Collections — Onurcan Büyükkalkan

Prints and Paintings

Deutsche Orientbank Aktiengesellschaft (c. 1920s–1930s)

A German printed profile of Deutsche Orientbank Aktiengesellschaft, headquartered in Berlin on Französische Straße. The text describes the bank’s creation in 1906 by Dresdner Bank, A. Schaaffhausen’scher Bankverein, and Nationalbank für Deutschland, and notes its role in trade relations with the Near East. It lists branches in Istanbul, İzmir, Cairo, Alexandria, and other locations, reflecting German financial activity across the late Ottoman and early Republican eastern Mediterranean. Bought in Berlin in April 2026.

Lokomotive: Austrian Southern Railway Express Locomotive (c. 1870-1890s)

A technical German encyclopedia plate of a steam locomotive from Meyers Konversations-Lexikon, published by the Bibliographisches Institut in Leipzig. The illustration shows sectional views of an express locomotive of the Austrian Southern Railway, including its boiler, wheels, frame, and internal mechanical structure. It reflects the engineering culture of the railway age, when encyclopedias presented industrial technology with scientific precision and visual detail. Bought in Berlin in April 2026.

Brockhaus Map of Chicago (c. 1897)

A German map of Chicago from Brockhaus’ Konversations-Lexikon, published by F. A. Brockhaus in Leipzig. The map shows the city’s late nineteenth-century street grid, railways, parks, waterways, and Lake Michigan shoreline, with inset plans of central Chicago and railway facilities. It captures Chicago during its rapid urban expansion after the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Bought in Berlin in April 2026.

"Türkische Hofrachten"

Bought in New York City, Argosy Book Store in 2024.

"Der orientalische Reisebothe."

Bought in New York City, Argosy Book Store in 2024.

People from Smyrna

Bought in Denmark in 2022.

Istanbul Print

Bought in Washington DC in 2022.

Painting over Text 1

Bought in Izmir Kizlaragasi Han in 2018. Made by Arya Kamali

Painting over Text 2

Bought in Izmir Kizlaragasi Han in 2018. Made by Arya Kamali

Banknotes (Notaphily)

Ancient Roman coin (3rd century CE)

Copper-alloy coin with a radiate (spiked) portrait bust on one side (legend includes Gallienus), and a reverse showing a standing figure with a long staff/spear. Heavy circulation wear, green patina, and edge chipping. Bought in Chicago from Harlan J. Berk in 2025.

German 100 Mark banknote (11 June 1912)

Reichsbank note with ornate blue engraving, two female profile medallions, red seals, and a large watermark panel; reverse shows a seated allegorical figure (Germania-style) with decorative border and “100” numerals. Bought in Berlin in 2025.

Soviet 100 rubles banknote (1991)

Late-Soviet Union 100-ruble note: one side has Vladimir Lenin and the USSR emblem, the other shows the Moscow Kremlin tower scene with “Сто рублей” (100 rubles). Bought in Berlin in 2025.

German 5000 Mark banknote (1 Aug 1922)

Weimar-era (hyperinflation period) 5000 Mark note with bold gothic “Fünftausend Mark” and a portrait vignette; reverse is a dense ornamental design centered on the denomination and eagle emblems. Bought in Berlin in 2025.

2 US Dollars Front

This framed $2 bill features a portrait of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. It is part of the 1976 series and showcases the United States Treasury seal in green on the right, with intricate design elements typical of U.S. currency. Gifted by a friend in the United States in 2017.

50 Soviet Rubles Front

The front features Lenin's portrait, the Soviet coat of arms, and the year 1991. Intricate patterns surround the design, marking one of the last USSR banknotes. Bought in Romania

50 Soviet Rubles Back

The reverse shows the Kremlin with the denomination "50" in the center, framed by decorative motifs and the serial number on the right. Bought in Romania

1 Canada Dollar Front

The front features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, with "Bank of Canada" and the denomination "One Dollar" in both English and French. Bought in Chicago, IL, USA

1 Canada Dollar Back

The reverse depicts an image of Canada's rural landscape, framed by the denomination and the bank's name in both languages. Bought in Chicago, IL, USA

1000 Austro Hungarian Kronen Front

This 1000 Kronen note, issued by the Austro-Hungarian Bank, dates back to 1902. It features a detailed portrait of a woman in the right corner and the imperial double-headed eagle crest at the top. Ornate patterns frame the central text, making it a classic example of early 20th-century Austrian banknotes. Bought in Izmir, Turkey

25 Russian Imperial Rubles Front

This 1909 25 Russian Rubles note features ornate detailing with the Imperial Russian coat of arms on the left. The denomination "25" is prominently displayed, surrounded by intricate floral designs and official signatures. Bought in Izmir, Turkey

25 Russian Imperial Rubles Back

The reverse depicts a portrait of Tsar Alexander III in an elaborate frame, with the double-headed eagle crest above. The design is framed by classic decorative elements, symbolizing the grandeur of the Russian Empire. Bought in Izmir, Turkey

Books

The Harvard Classics: The Voyage of the Beagle (c. 1909)

This volume is an early twentieth-century Harvard Classics edition of Charles Darwin’s The Voyage of the Beagle, published by P. F. Collier & Son in New York. The work records Darwin’s observations from the HMS Beagle expedition, including geology, natural history, and encounters across South America, the Galápagos, and other regions. This copy was given away by the University of Chicago Harper Library in 2024.

