Very Rare, 1921, King Constantine I, Greece, Greco-Turkish War, Smyrna, Litho Cover

Description

An exceptionally scarce first edition (1921) of Ηρωικά Τραγούδια, Αφιερωμένα εις τον ένδοξον στρατηλάτην μας και τον γενναίον στρατόν μας (Heroic Songs, Dedicated to our Glorious Commander and our Brave Army), written and published by Athanasios Pertzeletos during the period of the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922).

This small yet culturally and historically important booklet presents a collection of patriotic songs centered on King Constantine I of Greece and the Greek military leadership of the era, including Commander-in-Chief Anastasios Papoulas.

Item Details

• Author & Publisher: Athanasios Pertzeletos

• Year: 1921

• Pages: 15

• Dimensions: 19 × 13 cm

• Binding: Original paper wraps with the original lithographed front cover

• Condition: Very Good vintage condition, showing expected age-related wear. (Please examine photos for details.)

About the Book

The publication features period patriotic verses reflecting the atmosphere and sentiments of Greece during the Greco-Turkish War.

Its striking lithographic cover illustration depicts King Constantine I being greeted by a young woman dressed in classical Greek attire and holding the Greek flag—an allegorical representation of Hellas (Greece). The imagery reflects the symbolic themes of national identity and leadership common in the early 20th century.

Historical Context

The Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922) occurred in the aftermath of World War I during the partitioning of the Ottoman Empire. Greek forces, initially supported by Allied promises of territorial expansion, advanced into western Anatolia beginning with the landing in Smyrna on 15 May 1919.

Over the next several years, Greek troops occupied key cities including Manisa, Balıkesir, Aydın, Kütahya, Bursa, and Eskişehir. The campaign reached its turning point at the Battle of Sakarya (1921), after which Turkish forces regained momentum, culminating in the recapture of Smyrna in August 1922.

The conflict concluded with the Treaty of Lausanne, which recognized the modern Republic of Turkey and resulted in the mandated Greek–Turkish population exchange.

This booklet is a primary-source artifact from this pivotal historical period and an excellent addition for collectors of Hellenic history, militaria, rare pamphlets, and early 20th-century political or cultural publications.