HO 334/226/463

            Petrak Izmidlian was born in Konia, Turkey, on February 29, 1888 to Kevork and Ermonia Izmidlian, both classified by the British government as “Armenian (Ottoman).” Petrak was Persian by nationality and married to a woman named Marie. They lived at “Aras,” 69 Higher Drive in Banstead, Surrey. Petrak was naturalized in 1935, along with his son Georges Izmidlian (November 29, 1920-February 2006), then a minor. Petrak was an Oriental carpet merchant and his son Georges followed suit. Georges was the author of Oriental rugs and carpets today: how to choose and enjoy them (New York: Hippocrene Books, Inc., 1977), which he dedicated to his late father, who introduced him “to the world of oriental carpets.” Georges also founded London’s first bonded carpet warehouse. He was married to Beryl Doreen M. Izmidlian, née Groom (November 2, 1923-October 6, 1994). Georges’ brother Jack Haldane, né Izmidlian (1926-2017), was a renowned carpet broker at the Port of London Authority bonded warehouse at Cutler Street and a leading specialist book dealer in Oriental carpets. Petrak’s naturalization application does not survive.