Product Type
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Seller: Sokol Books Ltd. ABA ILAB, London, United Kingdom
Manuscript / Paper Collectible
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. FINE MINIATURE MS QUR AN Manuscript on paper, Herat, Muharram AH 963 / November 1555. Octagonal, 42 x 40mm. 427 paper unnumbered ll., 14 lines of naskh microcalligraphy per page, all leaves within circular ink ruling, heightened in blue and gold, circular verse markers in gold, sura titles in gold thuluth. First verso (sura Al-Fātiḥa) and second recto (beginning of sura Al-Baqarah) with 6 naskh lines of microcalligraphy within handsome sunburst illumination in blue, gold, red and green, last verso with floral decoration in gold. Tiny loss at blank foot of second leaf, couple of very minor tears to blank margins. A fine copy in contemporary dark green goatskin, triple gilt ruled, floral decoration to covers, eps in dyed green paper with plant motifs heightened in gold, a.e.g., rear joint starting and just cracked, but firm. Preserved in later octagonal silver box with carved Mushaf Sharif ( Holy Qur an ) in Arabic script. An exquisite octagonal miniature ms Qur an on fine paper, in naskh and thuluth microcalligraphy, dated November 1555 (Muharram al-haram, AH 963). A major centre for ms production in the previous century, by the mid-C16, under the Safavids, Herat still boasted a number of exceptional calligraphers, influenced by the fine C15 Timurid style. The colophon states the place and date of production, and is signed by the scribe, the last part of his name being al-Qari . The great hafiz (memoriser of the Qur an) and calligrapher Ali al-Qari (d.1605) was from Herat. Miniature ms Qur ans were used for personal devotion and protection, even as late as the C19. In the Ottoman Turkish world, octagonal miniature Qur ans ( sancak Qur ans ), functioning as amulets, encased in a box or fabric pouch, were tied to a military standard and carried to battle. This custom spread as far as India and Persia, where talismanic miniature Qur ans were also be tied to arm- or wristbands or carried in one s pocket, and generally close to the body. The present ms is indeed preserved in a (probably later) silver box with two holes to accommodate thread. The desire to bind textual amulets to the body and to keep Qur anic or other devotional texts close to the self is a materialization of a potent hadith (saying) attributed to Muhammad. [ ] The physical intimacy of the object worn near or against the owner s body symbolizes the intimacy between self and God available through the vehicle that is text (Gruber, pp.95, 103). Miniature mss, and Qur ans in particular, also allowed scribes to show off their outstanding skills, by writing dust-like ( ghubar ) calligraphy, in which, as here, alif , the tallest letter, is no taller than 1mm. However, in miniature Qur an mss, no matter how tiny the script, readability is never compromised , even though their owners were not required to actively read the text in order to benefit from its talismanic qualities; indeed, the reduction in scale served to further concentrate or distil its power (Ekhtiar, p.98). Provenance: The ownership of this ms is recorded in the oral history of the family of Abdulaziz (d.1876), 32nd Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, of the House of Osman, 96th Caliph, and the first ever Ottoman emperor to visit Western Europe. He was interested in literature and classical music; after being deposed in 1876, he died in mysterious circumstances. His daughter, Esma (d.1899), inherited the ms; it later passed to her second son, Huseyin Hayreddine Beyefendi (d.1956), who briefly lived in Cairo, and died in Istanbul. He bequeathed the ms to his brother Saadeddine Mohamed Beyefendi (d.1976). After his death in Beirut, Lebanon, the ms passed to his son, Saadeddine Mohamed Bey Osmansoy. S. de Laugier, Manuscrits d'Afghanistan (1964); M.D. Ekhtiar, How to Read Islamic Calligraphy (2018); H. Coffey, Islamic Miniature Books in the Lilly Library , in The Islamic Manuscript Tradition, ed. C. Gruber (2010), pp.79-115; S. Blair, Islamic Calligraphy (2005); C. Baker, Qur an Manuscripts (2007).
Published by [Persia, ca. 1890 / 19th century CE]., 1890
Seller: Antiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH, Vienna, A, Austria
314 ff., octagonal (75 x 78 mm). Arabic manuscript in minute gilt naskh script on blue paper, 14 lines within octagonal gilt borders, surah headings in red ink on gilt, gold discs between verses. Contemporary Persian lacquer binding with floral decoration to covers (inside and outside). Opening double page, beginning and final double page richly illuminated with gilt and polychrome borders. Stored within a contemporary custom silver case with lockable clasp. A beautifully illuminated octagonal miniature Qur'an, uncommonly written on dark indigo blue paper. The meticulously hand-painted floral lacquer binding is characteristic of the 19th century Persian style. Stored in a custom-fitted sterling silver case, bottom punched "Silver" and "925", finely wrought with ornamental tendril designs. In excellent condition.
