Advertisement in the French Magazine “LE Caucase Illustré” Published in Tbilisi (End of the 19th C. – Beginning of the 20th C.)

Abstract

French magazine “Le Caucase illustré” was published in Tbilisi during 1889-1892 and 1899-1902 years. The founder and editor-in-chief of the magazine was French journalist Jules Mourier. Articles about the history, art, literature, and everyday life of the Caucasian peoples were published in this magazine. These materials are more or less explored. The presented paper examines the integral and still unexplored part of this magazine – advertisements.

To summarize, advertisements in the “Le Caucase illustré” can be grouped into the following categories. 1) Oil business. 2) Transport. 3) Hotels and restaurants. 4) Shops of different kinds. 5) Others (notary, translation, etc.). It is worth noting that Mourrier himself was involved in business activities. He advertised the trade of horses in the magazine and was a business broker between clients and sellers.

Based on the study of advertisements published in the magazine, a complete picture of business activities in Tbilisi is created, and the role of Tbilisi in international commercial relations is also highlighted.