Suleiman purchase manuscripts^[1], temp. nos. 160-190

 

Accompanying materials:  All mss have two slips of paper inserted:

"Sulaiman 690713-156"

"Counted for 1968/69 Annual Report"

 

160.  al-Hasan ibn Yusuf ibn al-Mutahhar al-Hilli, 1250-1325.

Muhtalaf al-shi`ah fi ahkam al-shari`ah : manuscript, [1629].

1 v. ; 26 cm.

Contents:  A work on Islamic law and its interpretations according to the Shi`i tradition, in Arabic.  Copy defective; beginning missing, text begins at fasl 4.

Dates in colophon:  written 5 Dhu al-Hijjah 708 [i.e. 16 May 1309]; copied 14 Rabi` al-thani 1039 [i.e. 1 December 1629].

Physical description:  Text rubricated.  Binding: red leather with simple gold borders.

Accompanying material:

Blue slip of paper with verses [?] and owner's autograph and seal, dated 1245 [i.e. 1829 or 30].

 

161.  Mas`ud ibn `Umar al-Taftazani, 1322-1389?

al-Talwih ila kashf haqa'iq al-tanqih : manuscript, [1431].

1 v. ; 27 cm.

Contents:  Commentary on a work on Islamic law, in Arabic, copied in Samarqand.

Date in colophon:  end of Shawwal 834 [i.e. July 1431]

Text (not this copy) published.

Physical description:  Text rubricated; vol. has edge title:  talwih.  Binding: dark brown leather with red borders; lighter-colored medallions on front and back covers.

 

162.  Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Jazuli, d. 1495.

Dala'il al-khayrat : manuscript, [n.d.].

1 v. ; 27 cm.

Contents:  Popular devotional work, includes prayers, the names of God, the attributes of the Prophet, etc, in Arabic.

Text (not this copy) published.

Physical description:  Illuminated `unwan; text vocalized, gilded roundels mark ends of verses and sentences; text enclosed in borders of gold, red, and black. Binding:  Red paper; spine stamped in gold:  Qur`an karim.

Accompanying materials:

a.  Slip of paper with notes in Jameson's handwriting:  "Sections from the Koran/Collection of prayers./Sulaiman purchase/10-20-70"

b.  Slip of paper with notes in Jameson's handwriting:  "?Section of the Koran?/Bought on Mr. Sulaiman's trip. All on one order no./Brought to RBR on 10-27-70 by Mr. Eilts. Purchased by Mr. Sulaiman from Librarie Tunisienne in 1967. Letter & invoice in MSS file."

 

163.  Hashiyat Sa`di Halabi `ala al-Hidayah : manuscript, [between 1575 and 1576].

1 v. ; 27 cm.

Contents:  Two works: 1.  commentary on a work by Sa`d ibn `Isa ibn Mir Khan on Islamic law, 2.  Kitab al-buyu`, on applications of Islamic law in the matter of selling; in Arabic.

Dates in colophon:  Rabi` al-akhir 984 [i.e. June-July 1576] (at end of Sharh al-hidayah); 983 (at end of Kitab al-buyu`).

Physical description:  Text rubricated and enclosed in blue borders; vol. has edge title: Sa`di `ala al-Hidayah.  Binding:  Red leather with stamped central medallions.

 

164.  Abu al-Qasim al-Husayn ibn Muhammad Raghib al-Isfahani, d. 1108 or 9.

Muhadarat al-udaba' wa-muhawarat al-bulagha' : manuscript, [1670].

1 v. (293 f.) ; 30 cm.

Contents:  Belles-lettres compilation on various topics, in 25 chapters, in Arabic.

Date in colophon:  12 Sha`ban 1080 [i.e. 5 January 1670].

Text (not this copy) published.

Physical description:  Text rubricated, headings in slightly larger script; vol. has edge title.  Binding:  brown leather with central stamped medallion.

Accompanying material:

a.  Slip of paper with notes:  in pencil, "i.Researchers:Makdisi, George (University of Pennsylvania):Sulayman manuscripts examined by, July 1976 ;MAKDISI – III/Muhadarat al-udaba'"; in ink in hand of Jameson:  "Leave this slip in book/293 leaves, last blank/30 cm./Back cover detached."

 

165.  Nazr `Ali ibn Muhsin al-Hilani.

Inni qad katabtu fi awan al-sabi sharqan `ala al-`awamil al-mufadil … : manuscript, [n.d.].

