SIGNED MUHAMMAD SHAFI’ BIN NASRALLAH, SAFAVID IRAN, DATED 13 RAJAB AH 1051/18 OCTOBER 1641 AD

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HAMDULLAH AL-MUSTAWFI AL-QAZWINI (D. 1339 AD): NUZHAT AL-QULUB
SIGNED MUHAMMAD SHAFI’ BIN NASRALLAH, SAFAVID IRAN, DATED 13 RAJAB AH 1051/18 OCTOBER 1641 AD
A cosmographical work with special emphasis on the geography of Persia, Persian manuscript on paper, 214ff., plus two flyleaves, 22ll. of black nasta’liq, keywords and phrases picked out and underlined in red, catchwords, occasional diagrams and tables including a bifolio illustrated with a map of the world, colophon signed and dated, first folio lacking, with later owner’s seal impression, flyleaves with later owner’s notes, in brown morocco, scattered small repairs
Folio 9 ¾ x 7 ½in. (24.6 x 18.9cm.)

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Lot Essay

The present text remains one of the most important sources on the human geography of the last period of the Ilkhanid empire. The author Hamdullah held the position of al-Mustawfi (a high-ranking financial accountant), and was an associate of the prominent historian Rashid al-Din Hamadani, who inspired many of his historical works. Drawing from his own experience and documents gathered as a financial official, in this text the author presents valuable information on administration, commerce and economic life in this period (Spuler, 1986, p.122). Another copy of this text has sold in these Rooms, 26 April 2018, lot 41.

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