Published by For the Koran Society by R. Carlile, London, 1826
Leather. Condition: Good. None (illustrator). A very scarce English language translation of the Quran, issued by political agitator and suffragist Richard Carlile. A very scarce edition of George Sale's English language translation of the religious text. Sale first published his translation in 1734.This edition of Sale's translation is one of a small number of very scarce editions published by Richard Carlile, an important agitator for the establishment of universal suffrage and freedom of the press, known for witnessing the Peterloo Massacre, and being persecuted for publishing an account of it.Lacking one blank to the front, one blank to rear, and lacking the final leaf of text (pages 315-316). Lacking also the front free endpaper and rear free endpaper. With the bookplate of Bernard E. James to the front pastedown.With a number of marginal contemporary ink annotations and notations throughout. For example, an 1826 inscription to page 79 notes that the 'examiner news by Leigh Hunt Esq friend of Byron' is a 'good paper', while extensive notations in the same hand to page 182 refers to the 1820s series 'The World in Miniature' by Frederic Shobert.With 'alcoran' in ink to the head of the title page, and pencil notations throughout, not disrupting text. In a full calf binding, with gilt detailing to back strip and board perimeters. Front joint starting, with rubbing to rear joint. Rear hinge strained, but firmly held. Bookplate to front pastedown. Lacking front and rear free endpaper, and one blank each to the front and rear. Internally, firmly bound. Inscription to title page head, with head of title page removed. Extensive ink annotations to pages 79 and 182, with further minor ink notations, and pencil notations throughout. Pages generally bright, with spotting and small instances of foxing throughout. Good. book.
16°, 522 pp., [2 pp.] blank, printed on thin paper, contemporary lacquer binding with dark brown goat skin spine (Very Good, minor wear to the binding, missing front lose endpaper). A charming miniature Quran with a handsome contemporary lacquer binding, printed in Bakhchysarai, a city in central Crimea which was for decades the cultural center of the Crimean Tatars - A small-format Quran, bound in a charming contemporary lacquer binding, was issued in a central Crimean city Bakhchysarai under the patronage of Ismail Gaspirali (Gaspirinsky) (1851-1914). Gaspirali was one of the pioneers of the modern education among the Muslims in the Russian Empire. He encouragedthe solidarity among the Turkic peoples and encouraged modernization through Europeanization. In 1883, he founded the first Tatar newspaper in Bakhchysarai, named Tercüman. Our Quran was published by the same publishing house. Worldcat lists five institutional examples. Fondation du Roi Abdul-Aziz Al Saoud pour les Etudes Islamiques et les Sciences Humaines - Casablanca, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), National Library of Israel, Jewish National Library, Middlebury College Library, University of Utah. References: OCLC 236011386.
Soft cover. Condition: Near Fine. 7x25mm, blue leather, with gilt-tooled covers, strap closure, and small plastic magnifying glass attached by a string; housed in patterned cardboard box. Text in Farsi. An attractive presentation. Light wear and small closed tear to outer cardboard box; some rubbing to gilt; overall near fine.
Published by [SLND, Circa 1870] 1870, 1870
Seller: JF LETENNEUR LIVRES RARES, Saint Briac sur mer, France
Association Member: ILAB
1 vol. minuscule (37 x 24 mm) de : 353 pp. Plein marocain grenat, motifs dorés estampés sur les plats, fermoir de lanière de cuir, loupe cerclée de bakelite maintenue par une ficelle de soie servant de signet, dos lisse orné, tranches dorées. Charmant Coran minuscule imprimé sur un très beau papier bible. Le texte est imprimé à l'encre noire et encadré d'un triple filet avec plusieurs bandeaux pour les titres des parties. Il semblerait qu'à la fin la table soit celle de toutes les Sourates. Bel exemplaire dans sa reliure d'époque, trés frais. 1 miniature vol. (37 x 24 mm) of : 353 pp. Full garnet Moroccan, gilded motifs stamped on the boards, leather strap clasp, bakelite-rimmed burr held in place by a silk string serving as a bookmark, ornate smooth spine, gilt edges. Charming tiny Koran printed on beautiful bible paper. The text is printed in black ink and framed by a triple fillet with several bands for the titles of the parts. The table at the end appears to be that of all the Suras. A fine copy in its period binding, very fresh.
Rare antique miniature Koran [Quran ] . Red leather binding over thin card . A miniature book with ornate with gold pattern and gold page edges. Edges lightly rubbed. Some gilt from the page edges dulled. Light stain to lower edge of inside covers, also affecting the lower edge of the first few leaves and the last few leaves. Otherwise clean Arabic text throughout. Rare and authentic Quran book from early 1900's. Dimensions : 2.1cm x 1.8cm x 1cm ** "The production of miniature Korans in manuscript has a long tradition, but the printing of them in this form had to await the arrival of photolithographic techniques in the late 19th century. Such Korans were published in Delhi in 1892 and Istanbul c. 1899, but the one which seems to have achieved the widest circulation is this Scottish edition. It was one of a long series of miniature books produced by David Bryce and Sons. All the copies were issued with metal lockets and magnifying glasses. Many were supplied to Indian and other Muslim soldiers fighting for the British in the First World War, and served also as talismans" (Information from "Middle Eastern Languages and the Print Revolution", Gutenberg Museum exhibition catalogue, Mainz, 2002, no. 79). Mentioned by T. E. Lawrence in "Seven pillars of wisdom".
