). [7]
Literary, athletic, students’, and graduates’ groups and organizations operated within the college.
The college also had a printing house, which printed many books and periodicals in Armenian, Armenian-lettered Turkish, and Turkish (Ottoman).
The printing house of Central Turkey College was the first printing house to operate in Ayntab, and the most prolific and productive in terms of the number of Armenian/Armenian-lettered books published.
The date of the founding of this printing house is unknown. According to the third director of the college, Dr. Merrill, the printing press was brought to Ayntab during the years of the founding of the college, meaning 1876-1878. [8] According to another source, the printing press arrived in Ayntab in the 1880s. [9]
Initially, the printing house had a treadle-operated press and a limited number of Armenian letter types. During the reign of Sultan Hamid, the printing house was shuttered and only produced the college’s own official documents and academic questionnaires. After the great fire at the college in 1890, the press and letter types were damaged, and the printing house lay idle. [10]
The small printing press “only produced small and innocent materials for internal use.” One day, probably in 1890, government officials entered the college and confiscated the disk that supplied the press with ink, [11] thus rendering the press entirely unusable.
According to a contemporary testimony, “… For years, the printing press has been rusting in a room for the same reason [the government’s proscription].” [12] Vahan M. Kyurkdjian was the first to enter the room in the college basement “where the printing press and the letter types, in their drawers, were collecting dust, awaiting an imperial edict.” Kyurkdjian was able to print a short poem using the press. Later, it was Movses Bezdjian, Professor Aleksan Bezdjian’s son, who was able to produce works of higher quality. [13]
It was only after the reinstatement of the Ottoman Constitution that it became possible to fully repair the broken printing press and obtain new letter types. Therefore, the year 1910 should be seen as the year of the revival of the printing house. [14]
Around the same time, Levon Roubian, an assistant teacher at the college, alongside students Krikor Boghosian, Sarkis Laleyan, and others, were busy sorting and arranging the letter types that had been rescued from the dust. Later, Boghosian and Laleyan were appointed as the general directors of the printing house. [15]
The official licensee of the printing house was Professor Nshan Baleozian, one of the college lecturers, and his name appeared in each printed book. The college executive board served as the founding body of the printing house, which was staffed by the college pupils, meaning that it had no permanent employees. First among these working pupils were Hovsep Bezdjian, Professor Aleksan Bezdjian’s son, and Sarkis Laleyan, another student at the college. Laleyan assumed the duties of typesetter and was sent to Beirut for some time to study how the printing houses of this city operated and gain expertise in the field. Upon his return to Ayntab, for three years or possibly more, he served as the head typesetter of the college printing house. At the time, the printing house had a treadle-operated printing press, [16]. It later obtained a second press. [17]
Sarkis Laleyan also served as the typographer of the printing house, while M. Antounian served as its head paginator. [18]
As previously mentioned, the college students worked at the printing house, which helped them pay their tuition fees. According to one testimony, “… The [college] graduates’ association helped needy students every year. The college, too, helped them by employing them in the newly established printing house and bindery, as well as in other capacities. For example, in the last academic year, 1913-1914, a total of 730,000 pages were printed by the college printing house, and 659 books and 25,397 exercise books were bound, providing employment for 28 students.” [19]
Linguist Arshag Alboyadjian asserted that the printing house printed its first Armenian book in 1908, but this statement is incorrect, as we will explain below. According to Alboyadjian, the printing house “not only operated almost exclusively for Armenians, but was also managed by Armenians.” [20]
We do not know of any works produced by the printing house during the years of the First World War. After the Armistice, the printing house resumed operations, printing several Armenian books and booklets in 1919-1921. In 1919, the printing house also printed the Armenian and Ottoman-Turkish bidaily newspaper, Rahvira (رهنما).
Aside from the books and booklets listed below, the printing house also printed the college newsletters, in Armenian, Armenian-lettered Turkish, Ottoman Turkish, and English; notebooks containing the yearly exams at the college; letterheads; invitations; tickets; and other small works. [21]
After the forced expulsion of Armenians from Ayntab and Cilicia, the printing press and equipment of the printing house were moved to Aleppo, where, in 1924-1925, the printing house was revived under the name of “College Printing House.” It published numerous books, periodicals, and other works. But the history of the printing house in this later period is outside the scope of this article. [22]
Nshan S. Baleozian
He was born in Sepasdia in 1873. He received his early education there, then attended Central Turkey College. After graduating from the college, he worked as a teacher at the American secondary school in Sepasdia. From the time he settled down in Ayntab in 1898 to 1915, he served as a teacher at Central Turkey College. In 1915, he was deported, and found refuge in Aleppo, where he taught mathematics at the Turkish secondary school. During the years of the Armenian Genocide, one of his four children was killed. In March 1921, he emigrated to New York, where he lived for the rest of his life, and where he died on December 8, 1923. His collection of articles, titled Tsayn Mu Antsyalen (Gyanki Khoher) [A Voice from the Past (Thoughts on Life)], was published posthumously (New York, 1927, 239 pages). [23]
Sarkis Laleyan
A native of Ayntab. In 1915, he was deported and reached Deir ez-Zor, then Shaddadah, and was saved by a miracle from the massacres of 1916. “They made an adventure out of their escape, hungry and half-naked, using unknown roads, swimming across streams, and eventually finding shelter in Deir ez-Zor, then Aleppo and Ayntab.” [24] The night before the massacre of Shaddadah, Laleyan was able to escape with his friend Dikran Djebedjian, thanks to a compass that he carried, and which was a gift from Central Turkey College. Guided by this compass, the two friends made their way out of the danger zone. [25]
After reaching Aleppo, from 1925 to 1935, Laleyan served as the typographer of the College Printing House, the name given to the printing house after it was moved to Aleppo. [26]
He published a book about Adour Levonian, one of the leaders of the battle for the self-defense of Ayntab, titledHoushamadyan Nvirvadz Adour H. Levoniani. Inknagensakroutyun yev Trvakner Ir Gyanken yev Kordzen[Memory Book Dedicated to Adour H. Levonian. Autobiography and Episodes from his Life and Work] (Beirut, 1967, 336 pages).
