Thread: Revisiting the "Turkish oilstone" matter

Originally Posted by RayClem

At one time Crete was part of the Ottoman Empire. That is how the stone mined in Crete became known as the Turkish Oilstone. With the collapse of the Ottoman Empire following WWI, Crete no longer was associated with Turkey, but is a part of Greece. It has been nearly 100 years since Crete was associated with Turkey.

Thus, the use of the "Turkish Oilstone" name is no longer accurate, especially for modern mined stones. Since the stones are mined in Crete, the most appropriate name is Cretan Honing Stone. These stones are sold in the USA by Griffith Shaving Goods under that name.

Just to be more specific. Crete gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1898 and joined Greece in 1913. In the between years ithey were independent, printed their own stamps for example. Top says Crete, bottom 1 lepton which was the equivalent of a cent. Once they joined Greece the remaining stamps were overprinted as Greece - red letters in the middle.

I just had to find a way to show this beautiful old stamp I got in a trade from a classmate in elementary school. I still remember she had gotten it from her grandfather.