Abdülaziz, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire (1830-1876, ruled 1861-1876). Ottoman Izn-i Sefine [Sailing Permission] Firman.

€ 3.500,00

A firman granting a British ship access to the Black Sea shores through the Bosphorus.

These types of firmans are known as "izn-i sefine" (sailing permissions) and were first issued during the reign of Mehmed II, following the conquest of Istanbul. Since the 16th century, foreign ships were not allowed to pass through the Black Sea, and sailing permissions were not issued. Russia was the first country to receive the privilege of trade using its own ships in the Black Sea in 1774, which was followed by Austria in 1783, and France and England in 1802. Following the Treaty of Adrinople, the Black Sea was generally opened to international trade in 1829. However, ships still would need an "izn-i sefine" firman to pass through the Dardanelles or Bosphorus straits, at a fee of 300 coins.