Armenian and Armenian-Lettered Books and Other Works Printed by the Central Turkey College Printing House
1) Vahan Kyurkdjian’s Poem
As previously mentioned, Vahan Kyurkdjian was the first to enter the room in the college basement where the printing press and letter types “were collecting dust, awaiting an imperial edict.” Then, “thanks to self-education, he successfully” printed three or four copies of a short poem. Kyurkdjian himself described the publication as “unrefined, like the early publications of ‘guilty’ Hagop.” [27] The poem was printed a short time before 1896.
2) Movses Bezdjian’s Publications
After Vahan Kyurkdjian’s inaugural attempt at printing, Movses Bezdjian, Prof. Aleksan Bezdjian’s son, printed several works, all of them related to the college, and “always secretly.” [28] These prints were relatively neat.
These works were printed a short time before 1896.
3) "Ilahiler Ile Makamlaru" [Hymns and Their Authors]
Mostly in Armenian-lettered Turkish, with a small segment in Armenian. Printed by “M. T. C.” [Matbaa Turkiya College or “Printing House of [Central] Turkey College”]. The book featured a combination of printed and handwritten pages. Published in 1898, 119 pages, size: 13.8 x 16.8 cm.
This book was a collection of hymns, most in Armenian-lettered Turkish and some in Armenian. For each hymn, alongside the lyrics, European musical notes were provided.
4) "Anklerene Hayadar Trkeren Parkrkuyg Marashi Aghchgants Varjaranin Hamar" [Armenian-Lettered Phrase Book of English for the Girls’ School of Marash]
Ayntab, printed by the Central Turkey College Printing House. [29]
According to another source, the book was printed by the Havadis Printing House in 1911. [30]
5) "Martgayin Sirdu" [The Human Heart]
In Ottoman Turkish and Armenian-lettered Turkish. Translation from German. Ayntab, printed by the Central Turkey College Printing House. [31]
According to another source, the book was printed by the Havadis Printing House in 1911. [32]
6) "Mebadi i Fenn i Mousiki" [The Principles of Musical Art]
By an unidentified author. Written in Armenian-lettered Turkish and English. Licensee: Prof. N. S. Baleozian, Ayntab, printed by the Central Turkey College Printing House (Matbaa Turkiya Collegi), 1911, 16 pages, size: 10.3 x 15.2 cm, price: 2 kurus
This was a musical monograph, which also provided English translations of numerous Turkish words.
7) "Kilisalar ve Tebshiri Besharet" [The Churches and the Tidings of Epiphany]
Author: J. C. Martin. In Armenian-lettered Turkish, Ayntab, printed by the Central Turkey College Printing House. [33]
Another source claims alternately that this book was published by the Havadis Printing House and by the Central Turkey College Printing House. This source gives the date of publication as 1911. [34]
8) Ilmi Hisab [Mathematical Sciences]
Author: Prof. Loutfi Babigian. In Armenian-lettered Turkish, Ayntab, printed by the Central Turkey College Printing House. [35] According to another source, it was printed by the Havadis Printing House, in 1911. [36]
This was probably the first edition of the same author’s Yeni Ilm i Hisab (Ayntab, printed by the Central Turkey College Printing House, 1915).
Prof. Loutfi Babigian
He was born in Ayntab, in 1883. After graduating from Central Turkey College in 1905, he left for the United States, where for three years he attended classes at the Yale Sheffield Scientific School and graduated as a mining expert and geologist. He then spent another two years in the western United States. Upon his return to Ayntab, he taught algebra, geometry, and geology at Central Turkey College, while also conducting research on metal ores in Ayntab. He published a book in Ottoman Turkish, titled Madeniyat. He was deported to Deir ez-Zor in 1915, where he was martyred. [37]
9) "Deort Indjillerin Myutabakatu" [Reconciling the Four Gospels]
Author: L. Livingstone. Translator: Reverend Mibar Mncherian. In Armenian-lettered Turkish, Ayntab, printed by the Central Turkey College Printing House. [38]
Another source claims alternately that this book was published by the Havadis Printing House and by the Central Turkey College Printing House. [39]
Reverend Mibar H. Mnchertian
A native of Yarpuz, born in 1865. He was the pastor of the Armenian Protestant community of Gesaria. [40]
10) "Ilmi Talim" [The Science of Pedagogy]
Author: Prof. Sarkis Levonian. In Armenian-lettered Turkish, printed by the Central Turkey College Printing House, number 1. Licensee: Prof. N. S. Baleozian. Ayntab, 1912, 37 pages, size: 9.3 x 14.2 cm, price: 1 kurus
Prof. Sarkis Levonian
He was born in 1851, in Ayntab, where he received his primary education in the school of his father, Asdvadzadour “Khalfe.” In 1870, he began attending the lyceum of Marash, from which he graduated in 1873. He then studied natural sciences and mathematics in the United States. After returning to his homeland, Ayntab, he taught mathematics, zoology, and botany at Central Turkey College, while at the same time serving in responsible positions within the local Evangelical community. He was killed by a mob of Turks on April 15, 1909, in Osmaniye, during the massacres of Cilicia, while attempting to leave for Adana with a group of other ministers to participate in the summit of the Armenian Evangelical Union. [41]
11) "Collegin Tesisi ve Tarikihi" [The Founding and History of the College]
Author: Prof. H. A. Bezdjian (Hagop Aleksan Bezdjian). In Armenian-lettered Turkish, printed by the Central Turkey College Printing House, number 2, licensee: Prof. N. S. Baleozian. Ayntab, 1913, 4 unnumbered pages, 18 pages, size: 9.3 x 14.2 cm, price: 1 kurus
This book contained the speech delivered by Prof. H. A. Bezdjian on October 11, 1912, on the occasion of the anniversary of the founding of the college, focusing mostly on its founding and early years. The speech concluded with an approximate tally of pupils and graduates.
Prof. Hagop-Aleksan Bezdjian
He was born on April 19, 1837, in Ayntab, where he received his primary education. He was sent to the Bebek Secondary School (Constantinople) in 1852 to continue his education and studied there for four-and-a-half years. In 1856-1866, he taught at the Ayntab Secondary School (Mr. Schneider’s lyceum of Cilicia) and served as the head of the school’s scientific section. He then moved to Marash with the school. Afterwards, he was sent to the United States and attended classes at Yale University. He returned to Ayntab in 1874 and dedicated himself to teaching. He served as a teacher for long years at Central Turkey College. He died on February 9, 1913. [42]. He published a collection of his articles, titled Prof. H. A. Bezdjian Ve Baze Eserleri [Prof. H. A. Bezdjian and Some of His Works], Aleppo, College Printing House, 1932, C., 465, 3 unfinished pages.
