Arabie

Arabie — marelibri

1840Very Good Turkish, Ottoman (1500-1928) Original full leather bdg. in Islamic style with a flap. Demy 8vo. (22 15 cm). In Ottoman script (Old Turkish with Arabic letters). 285 p. Rebacked to spine, slight wear on binding. Overall a good copy. Early Turkish edition of the book of parrot (or the book of Humayun), which is a 14th-century series of 52 stories, originally written in Persian, translated by Sari Abdullah Efendi (1584-1660), who was an Ottoman mystic poet and scholar. The adventure stories narrated by a parrot, night after night, for 52 successive nights, are moralistic stories to persuade his female owner Khojasta not to commit any adulterous act with any lover, in the absence of her husband. She is always on the point of leaving the house to meet her lover until the loyal parrot detains her with a fascinating story. The authorship of the text of the Tutinama is credited to Ziya'al-Din Nakhshabi or just Nakhshabi, an ethnic Persian physician and a Sufi saint who had migrated to Badayun, Uttar Pradesh in India in the 14th century, and wrote in the Persian language. He had translated and/or edited a classical Sanskrit version of the stories similar to Tutinama into Persian, around 1335 AD. It is conjectured that this small book of short stories, moralistic in theme, influenced Akbar during his formative years. It is also inferred that since Akbar had a harem (of women siblings, wives, and women servants), the moralistic stories had a specific orientation towards the control of women. The main narrator of the 52 stories of Tutinama is a parrot, who tells stories to his owner, a woman called Khojasta, in order to prevent her from committing any illicit affair while her husband (a merchant by the name Maimunis) is away on business. The merchant had gone on his business trip leaving behind his wife in the company of a mynah and a parrot. The wife strangles the mynah for advising her not to indulge in illicit affairs. The parrot, realizing the gravity of the situation, adopts a more indirect approach of narrating fascinating stories over the next fifty-two nights. The stories are narrated every successive night as an entertaining episode to keep Khojasta's attention and distract her from going out. The Persian text used was redacted in the 14th century AD from an earlier anthology 'Seventy Tales of the Parrot'in Sanskrit compiled under the title Sukasaptati (a part of katha literature) dated to the 12th century AD. In India, parrots (in light of their purported conversational abilities) are popular as storytellers in works of fiction. (Source: Wikipedia). Özege 21353., OCLC 165609299.

Manuscript Nautical Documents - CeylonMareMagnum

Light Vessels at Ceylon: Two Manuscript Nautical Documents, being Memorandums Pertaining to the Temporary Light Houses at Great Basses Reef and Little Basses Rocks Off Southern Shores of the Island.

