Thread: Revisiting the "Turkish oilstone" matter

Originally Posted by alex1921

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.

Thanks! I was not aware that Crete had broken away from the Ottoman Empire prior to WWI. As I said, many of us are woefully unaware of history outside of Western Europe. It is always nice to learn new things. The old stamp is quite interesting.

I have been under the impression that the term "Turkey stone" originated from when Crete was part of the Ottoman empire, as mentioned. I have a vintage piece, that moves towards black an a newer piece that moves toward grey, both of the with white fissures characteristic of the stone. In France, I also have a stone that was quarried in Anatolia, not far from the Black Sea. But it's more of a sandstone, useful for knives and bevel work with razors.