12) "Sharkun Christiyan Kilisalaru" [The Christian Churches of the East]
Author: Very Reverend Georgi Shemmas. In Armenian-lettered Turkish. Published by Central Turkey College, numbers 3 and 4, licensee: Prof. N. S. Baleozian, Ayntab, Central Turkey College Printing House, 1913, 58 pages, size: 9.3 x 14.2 cm, price: 2 kurus
The author wrote this book to present it to the Cilicia Protestant Union.
The book explored the historical Christian churches of the East. The author first focused on their origins, then presented more details on each under different chapters. [43]
Very Reverend Georgi Shemmas
The Assyrian pastor of the Protestant Church of Urfa. He was martyred in 1909 during the massacres of Cilicia, in Osmaniye, alongside Prof. Sarkis Levonian and his friends.
13) "Doukhouliye Imtihan Souallaru" [The Questions of Entry Exams]
The original version was in Armenian-lettered Turkish, Ottoman Turkish, Armenian, and English. Published by Central Turkey College, number 5, license: Prof. N. S. Baleozian, Ayntab, Central Turkey College Printing House, 1913 [1914], 25 pages, 3 unnumbered pages, size: 9.3 x 14.2 cm, price: 1 kurus. It contained the questions of the college entry exams, as approved by the institution’s faculty on October 10, 1913
The Ilan or announcement printed on the unnumbered fourth page, at the end of the book, is dated March 1914, which allows us to deduce that the publication of the book had perhaps begun in 1913, but proceeded into 1914.
The book contained the questions of the entry exams of the subjects taught at the college. The questionnaires were provided separately, and included those for Ottoman Turkish, Armenian, English, the study of the Holy Bible, mathematics, geography, algebra, natural sciences, natural geography, history, Armenian history, and Ottoman history.
The book was formatted in question-and-answer format.
14) "Yakoub Der Krikorian Zikrine" [In Memory of Yakoub Der Krikorian]
Author: Prof. J.[esse] S. Matosian. In Armenian-lettered Turkish, published by Central Turkey College, number 6, licensee: Prof. N. S. Baleozian, Ayntab, Central Turkey College Printing House, 1914, 9 pages, 2 unnumbered pages, size: 9.3 x 14.2 cm, price: 1 kurus
The book contained the speech delivered by Prof. Jesse Matosian on October 11, 1911, on the anniversary of the founding of the college, dedicated to the memory of Yakoub Der Krikorian, who was killed on August 31, 1912.
Prof. Jesse Matosian
He was born in 1873, in Ayntab. He graduated from the local Central Turkey College. In 1900, he left for the United States, where for four years he attended classes at the state normal school in Bridgewater (Massachusetts), and for another year attended classes at Yale University. He returned to Ayntab in 1905 and taught psychology, pedagogy, English, and natural sciences at Central Turkey College. He was deported from Ayntab, alongside his family, on August 31, 1915, and was killed in Deir ez-Zor in 1916. [44]
15) "Collegin Ilk Reyisi Doctor Tillman C. Trowbridge Zikrine" [In Memory of Doctor Tillman C. Trowbridge, First President of the College]
Author: Prof. H. A. Bezdjian. In Armenian-lettered Turkish, published by Central Turkey College, number 7, licensee: Prof. N. S. Baleozian, Ayntab, Central Turkey College Printing House, 1914, 2 unnumbered pages, 24 pages, size: 9.3 x 14.2 cm, price: 1 kurus.
The book contained the speech delivered by Prof. H. A. Bezdjian in June 1889, in memory of Dr. Trowbridge, to the Cilician United Council. Twenty-five years later, on October 11, 1913, on the occasion of the anniversary of the founding of the college, Prof. Bezdjian’s son, Prof. Zenop A. Bezdjian, delivered this same speech once again.
16) "Shrchanavardk Vartanian Grtarani Ayntab" [Graduates of the Vartanian Institute of Ayntab]
Published by the Graduates’ Association of the Vartanian Institute, number 1. Ayntab, Central Turkey College Printing House, 1914, 16 pages and a one-page insert, size: 9.2 x 14 cm .
The book contained a list of the graduates of the Vartanian Institute between 1888 and 1913, in addition to their birthplaces and details on their lives after graduation.
The Vartanian Institute
Founded on February 1, 1882, by the Vartanian Society. It initially had an enrollment of 25 pupils. Two years later, enrollment climbed to 100. [45] Kalousd Agha Nazarian’s financial contributions played an important role in the establishment of the institute. [46] The Vartanian Institute had a rich library. It continued to operate until 1915 and gifted a large number of graduates to the nation, who played important roles in educational and spiritual life, both in Ayntab and beyond it. Examples include Coadjutor Catholicos Papken Gyuleserian, Archbishop Shahe Kasbarian, Archimandrite Paren Melkonian, and others.
17) "Yeni Ilm i Hisab" [New Mathematics]
Author: Loutfi H. Babigian, professor of mathematics at Central Turkey College. Armenian-lettered Turkish, second part, second edition. Ayntab, Central Turkey College Printing House, 1915, 7 unnumbered pages, 184 pages, size: 9.4 x 14.2 cm.
The first edition of the book was a mimeograph edition.
The book contained geometric figures, and between pages 15 and 16 was an unnumbered insert presenting the Pythagorasn djedveli – the Pythagorean tables.
This was a mathematics textbook for primary and secondary schools, divided into seven chapters, with each chapter divided into separate sections. The chapters covered the four arithmetic operations, fractions, roots, etc.
18) "Gronaknnagan Gark mu Hartsoumnerou Drvadz Badaskhanner" [Answers to a Series of Theological Questions]
Author: K. A. S. (Prof. Krikor A. Sarafian). The author’s full name does not appear in the book, but he was later identified by Sarkis Laleyan, who worked at the printing house. [47] Ayntab, Central Turkey College Printing House, 1919, 16 pages, size: 12.6 x 15.1 cm .
The book had seven subheadings, including: “To what did Jesus owe the nobility of his moral ministry?” “Why did Jesus call the heathens ‘dogs’ if he was a Divine being?” and “What is the position of Christianity on self-defense, given Matthew 5:39?” etc.
