Watch List notes:

Israel. Palestine (Ottoman Empire), Anglo-Palestine Company Limited Circulating Check, c. 1914-1915. At the beginning of WWI, the crumbling Ottoman Empire was in economic shambles. In order to raise money for the war effort, taxes were raised throughout the empire. The towns of Tel Aviv and Jaffa were especially hard hit and circulating money was in short supply. Therefore, the outlawed Anglo Palestine Company had leading members of the community sign and personally back "circulating checks," such as this example. "Pay against this cheque to myself Frs 10," signed by Harry Kaplan on front and back. "Cancelled" stamped and 1 ½ holes. No date (c. 1914-1915), Turkish tax stamp cancelled in Jaffa. Could this be the Harry Kaplan who "was born in 1875 and lived in Porto Rico for many years. He married Anna Chodowski there … and the family went to Jaffa in Palestine in 1913 for a couple of years where Harry was a representative of American firms. They then went to Cleveland Ohio in 1915" (www.genealogy.com). Very Fine, folded in middle. Interesting piece of "Emergency Money." Estimated Value $200 - UP
The D. Bernard Hoenig Collection.