Persian MS 29 (The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, The University of Manchester)
Persian Manuscripts
Contents
For other copies of this text held in the Rylands see Persian MS 533, 534, and 851, as well as in the Haft Awrang (Seven Thrones) Persian MS 949.
Physical Description
Collation
Condition
Layout
Written in 1 to 2 columns with 14 lines per page. Ruled with a misṭarah hand guide.
Hand(s)
Copied by Shāh Muḥammad al-Katīb
Decoration
Illustration: A single illustration appears on folio 111b, possibly the remnant of a double-page outdoor princely scene now nearly completely obliterated, possibly completed in late 16th centry Qazvin, and mounted on a illuminated folio that resembles 1a.
Illumination:The text of the current first folio (the original opposite now missing) outlined in cloudbands infilled with gold, with surrounding margins featuring floral scrollwork in blue and pink agianst a solid gold ground.
Inscriptions: The third right flyleaf a side (f. iiia) signed ‘Edw Galley’ by former owner Edward Galley adjacent to his seal impression.
The final left flyleaf b side (f. vib) numbered ‘Nº 12’.
Bookplates and pasted item: The left pastedown bears an unsigned note in Edward Galley's hand, ‘Bibliotheca Lindesiana’ bookplate with pencilled shelfmark ‘F/10’, and ‘Bland MSS No. 39’, with the name and number crossed out and ‘Persian’ and ‘123’ written aside.
Binding
Probably rebound in a European manner for former Edward Galley, possibly in Surat
Text remargined and endpapers of the same paper added at beginning and end. Sewn on three cord supports, laced into pasteboards. Edges trimmed, with front-bead decorative endbands sewn at head and tail. Covered in full medium-brown goatskin leather.
The Right board bears a paper label with the title and author's name in Persian.
Spine lettered with the transliterated title in gold.
200 × 131 × 29 mm.
Binding in good condition, with boards warped and yawning.
The third right flyleaf a side (f. iiia) bears a black oval seal impression, intaglio-carved in one nasta‘līq script line, double-ruled, with the name of former owner Edward Galley
9 × 14 mm.
History
Provenance and Acquisition
Subsequently by Edward Galley (ca. 1750-1804) who signed and impressed his seal upon the third right flyleaf a side (f. iiia). He possibly obtained the volume while serving as East India Company Resident at Bushire (Bushehr) between 1780 to 1787. Ultimately Collector-General of Surat, India where he passed away, Galley's executors subsequently sold his library there; however, the identity of the purchaser and circumstances of the volume's arrival in Britain remain unclear (see Robinson, p. 209).
Later obtained by Persian scholar Nathaniel Bland (1803-1865) from an unknown source for for his library at Randalls Park, Leatherhead. After his death, London bookseller Bernard Quaritch (1819–1899) sold his oriental manuscripts to Alexander Lindsay, 25th Earl of Crawford (1812–1880) in 1866, and moved to Bibliotheca Lindesiana at Haigh Hall, Wigan.
Purchased by Enriqueta Rylands (1843–1908) in 1901 from James Ludovic Lindsay, 26th Earl of Crawford (1847–1913).
Bequeathed by Enriqueta Rylands (1843–1908) in 1908 to the John Rylands Library, Manchester.
Record Sources
Bibliographical description based on an index created by Reza Navabpour circa 1993. Identification of provenance based on manuscript catalogue by Michael Kerney, circa 1890s.
Codicological description derived from B. W. Robinson, Persian Paintings in the John Rylands Library: A Descriptive Catalogue (London, 1980).
Manuscript description by Jake Benson in 2023 with reference to the volume in hand.
Availability
To book an in-person or online appointment to consult the manuscript, visit Using the Special Collections Reading Rooms. For any other enquiries please email uml.special-collections@manchester.ac.uk.
Bibliography
Funding of Cataloguing
Iran Heritage Foundation
The John Rylands Research Institute
The Persian Heritage Foundation
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