On November 9, 1919, a lecture hosted by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) club of Ayntab was described as an event held “with the aim of clarifying the dark and thorny questions on religious issues that have exercised the minds of some youths.”
Krikor A. Sarafian
He was born on June 20, 1880, in Ayntab. For two years, he attended the Nersesian School. After working as a weaver for ten years, in 1901, he returned to his former school, then attended the Atenagan School, from which he graduated in 1903. He then graduated from Central Turkey College in 1909. In 1913, he graduated from the Divinity School of Yale University. In 1914, he left for Holy Etchmiadzin, aiming to become an expert in the history and rites of the Armenian Apostolic Church, then returned to Ayntab and taught at the Cilician Lyceum. During the years of the Armenian Genocide, he was deported, reaching the areas of Hama and Salamiyah. After the Armistice, he returned to his birthplace for a short time, then emigrated to Fresno. He contributed to the Armenian press. He was the author of several books, in Armenian and English. He died in 1966. [48]
19) "Hokevor Yerkaran" [Spiritual Hymnbook]
In Armenian and Armenian-lettered Turkish. Ayntab, Central Turkey College Printing House, 1919.
This was a collection of 81 Armenian and 70 Armenian-lettered Turkish hymns. [49]
20) "Mes’oud Eomr"
This book’s full title was Mes’oud Bir Eomr Yashamat Uchun: Myumyunin Bilmesi ve Riayet Etmesi Lazum Gelen Hakikatlar [Happy Life: The Truths that Believers Must Know and Take into Consideration to Live a Happy Life].The author and translator were not identified. In Armenian-lettered Turkish. Ayntab, College Matbaasu [College Printing House], 1919, 107, 1 unnumbered page, size: 9.5 x 14.9 cm, price: 5 kurus. The book was translated into English in 1918 [50].
3) The Two Unsuccessful Attempts by Vahan M. Kyurkdjian to Establish a Printing House in Ayntab
Author, linguist, and educational and public advocate Vahan M. Kyurkdjian (1863-1961) made two unsuccessful attempts to establish a printing house in Ayntab, about which he wrote extensively in his memoirs.
By his own admission, “the establishment of a printing house in Ayntab was a goal of my life since the days of my teenage years,” [51] And in fact, in his youth, he spared no effort to achieve his goal. Unfortunately, he failed.
In the autumn of 1886, Kyurkdjian, who was the principal of the Vartanian Institute of Ayntab, resigned from his position and left for Constantinople with the aim of obtaining permission to establish his printing house. Before his departure, he had also visited the provincial capital, Aleppo, to lay the groundwork for his project with the local authorities.
Kyurkdjian traveled to Constantinople carrying a recommendation letter from the famous Turkish poet from Ayntab, Hasurdju Zade Ahmed Efendi, which he had obtained thanks to the Nazaretians, a prominent Armenian family in Ayntab. The letter was addressed to Myunif Pasha, the minister of education and a native of Ayntab. Kyurkdjian, as a compatriot, presented a gift of “Ayntab confectionaries” – sharots, basdegh, tarkhana, etc. – to Myunif Pasha.
The pasha praised Kyurkdjian’s initiative as an important step to bring progress to his birthplace, and as a token of his support, provided Kyurkdjian with the following telegram to relay:
“To the governorship of Aleppo,
“Mr. Vahan Kyurkdjian, a resident of Ayntab, has submitted a petition to establish a printing press in the city to print books in Turkish and Armenian. Inform us if there are any objections against this project. Myunif.”
Kyurkdjian personally sent the telegram to Aleppo. Following a delay of months, the response of the Mejlis Idare (local executive council) of Aleppo reached Constantinople, stating that “there has never been a printing house at that location, and there is no need for one now.” With this official rejection, Kyurkdjian’s first attempt to establish a printing house in Ayntab had failed. [52]
After this setback, Kyurkdjian left for England, where he stayed for four-five months, then returned to Ayntab and traveled to the interior of Cilicia. In 1890, he once again traveled to Aleppo, with the aim of establishing his printing press there, because, as he said, “We thought that opening an Armenian printing house in an Arab city would seem less objectionable to the government, and it would be easy to move it to Ayntab in the future.” This proved to be incorrect, as Governor Hassan Hakku Pasha, who had been reassigned from Van to Aleppo, after reading Kyurkdjian’s petition, responded thus:
“My son, this is not Armenia. If you’d like to set up an Armenian printing house, go to Armenia.” [53]
Thus, Kyurkdjian’s second and final attempt to establish a printing house in Ayntab also ended with failure.
Vahan M. Kyurkdjian (Pagouran)
He was born in Aleppo, on November 19, 1863. During his childhood, his entire family moved to Ayntab, where he was a student of Teacher Haroutyun Boshgezenian. He then attended the boarding school of Cilicia in 1873-1877, after which he taught at the Nersesian School. Between 1880 and 1884, he studied at Central Turkey College. He was among the founders of the Vartanian Institute and served as its principal. From 1897 to 1904, he served as the director of the Armenian orphanage of Cyprus. After settling down permanently in the United States, he attended classes at Harvard University in Boston and graduated in 1910 from a local university as a lawyer. For many years, he was active in the ranks of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and other Armenian organizations. He contributed to the Armenian press. He published 14 books in Armenian and English, mostly literary and historical works. He died on October 20, 1961, in New York. [54]
4) Avedis (Alishan) Khandzedian and His Friends’ Commercial Printing House
In 1909, Avedis (Alishan) Khandzedian (Khanzedian), with a few friends, created a commercial cooperative company called Avedis Khandzedian and Company. Alongside Khandzedian, its founders were Toros Byulbyulian, Khoren Varjabedian, Hagop Kabbendjian, and Nazar Kvurian, most of whom were former pupils of the Vartanian Institute. On the busiest avenue of Ayntab, Su Burdju, they opened a small grocery and retail store, known popularly as “the maghaza [shop] of the Dashnaks [ARF members],” as most of its owners and operators were members of the ARF. A year later, some of the partners left the company, leaving only Khandzedian and Varjabedian, who on March 8, 1911, obtained a printing press and founded the Commercial Printing House (Tijaret Matbaa), which initially operated with only one hand-operated press. [55]
As the company directors were unfamiliar with printing, they invited an acquaintance who had previously worked at the printing house of Central Turkey College to join them. This former pupil served as a typesetter for some time. Then, in 1913, one of the former members of the consortium traveled to Aleppo and obtained partial expertise in printing. He returned to Ayntab with a second printing press, larger than the first and treadle-operated.