Published by 1890, 1890
Seller: Harrison-Hiett Rare Books, Richelieu, France
A beautiful copy of this miniature Koran. Full leather, with a leather clasp (still fully working). Gilt decoration. This is a little rubbed to the edges of the spine, but still attractive. All edges gilt. Sewn binding. 3.4cm x 2.1cm. Unpaginated. Although there are no publication details in the book, the titles and index have been confirmed by an Arabic colleague to be an Ottoman Koran. Undated, but probably late Nineteenth Century. Internally in excellent, clean condition. 34 x 21 mm (1¼ x 0¾ inches). . Un bel exemplaire de ce Coran miniature. Plein cuir, avec un fermoir en cuir (encore en état de marche). Décoration dorée. L'ouvrage est un peu frotté sur les bords du dos, mais reste attrayant. Toutes les tranches sont dorées. Reliure cousue. 3,4 cm x 2,1 cm. Non paginé. Bien qu'il n'y ait pas de détails de publication dans le livre, les titres et l'index ont été confirmés par un collègue arabe comme étant un Coran ottoman. Non daté, mais probablement de la fin du XIXe siècle. L'intérieur est en excellent état de propreté. 34 x 21mm.
Published by Hodges, Figgis & Co, Dublin, 1967
Seller: FOLIOS LIMITED, Witney, United Kingdom
Book
Cloth. Condition: Very Good. xxvii, 82 pp., [1], coloured frontispiece, 70 plates (of which 10 are in colour), original cloth, title gilt on spine, biblio, index, spine lightly faded, otherwise copy in mint condition. #7864.
Published by Vimperk, Hans Steinbrener, no date (20th century).
Seller: Antiquariat INLIBRIS Gilhofer Nfg. GmbH, Vienna, A, Austria
26 x 37 mm. 819, (5) pp. Original leather leather binding richly gilt with floral motifs, with leather clasp and cord with attached magnifying lens. All edges gilt. In original cardboard box. A charming miniature Quran in excellent condition, preserved in its original gilt binding and cardboard box. With richly decorated opening double page frontispiece. Fully vocalized text set in a frame, verse separators, sura headings and section markers in the margins printed in black throughout. These miniature Qurans were printed at the press of Hans Steinbrener since the early 1900s; with the new millennium, the shop closed down and ceased production. These miniature editions of the Holy Quran, with their elaborate gilt leather bindings and attached magnifying glass, count among the finest examples of their kind and as masterpieces of Bohemian printing and craftsmanship. "The firm advertised itself as the continent's largest producer of artistic bindings for prayer books and the largest publisher of prayer books [.] This publisher supplied a market ranging from Manila to New York" (Marija Dalbello, "Franz Josef's Time Machine: Images of Modernity in the Era of Mechanical Photoreproduction", in: Book History, Vol. 5 [2002], pp. 67-103). - Available colours: green, red, blue, brown, maroon. Gilt cover design, box design, and clasp design may vary. Coin shown for size comparison only.
Published by N.p. n.y., N.p.
Seller: Main Street Fine Books & Mss, ABAA, Galena, IL, U.S.A.
Paperback. Miniature (1¼"). Stiff glossy red wrappers. (Ca. 200pp). Very good. Quite mild wear to outer wrappers only -- internally tight and bright. Attractive copy of this bibliographically-vacant production. If publisher, city or year of publication appear in Roman alphabet they are so miniscule as to be indecipherable or they appear in Arabic, a language of which our knowledge is less than fluent -- some might say nonexistent. Of the age of this copy we cannot hazard even the vaguest of estimates, though second half of the 20th century seems likely. Not printed via offset lithography, but some lower grade reproduction. An incredibly miniscule "231" is neatly inked on the last page, though the significance of this (limitation number?) is unknown. Needless to say, this title requires a strong magnifying glass to read. An annoyingly cryptic but intriguing, fascinating tiny production.
Published by Winterberg: Johann Steinbrener, s.a. [early 1900s], 1900
A miniature edition of Quran; published by the famous publisher Johann Steinbrener in Winterberg (Vimperk in Czech), Bohemia. A tiny book with red a leather cover, leather strap and magnifying glass. /// Leather binding with gilt ornament and coloured edges; hardback, 64° (27 x 37 mm), magnifying glass was detached and obviously tied back, condition: very good Book Language/s: Arabic.
Published by StateUniversity of New York Press, Albany, NY, 1983
ISBN 10: 0791465225ISBN 13: 9780791465226
Seller: Rainy Day Paperback, Bethel, CT, U.S.A.
Book
Trade Paperback. Condition: Near FINE. (5th printing). As new except for faintest scratches on covers and miniature corner bumps. This volume consists of an introduction to the science and sources of interpretation of the Qur'an and the first to surahs of the Qur'an. The treatment is comprehensive and thorough. While the work is based entirely on primary sources this volume includes a substantial bibliography of works on the Qur'an in Western languages. 290 indexed pages. .
Published by London : Sotheby's, 1994
Seller: Joseph Burridge Books, Chadwell Heath, United Kingdom
Book
Soft cover. Condition: Fine. 131 pages: numerous illustrations.