Du Contrat Social by Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1914 Edition)

This is a 1914 edition of Du Contrat Social (The Social Contract) by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, published by F. Rieder et Cie, Paris. The book includes an introduction and explanatory notes by Georges Beaulavon, a philosophy professor at Collège Rollin. This edition is a revised and corrected second edition, reprinted from a 1903 version. It remains a key text in political philosophy, focusing on Rousseau’s influential ideas about the foundations of political rights and the legitimacy of authority. Bought in St. John's, Canada in 2024.

Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare (1909 Edition)

This is a 1909 edition of The Two Gentlemen of Verona by William Shakespeare, published by J.M. Dent & Co., London. The book features an illustration of the bust of Shakespeare at Stratford Church by J.M.W. Turner and is part of a series edited by Israel Gollancz. This edition contains a glossary and notes, offering readers historical context and linguistic explanations. Bound in red, the book's spine is embossed with gold lettering, giving it a classic appearance. Bought in Chicago from Powell's Books in 2023.

Sebastian Münster - Von den Türcken (16th Century)

Google Translate from German (With many mistakes)

This page is from Cosmographia by Sebastian Münster , one of the most important geographical works of the 16th century. The section titled Von den Türcken (About the Turks) discusses the Ottoman Empire. The accompanying woodcut shows a depiction of Ottoman figures. The text provides a European perspective on Turkish customs and practices during that period. This page is over 300 years old. Bought in Washington D.C. USA in 2022.

Rabindranath Tagore - Mashi (1920)

This 1920 edition of Mashi by Rabindranath Tagore was published in Budapest by Világirodalom Könyvkiadóvállalat. It is a Hungarian translation of Tagore’s famous short story, showcasing his literary influence across the world during the early 20th century. Bought in Budapest, Hungary from Vonnegut Antikvarium in 2022.

John Stuart Mill - Gesammelte Werke (1881)

A German edition of John Stuart Mill’s Collected Works , this volume contains his foundational texts on political economy, published in 1881 in Leipzig. The work is edited and annotated by notable scholars of the time. Bought in İstanbul from İmge Sahaf (Now Closed) in 2018.

Jean Grave - L'Anarchie: Son But, Ses Moyens (1926)

This is a 1926 edition of L'Anarchie: Son But, Ses Moyens by Jean Grave, a prominent French anarchist. The book, published by Librairie Stock in Paris, is part of the "Bibliothèque Sociologique" series. It explores the goals and methods of anarchism, offering a key text in anarchist literature. Bought in Istanbul, Turkey.

Maps

Turkish Empire Map – Missouri Publishing Company – 1878

This is a highly detailed late 19th-century map titled "Turkish Empire in Europe and Asia, Greece, Roumania, ect.". The map was engraved by the renowned cartographer John Bartholomew and published by the Missouri Publishing Company in Kansas City around 1878. It is most likely a plate from The People’s Family Atlas of the World or an early edition of Cram’s Unrivaled Family Atlas.

The map is historically significant as it reflects the major territorial shifts following the Treaty of Berlin in 1878, explicitly noting "Territory ceded by Turkey" in its legend. It illustrates the Ottoman Empire’s changing borders in the Balkans and the Middle East, highlighting the status of newly independent or autonomous regions like Greece, Romania, and Serbia. Was gifted in Chicago in 2023.

Postcards and Stamps

Bought in Chicago, IL, USA in 2023.

Bought in St. John's, NL, Canada in 2023.

Bought in Chicago, IL, USA in 2023.

Magazines

ANT Magazine

Bought in Büyükada, İstanbul in 2023.

The National Geographic (April 1932) Includes a Piece About New Turkey. Bought in Washington D.C.

ANT Magazine

Bought in Büyükada, İstanbul in 2023.

Newspapers

Tan Newspaper - April 9, 1943

This edition of Tan, a daily political and public newspaper, covers the intensifying conflict in Tunisia during World War II. The headline discusses violent operations, highlighting British and American military efforts. Other articles include details on Mr. Eden's speech about Washington decisions, bombings in Naples and Palermo, and updates on Turkish foreign relations. Bought in Büyükada, İstanbul in 2023.

Mimar Sinan Tan Newspaper - April 9, 1943

This article commemorates Mimar Sinan, the legendary Ottoman architect, on the 355th anniversary of his death. It discusses the preparations for the ceremony at his tomb near the Süleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul. Other articles address post-war financial issues (signaling IMF) and current global events as World War II nears its end. Bought in Büyükada, İstanbul in 2023.

Archaeological Items and Artifacts

Stone from the Great Pyramids

Brought from Egypt in 2023.

Glass Lantern Slides

Bedouin Camp: Woman Churning; Child, Dog, and Goats (1913), Egypt

New York State Education Department, Visual Instruction Division, Negative No. B4000 and Ce X 32

Bought in Washington D.C. in 2017.