The first student to work at the newly founded publishing house was Krikor N. Baronian. [56]
As previously mentioned, the printing house had two printing presses, one of which printed pages measuring 22 x 32 cm in size, and the other printed pages measuring 35 x 45 cm in size. The latter was the largest printing press in Ayntab and the “most productive in terms of commercial material.” [57]
The printing house initially had significant success. But later, as a result of the economic crisis precipitated by the Balkan War, it was unable to collect payments amounting to 5,000-6,000 Ottoman pounds. The head of the printing house left for the United States, the company was dissolved, and the printing house was shuttered. [58]
According to a contemporary, the variety of Armenian, Turkish, and French publications printed by this printing house was larger compared to the printing house of Central Turkey College; and these printed publications were “as neat as possible.”
This printing house printed letterheads, invitations, certifications, tickets, visiting cards, various documents for the local chapters of the Ottoman Bank and large retailers, programs, gilded wedding invitations, etc. [59]
Upon his return from deportation in 1919, Varjabedian was able to recover the company’s printing presses, re-established the printing house, and continued serving customers until the beginning of the self-defense battles of Ayntab (April 1, 1920). [60]
In addition to the Armenian books listed below, in 1914, this printing house printed two issues of the Armenian-lettered Turkish monthly Hakikat; as well as two medical books in Turkish, BayramzadeHadji Abdullah Efendi’s Cholera and Aghzu Dyudyuklyu Mikroblar. [61]
Avedis (Alishan) Khandzedian (Khanzedian)
He was born in Gyurin in 1883. He lost his father in 1896 and moved with his mother to Ayntab. In 1903, he graduated from the local Vartanian Institute. [62] He was a member of the graduates’ association of the Vartanian Institute, [63] as well as the ARF. On July 6, 1915, he was among the first group of Armenians to be arrested in Ayntab. He was dragged from one prison to another – Beredjik, Urfa, and eventually Aleppo, where he died in prison in 1916. [64]
Khoren Varjabedian (Hrayr, Babayan)
He was born in Ayntab in 1882, to a father from Urfa and a mother who was a native of Ayntab. After attending the local Nersesian School for a few years, he began attending the Atenagan School in 1893. In 1898, he graduated from the Vartanian Institute, then attended Central Turkey College and worked at the Vartanian and Nersesian schools. [65] He was a member of the ARF and transported weapons and ammunition from Aleppo to Ayntab. [66] He was arrested on July 6, 1915, and imprisoned in Aleppo. He was initially sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to 101 years of imprisonment. He was released in March 1917 and was able to make his way to Hama. [67] He was a member of the military committee that organized the self-defense battles of Ayntab. He died on August 5, 1920, from tuberculosis, after suffering for seven months. [68]
Nazar Kvurian
He transported weapons and ammunition from Aleppo to Ayntab. [69]
Hagop Kabbendjian
He was born in Ayntab in 1889. He graduated from Vartanian Institute in 1903. He served as a teacher for two years, then began working as a merchant’s scribe until 1915, at which point he and his entire family were deported to Hama. He returned to Ayntab in 1918. As a member of the Central Military Committee, he made practical contributions to the self-defense battles of the city. He left Ayntab before the final expulsion of Armenians from Cilicia, finding shelter in Damascus, where he continued to play a prominent role in Armenian life. He died on December 9, 1973. He was a talented writer. [70]
The Armenian Books Printed by the Commercial Printing House
1) "Shrchaperagan Gontag Oughvadz Giligian Djemarani" [Edict, in the Form of a Circular, to the Cilician Lyceum]
Author: Catholicos Sahag II Khabayan, Ayntab, Commercial Printing House, 14 November 1911, 1 large page.
This publication contained Catholicos Sahag II’s edict, dated 11 August 1913 and numbered 237, issued to the Cilician Lyceum to mark the occasion of its official founding. It was reprinted inGiligian Djemaran Ayntab-Giligia. Arachin Deghegakir 1912-194 [Cilician Lyceum Ayntab-Cilicia. First Report 1912-1914], Constantinople, H. Madteosian Printing House, 1914, pp. 3-6. [71]
2) "Hamarod Haydakir Giligian Djemarani" [Abridged Program of the Cilician Lyceum]
First edition, Ayntab, Commercial Printing House, Avedis Khandzegian and Company, 1912.
This program, in the form of a circular, was sent to all dioceses, “informing them of the numbers of scholarship students who would be accepted from each diocese, as long as the applicable diocese covered their boarding costs…” [72]
The same work was reprinted in 1914.
3) "Himnagan Ganonakir Vartanian Untatsavardits Miyoutian" [Foundational Bylaws of the Vartanian Graduates’ Association] (Founded 9/22 January 1913)
Published by the Vartanian Graduates’ Association, Ayntab, Commercial Printing House, 1913, 4 unnumbered pages, size: 9.8 x 15.8 cm.
This work contained the bylaws of the Vartanian Graduates’ Association, divided into separate chapters.
The Vartanian Graduates’ Association/Association of Graduates of Vartanian
Founded on 9/22 January 1913, by graduates of the Vartanian Institute of Ayntab. [73]
The association’s goal was to “contribute to the intellectual and moral development” of graduates. To achieve this, the association organized beneficial lectures and published useful works.
The association allocated 10 percent of its income to miscellaneous costs and publications. [74]
4) "Haydararoutyun yev Hraver Ayntabi Giligian Djemarani Varchoutyan" [Announcement and Invitation from the Board of Trustees of the Cilician Lyceum of Ayntab]
Published by the board of trustees of the Cilician Lyceum, Ayntab, Commercial Printing House, 21 September 1913, 1 page, size: 17.8 x 20.6 cm .
This was an announcement by the board of trustees of the Cilician Lyceum, stating that the opening ceremony of the institution would take place on 13/26 October 1913, presided by His Holiness Papken Srpazan [Gyuleserian], Prelate of Kaghadia (Ankara).
The announcement urged the public to financially and morally support the event.
5) "Hamarod Haydakir Giligian Djemarani Ayntab" [Abridged Program of the Cilician Lyceum of Ayntab]
Published by the Cilician Lyceum, number 2, Ayntab, Commercial Printing House (Avendis Khadzedian and Company), 1914. [75]
5) Kevork S. Balian’s Printing House
Founded in 1911. [76]
Father Karekin Bogharian’s report/letter to Arshag Alboyadjian, dated 21 October 1914, provides unique information on this printing house, which we reproduce here.