1869The light vessels being the predecessors of the two permanent lighthouses of Ceylon fame, situated some fourteen kilometers apart off the coast of Yala National Park. Two folio documents: April 1869 double leaf true copy of a memorandum on winds and currents at Little Basses; April 1870 single leaf notice to sea captains announcing the temporary lighthouse near the Great Basses, issued by Colonial Secretary Henry Turner Irving (later Governor) and penned in a secretarial hand; both on blindstamped stationery of the United States Commercial Agency of Ceylon measuring approximately 20 x 32 cm. Slight age-toning, otherwise in very good condition, rare documents connected to two offshore lighthouses which are among the most famous in Asia. This fascinating and detailed manuscript lighthouse report, was made prior to the actual lighthouses having been constructed, by a sea captain who lived on the light ship anchored off the Ceylon southern shore for at least seven years, making important observations and providing light for navigators. The first document is an annual report by John Buchanan, master of the light vessel at Little Basses, describing seasonal wind and weather conditions, sea currents, tides, monsoons and storms, over the period of one year. The captain also describes steamships having difficulties making the passage to shore. This document being a true copy of the original made in April 1869 by Thomas Steele, Assistant Government Agent at Hambantota, who took a noteworthy interest in local antiquities and Sinhalese literature. [An admiralty notice based on Buchanan's memorandum, though slightly edited, was published in the London and China Telegraph, Vol. 12, May 16, 1870, and also in The Nautical Magazine and Naval Chronicle for 1870]. Excerpts from Buchanan's lightship memorandum: ".... at Little Basses Rocks, Ceylon, during 13 months as observed from the Light Ship." "January [1869]... It would not be inaccurate to say that a strong current continues throughout January coming from the NNE from the Bay of Bengal setting S.S.W. Sea crossing very rough all the month.... both wind and tide against them...difficult for ships to get to the Northeast. It would be well not to attempt to do so." "February... towards the end of the month the wind becomes much lighter. The northerly current also slacken. Occasionally in the month the Light Vessel swings. In 1868, however, she did not swing until April, while in the current year (1869) she swings in February. During the seven years I have been here, the SW monsoon has not hitherto set in regularly until from the 4th to the 10th of May. This year it has been steady at SW since April 6th. The present year is accordingly an exception to the rule..." "I consider March one of our finest months at the Little Basses... 87º in the shade... Shipmasters going to any part of Burmah need have no cause for hesitation... " "May... the monsoon sets in strong and steady... much rain falls, and thunder and lightning... until about the 20th October..." "June, July, August and September... the S.W. monsoon blows strong and steady... Notwithstanding the extreme difficulty I have been enabled (occasionally at much risk of life and property) to keep up a monthly communication with Pottana Bay [Pothana Bay], and thence by land with Galle." "November... much thunder and lightning... Floating bodies invariably I have observed, set right out to sea, S.S.W. ..." "Summary... There are no regular tides... the N.E. monsoon... during five months without variation. Thus a steamer steering N.N.E., has not only to oppose a three-knot tide opposed to her, but the wind dead against her... some steamers barely make two miles an hour going to the north... When the sun goes to the northward of the Light Ship, there is no more N.E. monsoon... in the event of a vessel making Dondra Head when bound to Galle, which is not uncommon the Master should never attempt to beat to Galle, but recross the line." End Excerpts. "Notice to Mariners, Bay of Bengal. Temporary Lighthouse near the Great Basses" heads the second document, which was issued by Colonial Secretary Henry T. Irving at Colombo in April 1870. Irving became a colonial governor not long after. Here too, prior to construction of a permanent structure, the admiralty anchored a temporary light-vessel upon which was mounted a revolving signal. This announcement came approximately one year before placement of the first stone for the lighthouse, and four years before it would begin operation. Excerpt from Irving's notice to mariners: "... it is hereby notified... that a light-vessel, exhibiting at an elevation of 38 feet above the sea, a red revolving light at intervals of 45 seconds, has been placed... at a distance of 3/4 of a mile from the N.E. rock of the Great Basses Reef... The vessel carries two balls vertical at the Mast Head." End Excerpt. Sir Henry Turner Irving, GCMG (1833-1923) was a British Civil Servant and Colonial Administrator. He first served as acting Governor of British Ceylon. In 1873-1874, he served as Governor of the Leeward Islands. In 1874-1880, he served as Governor of Trinidad and Tobago. In 1882-1887, he served as Governor of British Guiana. He was the first Governor of Trinidad to occupy the Government House, now known as the President's House. Notes on the lighthouses that subsequently replaced the "light-ships" described above: Great Basses Reef Lighthouse is an offshore lighthouse in the south of Sri Lanka. Accessible only by boat, it is located on a reef 13 km off the coast of Yala National Park, near Little Basses Reef Lighthouse. The necessity of a lighthouse at this location was acknowledged in 1856, a design of an iron tower on a granite base was suggested and costs began to be incurred without fruition. A new design by Alexander Gordon and Sir James Nicholas Douglass was approved in 1867. The executive engineer in charge was James' brother William Douglass. Two steam vessels were used, each capable of carrying 120 tonnes of stone, and each equipped with the appropriate lifting gear. Each support block weighed 2 to 3 tons. The first stone was laid in December 1870, the last in late 1872 and the light was lit in March 1873. The cost had been £63,000, of which £40,000 had been expended to no effect before Trinity House and William Douglass were involved. Little Basses Reef Lighthouse is an active offshore lighthouse at the southern end of Sri Lanka. It is located on a reef called Kuda Ravana Kotuwa (Fort of Little Ravana), formerly called Little Basses by the British when they invaded Ceylon. It is fourteen km off the coast of Yala National Park and north east of the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse. It was completed in 1878, built by William Douglass using the same steam ships, crew and workers as the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse. Designed by Sir James Nicholas Douglass, Little Basses lighthouse was one of a limited number of lighthouses that were designed to house the large Hyperradiant Fresnel lenses that became available at the end of the 19th century. Four of these lenses were used in Sri Lankan lights, all made by Chance Brothers in England. The lighthouse is close to Daedalus Rock, site of the sinking of HMS Daedalus (1811). The two Basses lighthouses are among the most famous offshore lighthouses of Asia. Manuscript

Voyager Press Rare Books & Manuscripts · Kanada904,03 €

HERBELOT BARTHELEMY DEMareMagnum

Bibliotheque orientale, ou dictionaire universel contenant generalement tout ce qui regarde la connoisasance des Peuples de l'Orient. Leurs histories et traditions veritables ou fabuleuses. Leurs religions, secteset politique. Leurs Gouvernements, Loix, Coûtumes, Mœurs, Guerres, & les Revolutions de leurs Empires…

