Bill of Exchange from Smyrna (1787)
Date: May 12, 1787
Amount: 2,100 florins
Payee: Sig. David Tuny
Endorsement: Henry Fornazzy & Co.
Issuer: Stefano d’Isay & Co., Amsterdam
Condition: Slight folding marks and some ink fading, consistent with age. Still in remarkable condition for a financial document over 230 years old
Stefano d’Isay was one of the most prominent Greek merchants and bankers in Amsterdam during the late 18th century. His firm played a key role in financing trade and acting as a commissioner for Greek merchants based in Smyrna (Izmir). The attached historical snippet confirms his involvement in the Greek trading network and his importance in the European financial scene.
D’Isay’s firm facilitated the issuance and negotiation of bills of exchange — critical instruments for international trade at the time. These bills are not just financial documents but also historical evidence of Greek commercial influence in Amsterdam and Smyrna.
Condition: in good condition considering their age, with clear handwriting and preserved ink. The signatures and endorsements remain legible and well-defined.
Authentic historical pieces ideal for collectors of financial documents, Ottoman and Greek trade history, and 18th-century banking history..