The young Kevork Balian, seeing the Khandzedian Printing House operating in the city, had a printing press built with local resources and then operated it for a year, sometimes in partnership with Sahatdji Rushdi Khodja and sometimes with other Turkish partners. Balian was not acquainted with the craft of printing and did not know typesetting, but was the commissioner and operator of the printing press. About him, Father Karekin Bogharian said: “… He lasted barely a year, limping along. As the [printing] press was bult mostly of wood, parts of it would expand in the summer, and other things would happen in the winter. They could not produce a proper publication, and eventually they gave up…” [77]
Until 1913, this printing house printed the wires of the Ottoman news agency, called Osmanlu Agence or Telegraph Havadisler. [78]
6) Havadis Printing House
It belonged to a local Turk, Rushdi Khodja, also known as Sahatdji Rushdi Efendi. This was his private enterprise. In 1912, Rushdi Efendi brought a small European printing press to Ayntab and founded the Havadis Matbaasun or Havadis Printing House. This was the fourth printing house to be established in Ayntab. By trade, Khodja was a watch repairer and seller, but also sold books and “had one or two apprentices at his disposal to run his printing business.” [79]
According to Father Karekin Bogharian’s letter/report dated 21 October 1914, this printing house printed the wires of the Ottoman news agency, called Osmanlu Agence or Telegraph Havadisler. It also printed the announcements of the local authorities and the local chapter of the Ittihad Party.
This printing house only had Arabic letter types. [80] Nevertheless, Armenian sources mention several Armenian works that were printed by it, for which reason we list it among the Armenian printing houses of Ayntab.
7) Plans to Establish a Printing House at the Cilician Lyceum
After the founding of the Cilician Lyceum (13/26 October 1913), a fundraiser was held, and two natives of Ayntab who lived in Egypt and had graduated from the Vartanian Institute, merchant Haroutyun Djebedjian (and his brother Armenag) and Dr. Nazaret Kechedjian, [81] promised to gift a printing press to the lyceum. Linguist Krikor Bogharian considered it likely that the press they planned to present to the lyceum was the same one used by the printing house founded by Vahan Kyurkdjian in Cyprus in 1897. In 1904, this press, thanks to Vahan Kyurkdjian’s intercession, was sold to the Lousaper newspaper of Cairo and shipped to this city. The two donors had been pupils of Kyurkdjian at the Vartanian Institute of Ayntab, and after the latter’s move to Cairo, had supported and helped him there. [82]
On one occasion, the board of trustees of the lyceum, commenting on the institution’s various needs, stated: “Priorities and needs … We suggest establishing a special printing house for the lyceum to print the faculty’s works, the Giligia student newspaper, and the institution’s various internal publications. A total of 400-500 pounds is necessary for this project, [83] and we have asked for the public’s assistance.”
If it weren’t for the events of 1915, this project would probably have come to fruition.
Cilician Lyceum (Cilician Secondary Boarding School)
It was founded on 13/26 October 1912. In that same year, it had an enrollment of 55 pupils. However, its official opening ceremony was not held until 13/26 October 1913, alongside the closing ceremonies of the jubilee of the invention of Armenian letters and the birth of Armenian printing. The school had a boarding section, a football team, etc. Its principal was Armenag Chamichian. The school had a short life, surviving only until 1915. [84]
8) Pyuzant Topalian Printing House
Poet Pyuzant Topalian, after the battles for the self-defense of Ayntab in 1920-1921, bought a hand-operated printing press from an Armenian, established a printing house, and “… Putting together their [sic] modest experience as typesetters, they began printing commercial, academic, and organizational documents; as well as official papers, announcements, and tickets…” [85]
Apparently, this printing house did not print books or booklets. Rather, it focused exclusively on publications of a more practical nature.
Pyuzant Topalian
He was born in 1902 in Ayntab, where he received his education at the Nersesian School. In 1915, he was spared deportation, as his father was a government employee. After the expulsion of Armenians from Ayntab, he lived for some time in Aleppo, where between 1924 and 1930, with his brother Hampartsoum, he operated the Araks Printing House and printed more than 30 Armenian books. In 1930, he emigrated to Paris, where he continued working as a printer, and reestablishing a printing house of the same name, printed dozens of Armenian books. [86] He published six volumes of his own poems and two collections in French. Alongside his work in printing and literature, he was also a painter whose works were exhibited in several exhibitions. He died in Paris in 1970. [87]
In 1921, after the forced expulsion of Armenians from Ayntab, the printing presses of two of the three local printing houses were transported to Aleppo, [88], one of which was a small press with very few letter types. This press was used in Aleppo by the Cherchian Printing House-Bookshop, and later, by the Djizmedjian Printing House. The specific printing house in Ayntab from which this printing press came remains unknown. [89]
- [1] Kevork A. Sarafian (editor and compiler), Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots[History of the Armenians of Ayntab], Union of Ayntab Armenians Living in America, Los Angeles (California, United States), 1953, volume 1: 32, 1088 pages; volume 2: 32, 806 pages.
- [2] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1: The Contribution of the people of Ayntab to Printing, the Armenian Press, Armenian Literature, and Armenian Culture, Beirut, Atlas Press, 1974, 260 pages; and
- volume 2: Memorials, Obituaries, Eulogies, and Biographical Notes, Atlas Press, 1974 (given as 1975 on the cover), 751 pages, 1 unnumbered page.
- [3] Published with interruptions in the weekly Hayasdani Gochnag [Clarion of Armenia], New York, year 28, number 4, 28 January 1928-year 58, 20 September 1958, number 38.
- [4] Published in his son Krikor Bogharian’s above-mentioned work (Ayntabagank), volume 1, pp. 17-21.
- [5] V. M. Kyurkdjian, Azkayin Housher. Bzdig Votisagan mu, yev Ange Hedo [National Memories. A Small Odyssey, and What Happened Afterwards], see Hayasdani Gochnag, New York, year 28, number 48, 1 December 1928, p. 1517; ibid., year 37, number 22, 29 May 1937, p. 528; and Krikor Bogharian, “Atenagan School,” in Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, p. 740.
- [6] Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, p. 846.