1697In Folio (mm 340x240); 16 carte non num., pagine 1059, (1); frontespizio in rosso e nero; legatura in tutta pelle coeva con dorso a sei nervi, titolo e fregi agli scomparti, titolo su tassello, tagli spruzzati. Buon esemplare con qualche traccia di usura lieve alla legatura, cuffie restaurate. Internamente ottimo esemplare fresco e marginoso, ma occhiello con un restauro, prime carte con piccola mancanza all'angolo inf. Prima edizione di questa celebre opera fondamentale per la conoscenza del mondo orientale basata sulla immensa bibliografia arabica di Hadji Khalfa (Katip Çelebi), di cui d'Herbelot fece sostanzialmente un ampio compendio aggiungendo però numerose notizie da altre fonti arabe e turche, a stampa e manoscritte. L'opera fu pubblicata postuma, due anni dopo la morte, dall'orientalista Galland. Furono stampate quattro edizioni, l'ultima nel 1781-83. Atabey, 563: "Herbelot spent the last thirty years of his life working on his Bibliothèque orientale, a landmark in Arabic studies which was unfinished at his death and completed and published two years later by the orientalist Antoine Galland in 1697. He knew a range of languages, including Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Aramaic, Syriac, and Hebrew, and was familiar with their literature and history, of which this work forms an encyclopaedia." Brunet II, 664; Zischka 15; Graesse II, 376 First edition, folio, pp. [32], 1059, [1]; title page printed in red and black, woodcut ornaments and initials; full contemporary calf, gilt-decorated spine in 6 compartments, red morocco label in 1. Good general condition, edges somewhat worn, some restorations at spine, short-title reinforced and restored, titlepage and next two leaves with minor defects and small lacks at bottom corner. Based on the immense Arabic bibliography (the Kashf al-Zunun) of Hadji Khalfa (Katip Çelebi), of which it is largely an abridged translation, but it also contains the substance of a vast number of other Arabic and Turkish compilations and manuscripts. Four editions of this encyclopedia on the culture and history of the Near East were printed, the last being 1781-83. Atabey, 563: "Herbelot spent the last thirty years of his life working on his Bibliothèque orientale, a landmark in Arabic studies which was unfinished at his death and completed and published two years later by the orientalist Antoine Galland in 1697. He knew a range of languages, including Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Aramaic, Syriac, and Hebrew, and was familiar with their literature and history, of which this work forms an encyclopaedia." A supplement compiled by Claude de Visdelou was published in 1780. Brunet II, 664; Zischka 15; Graesse II, 376

Libreria Antiquaria Perini s.a.s. · Italien1.500,00 €

HUXLEY, Henry MinorMareMagnum

Five Manuscript Letters from the American Archaeological Expedition To Middle East in which he discusses Stone Inscription Discovery which were subsequently Concealed

1900Beirut, Damascus, Hama, Bhamdoun: 28 February 1900 - June 1901. Lot of 5 manuscript letters written and signed by Harvard anthropologist Henry Minor Huxley, concerning anthropological work performed for the Howard Crosby Butler Archaeological Expedition to the Middle East, as well as a noteworthy archaeological discovery of an ancient and curious stone inscription, its location guarded with secrecy by the few expedition members having this knowledge. 8vo. double-leafs varying in size. 24 pages combined, each letter signed in the original. Two letters are on hotel stationery. Occasional light creasing, otherwise in very good condition, clean and bright, a fascinating and candid primary source account. Writing to a trusted source, his mother, Huxley's reveals the discovery of an ancient inscription carved into an overturned stone, in a language possibly not yet identified, stating that he took the first photograph of it, and that only a select few expedition members are privy to knowing its location. His commentary on experiences with the local civilians and officials are straightforward and occasionally blunt. Henry Minor Huxley, A.M. accepted the offer to join the American Archaeological Expedition led by American archaeologist Howard Crosby Butler. The first part of the archaeological work took place from mid-October to mid-December 1899, and a second trip was made for continued work from March to June, 1900. In the summer of 1900, he was devoted to acquiring a working knowledge of the vernacular Arabic. Huxley's work, however, involved a broader scope. During this second trip, he was also tasked with the study of physical anthropology, as is apparent in the present correspondence. This work proved so valuable that Huxley, owing to the patronage of New York businessman and archeological enthusiast B.T. Babbitt Hyde, remained for another year to further these anthropological observations, independently. What does not appear to be officially documented in publications, but is highly fascinating, is what Huxley writes in his last letter of the present lot. That is, in June 1901, just prior to returning to America, he alone returned to the site of a stone inscription discovered during the earlier part of the expedition (presumably in 1899), to copy it, photograph it, and turn it back face down so that no others would see it. This would increase the likelihood that he and one other would have a better chance of being the first to decipher it.

Voyager Press Rare Books & Manuscripts · Kanada1.668,98 €

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