AN OTTOMAN FIRMAN WITH ABDULMEJID I (R. 1839 - 1861) TUGHRA
Ottoman Turkey, mid-19th century

Ottoman Turkish manuscript on cream paper, 4ll. of black ink divani script to the page, at the top the tughra of Sultan Abdulmejid I in gold ink, further golden illuminations and calligraphic composition just below it, on the back inscribed 'Lt. Col. William Friend Hopkins Royal Marines' in sepia ink, the document accompanied by a hand-written note translating the content of the firman, 56cm x 35cm.

Lt. Col. Friend Hopkins, mentioned in the back of the firman, was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain of the Corps of British Royal Marines on 20th April 1847. He then served with the R.M. Brigade in the Crimean War in 1854-55 and was in command of the 1st Battalion on the heights of Balaklava at the attack of the Russians on that place. He led the Royal Marines in the battle of Inkerman and once again commanded the 1st Battalion at Balaklava from March to June 1855. In his military career, he was decorated with several medals, three Clasps, Brevet Lt.Col., CB., Knight of the Legion of Honor, Sardinian Medals, and the Ottoman 4th Class of the Medjidie, an Ottoman military and civilian order instituted by Sultan Abdulmejid I in 1851 (information extracted from the War Services of the Royal Marine officers who served ashore in the Crimean War with the R.M. Brigade - http://cwrs.russianwar.co.uk/cwrs-R-RMbrigade-officers-WS.html#wfhopkins).