- [7] Kr.[ikor] H. Kalousdian [Giligetsi], Marash gam Kermanig yev Heros Zeytoun [Marash or Kermanig and Heroic Zeytoun],published by the Executive Board of the Marash Compatriotic Union, New York (United States of America), Gochnag Printing House, 1934, p. 503.
- [8] S.[arkis] Laleyan, “Printing House of the C. T. College,” see Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 22.
- [9] Based on the letter dated 21 October 1914, from Arshag Alboyadjian to Father Karekin Bogharian; and Krikor Bogharian’s comments on the letter. See Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, pp. 17-18.
- [10] S.[arkis] Laleyan, “Printing House of C. T. College,” see Krikor Bogharian,Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 22. Also see the letter dated 21 October 1914, from Arshag Alboyadjian to Father Karekin Bogharian; and Krikor Bogharian’s comments on the letter, Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, pp. 17-18.
- [11] Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, p. 821.
- [12] V. M. Kyurkdjian, “National Memories. Outside the College,” Hayasdani Gochnag, year 28, number 34, 25 August 1928, p. 1072.
- [13] V. M. Kyurkdjian, Azkayin Housher. Bzdig Votisagan mu…, p. 1517.
- [14] S.[arkis] Laleyan, “Printing House of C. T. College,” see Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 22. Also see the letter dated 21 October 1914, from Arshag Alboyadjian to Father Karekin Bogharian; and Krikor Bogharian’s comments on the letter, Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, pp. 17-18.
- [15] S.[arkis] Laleyan, “Printing House of C. T. College,” see Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 24.
- [16] The letter dated 21 October 1914, from Arshag Alboyadjian to Father Karekin Bogharian; and Krikor Bogharian’s comments on the letter, Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, pp. 17-18.
- [17] Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, p. 845.
- [18] Kr.[ikor] H. Kalousdian [Giligetsi], Marash gam Kermanig…, p. 509.
- [19] Ibid., p. 504.
- [20] Arshag Alboyadjian, “Armenians and Printing,” Hairenik Monthly, Boston, year 10, number 9 (117), July 1932, p. 89.
- [21] The letter dated 21 October 1914, from Arshag Alboyadjian to Father Karekin Bogharian; and Krikor Bogharian’s comments on the letter, Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 19.
- [22] For more on the College Printing House of Aleppo, see Haig Barigian and Hovnan Varjabedian, Badmoutyun Sourio Hay Dbarannerou [History of the Armenian Printing Houses of Syria], published by the AGBU Bibliographical Committee, Aleppo, 1973, pp. 26-29. This source also provides a list of the 22 books printed by this printing house.
- [23] Tsayn mu Antsyalen (Gyanki Khoher) [A Voice from the Past (Meditations on Life), New York, 1927, pp. 7-10; also see Kr.[ikor] H. Kalousdian [Giligetsi], Marash gam Kermanig…, p. 508.
- [24] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 2, p. 714.
- [25] Dikran Djebedjian, Abrvadz Orer Hayasbanoutenen (Deir Zor, 1915) [The Days of Armenocide Survived (Deir ez-Zor, 1915)],Aleppo, published by the Violet Djebedjian Library, 2001, pp. 19-21.
- [26] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 28.
- [27] V. M. Kyurkdjian, Azkayin Housher. Bzdig Votisagan mu…, p. 1517.
- [28] Ibid.
- [29] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 20.
- [30] Hasmig A. Sdepanian, Hayadar Tourkeren Krkeri yev Hayadar Tourkeren Barperagan Mamouli Madenakidoutyun (1727-1968) [Bibliography of Armenian-Lettered Turkish Books and the Armenian-Lettered Turkish Periodical Press (1727-1968)], Constantinople, 2005, p. 317.
- [31] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 20, number 8.
- [32] Hasmig A. Sdepanian, Hayadar Tourkeren Krkeri…, p. 317.
- [33] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 20.
- [34] H. A. Sdepanian, Hayadar Tourkeren Krkeri Madenakroutyun 1727-1968 [Bibliography of Armenian-Lettered Turkish Books 1727-1968], Armenian Academy of Sciences, Yerevan, 1985, p. 163; and Hasmig A. Sdepanian, Hayadar Tourkeren Krkeri…, p. 321.
- [35] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 20.
- [36] Hasmig A. Sdepanian, Hayadar Tourkeren Krkeri…, p. 321.
- [37] Teotig (editor and compiler), Houshartsan Abril Dasnumegi [Memorial to April Eleventh], Constantinople, O. Arzouman Printing House, 1919, p. 71; also see Garabed M. Misirian’s untitled article, Gochnag, New York, year 18, number 44, 3 November 1918, p. 1729.
- [38] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 20; Hasmig A. Sdepanian, Hayadar Tourkeren Krkeri…, 2005, p. 320.
- [39] Hasmig A. Sdepanian, Hayadar Tourkeren Krkeri…, p. 320.
- [40] Teotig, Houshartsan Abril Dasnumegi, p. 86.
- [41] Kr.[ikor] H. Kalousdian [Giligetsi], Marash gam Kermanig…, p. 507; also see Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, p. 859.
- [42] Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, pp. 858-859; also see “The Autobiography of Aleksan Bezdjian” in Hayots Haretsouytsu. Haygagan Veradznount, year 4, Constantinople, 1914, pp. 187-189.
- [43] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 20; Hasmig A. Sdepanian, Hayadar Tourkeren Krkeri…, p. 333.
- [44] Teotig, Houshartsan Abril Dasnumegi, p. 71; Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, pp. 549, 831, 837, and 860; and Kr.[ikor] H. Kalousdian [Giligetsi], Marash gam Kermanig…, p. 509.
- [45] V. M. Kyurkdjian, Azkayin Housher. Vartanian Grtaranu Inchbes Himnvetsav [National Memories. How the Vartanian Institute Was Founded], Hayasdani Gochnag, year 28, number 41, 13 October 1928, p. 1297.
- [46] Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, p. 457 (V. M. Kyurkdjian’s article).
- [47] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 24.
- [48] Setrag G. Matosian, Ayntabi Chrisdosasirats Ungeroutyun 1896-1935 [The Christ-Loving Society of Ayntab 1896-1935],Aleppo, A. Der Sahagian Printing House, 1935, pp. 29-34; Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 2, pp. 206-210; and Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, pp. 646-647.
