Description:
Sipahi is a rare Tekel release, with a particularly colourful historical design featuring Ottoman horsemen. It is a single brand, in the context of the wider history of Turkish tobacco. The contrast of the horsemen theme sets this pack apart from the usual Maltepe or Samsun.
Value assessment:
Collectible value: Medium–high.
Unopened, original cellophane still intact, slightly softened corners and creases, but no major defects. The package is in excellent visual condition.
Condition assessment:
Tekel – a long-standing Turkish tobacco monopoly company from the late 19th century until its privatization in 2008 (Tekel was replaced by BAT, national production ended in 2009)
Historical data and popularity:
Wikipedia „"Sipahi" is a retrospective, colorful issue in the Tekeli series, mentioned as extremely rare among collectors: "The Sipahi is extremely rare..."“