- [49] Very Reverend Yeghia S. Kasouni, Lousashavigh [Path of Light], Beirut, 1947, p. 425; Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 24; and Hasmig A. Sdepanian,Hayadar Tourkeren Krkeri…, p. 342.
- [50] Hasmig A. Sdepanian, Hayadar Tourkeren Krkeri…, p. 342; O. Kyouloumian, A. Atamian, S. Tatevosian, A. Savalian, M. Soghomonian, and A. Sahagian, Hay Kirku 1901-1920 Tvagannerin [Armenian Printing in the Years 1901-1920],Yerevan, Kirk Printing House, 2007, p. 590.
- [51] V. M. Kyurkdjian, “National Memories. On the Road to France,”seeHayasdani Gochnag, year 32, number 2, 9 January 1932, p. 44.
- [52] V. M. Kyurkdjian, “National Memories. Inside and Around the Vartanian Institute,” see Hayasdani Gochnag,year 28, number 46, 17 November 1928, p. 1457; V. M. Kyurkdjian, Azkayin Housher. Bzdig Votisagan mu…, p. 1517;and Kevork A. Sarafian,Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots,volume 1, p. 630 (his autobiography).
- [53] V. M. Kyurkdjian,Azkayin Housher. Bzdig Votisagan mu…, pp. 1517-1518.
- [54] Kevork A. Sarafian,Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, pp. 630-634 (his autobiography); Ardashes H. Kardashian, Nyuter Yekibdosi Hayots Badmoutyan Hamar [Topics from the History of the Armenians of Egypt], volume 2, Venice-Saint Lazarus, 1986, pp. 648-649; and Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 2, pp. 683-690.
- [55] The letter dated 21 October 1914, from Arshag Alboyadjian to Father Karekin Bogharian, in Krikor Bogharian,Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 21; Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 2, p. 292; and Arshag Alboyadjian, “Armenians and Printing,”Hairenik Monthly, year 10, number 9 (117), July 1932, p. 88.
- [56] Kevork A. Sarafian,Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 2, p. 292.
- [57] The letter dated 21 October 1914, from Arshag Alboyadjian to Father Karekin Bogharian, see Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 21.
- [58] Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 2, p. 292.
- [59] The letter dated 21 October 1914, from Arshag Alboyadjian to Father Karekin Bogharian, see Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, pp. 20-21.
- [60] Kevork H. Barsoumian,Badmoutyun Ayntabi H. H. Tashnagtsoutyan 1898-1922[History of the A. R. Federation in Ayntab 1898-1922], published by the Zavarian Student Association, Aleppo, Dikris Printing House, 1957, pp. 290-291.
- [61] The letter dated 21 October 1914, from Arshag Alboyadjian to Father Karekin Bogharian, see Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 21
- [62] Shrchanavardk Vartanian Grtarani Ayntab [Graduates of the Vartanian Institute of Ayntab], Ayntab, 1914, p. 7; Kevork H. Barsoumian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi H. H. Tashnagtsoutyan 1898-1922, p. 290; and Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, p. 990.
- [63] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, pp. 103 and 134.
- [64] Kevork H. Barsoumian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi H. H. Tashnagtsoutyan 1898-1922, p. 305; and Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, p. 990.
- [65] Kevork H. Barsoumian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi H. H. Tashnagtsoutyan 1898-1922, pp. 289-293; Shrchanavardk Vartanian Grtarani Ayntab, p. 6; and A. Gesar, Ayntabi Koyamardu[The Battle of Ayntab],Boston (Massachusetts), Hairenik Press, 1945, pp. 152-153.
- [66] Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, pp. 1007-1008.
- [67] Kevork H. Barsoumian,Badmoutyun Ayntabi H. H. Tashnagtsoutyan 1898-1922,pp. 290-291; H., “Khoren Varjabedian,”Azadamard Newspaper, Constantinople, new series, year 10, number 592 (2412), 29 October 1920, p. 2; and Aram Andonian, “Parsegh Shahbaz,”Veradznount Almanac, year 1, Paris, 1920, pp. 169-170.
- [68] K. Bogharian, “The Loss of the Individual…”, Hay Ayntab, Beirut, year 8, number 3 (27), 1967, p. 19.
- [69] Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, pp. 1007-1008.
- [70] Ibid., p. 641; Shrchanavardk Vartanian Grtarani Ayntab,p. 7; and Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 2, pp. 413-416.
- [71] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 20, number 2.
- [72] Krikor Bogharian, “Cilician Lyceum (1912-1915),” in Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, p. 782; and Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 20, number 1.
- [73] Shrchanavardk Vartanian Grtarani Ayntab, pp. 13-14.
- [74] Himnagan Ganonakir Vartanian Untatsavardits Miyoutian [Foundational Bylaws of the Vartanian Graduates’ Association],Ayntab, Commercial Printing House, 1914, pp. 2 and 4.
- [75] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 20.
- [76] Arshag Alboyadjian, “Armenians and Printing,” Hairenik Monthly, year 10, number 9 (117), July 1932, p. 88.
- [77] The letter dated 21 October 1914, from Arshag Alboyadjian to Father Karekin Bogharian, in Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 19.
- [78] Ibid., p. 21.
- [79] Ibid., p. 19.
- [80] Ibid., p. 21.
- [81] Some sources state that the printing press was promised by Haroutyun Djebedjian and Dr. Nazaret Kechedjian (Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 2, p. 547),while other sources state that the gifters were the brothers Haroutyun and Armenag Djebedjian (Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, p. 796).
- [82] Krikor Bogharian,Ayntabagank, volume 1, p. 41; and volume 2, p. 547.
- [83] Giligian Djemaran Ayntab-Giligia. Arachin Deghegakir 1912-194 [Cilician Lyceum Ayntab-Cilicia. First Report 1912-1914], Constantinople, H. Madteosian Printing House, 1914, p. 85.
- [84] Kevork A. Sarafian, Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots, volume 1, pp. 775-797, Krikor Bogharian’s article.
- [85] Kr. Bogharian, “Avedis Der Sahagian (1900-1973),” seeNor Ayntab [New Ayntab], Beirut, year 14, number 1-2 (53-54), 1973, pp. 99-100.
- [86] Haig Barigian and Hovnan Varjabedian, Badmoutyun Sourio Hay Dbarannerou, p. 38.
- [87] Krikor Bogharian, Ayntabagank, volume 1, pp. 163-166.
- [88] Ibid., p. 25.
- [89] Ibid., p. 28.