1 v. ; 22 cm.

Contents:  unidentified, in Arabic.

Physical description:  Text not rubricated.  Binding: Brown cloth and green alligator-print paper.

Inscribed:  General Library/690713-156/Asadi/8-21-68.

 

166.  Prayer for forgiveness : manuscript, [n.d.].

1 v. ; 18 cm.

Contents:  Prayer asking for forgiveness from God, in Arabic.

Physical description:  Text not rubricated, fully vocalized; enclosed in borders of red, gold, black, and blue; paper sprinkled with gold.  Binding:  dark green leather.

 

167.  Collection of prayers in Arabic : manuscript, [n.d.].

1 v. ; 20 cm.

Contents:  Prayers in Arabic with Persian interlinear commentaries.

Physical description:  Illuminated `unwan, text rubricated, interlinear commentary in Persian in red ink, text enclosed in gold borders; decoration unfinished at end. Binding:  Black leather.

 

168.  `Abd al-Qadir ibn al-shaykh Muhammad Salih.

Sharh kitab al-ashbah wa-al-naza'ir : manuscript, [1680].

1 v. ; 27 cm.

Contents:  Commentary on the Kitab al-ashbah wa-al-naza'ir, by . 1563), Commentaries on;Zayn al-Din ibn Ibrahim ibn Nujaym (d. 1563) on Islamic law, in Arabic.

Date in colophon:  25 Ramadan 1091[?] [i.e. 19 October 1680]

Physical description:  Illuminated `unwan, text rubricated and enclosed in gold and blue borders; vol. has edge title:  kitab al-ashbah wa-al-nazayir.  Binding: dark red leather with stamped medallions on front and back covers.

 

169.  al-Sayyid al-sharif Nur Allah (?)

Sayyid Sharif `alá al-Kashshaf : manuscript, [1435].

1 v. ; 22 cm.

Contents:  Commentary on a book called al-Kashshaf by Jad Allah (?), in Arabic.

Date in colophon:  5 Rajab 838 [i.e. 4 February 1435].

Physical description:  VERY pretty illuminated `unwan in Kufic style; text rubricated in gold ink; vol. has edge title:  sayyid Sharif `ala al-Kashshaf.

 

170.  Unidentified text : manuscript, [1837].

1 v. ; 22 cm.

Contents:  Unidentified, in Persian.

Date in colophon:  Muharram 1253 [i.e. April-May 1837].

Physical description:  Text rubricated, marginal corrections in hand of copyist.  Binding:  brown leather with light-colored medallions on front and back.

Accompanying materials:

a.  Slip of paper with notes in handwriting of Jameson:  "1253 AH    1837 or 8 =colophon/Persian/title – ?/author – ?/Brought to RBR on 10-27-70 by Mr. Eilts./Purchased by Mr. Sulaiman from Librarie Tunisienne in 1967. Letter & invoice in MSS file./See inscription in book."

b.  Slip of paper with notes in handwriting of Jameson:  "'Coal-cellar' MS/Sulaiman purchase/10-20-70" [probably referring to the fact that it seems this ms was dropped into a coal bucket; lots of soot at end]

INSCRIBED:  General Library/643225-424/Haziq & Mohi/6-24-68

 

171.  Ja`far ibn al-Hasan al-Muhaqqiq al-Hilli, 1205 or 6-1277.

al-Mukhtasar al-nafi` fi fiqh al-imamiyah : manuscript, [1643].

1 v. ; 21 cm.

Contents:  Interpretation of Islamic law according to the Shi`ite tradition, in Arabic.

Date in colophon:  5 Jumada al-thani 1053 [i.e. 21 August 1643].

Text (not this copy) published.

Physical description:  Text rubricated, marginal commentaries and finding aids in hand of copyist.  Binding:  dark brown leather; paper label on spine: mukhtasar al-nafi`.

 

172.  al-Hasan ibn Abi al-Hasan al-Daylami.

Irshad al-qulub : manuscript, [1695?].

1 v. ; 24 cm.

Contents:  Handbook of religious lore, in Arabic.

Date in colophon:  Jumada al-akhir 1106[?] [i.e. January-February 1695?].

Physical description:  Text rubricated; marginal finding aids and commentary in hand of copyist and others(?).  Binding: Dark brown leather.

 

173.  Hamdu ibn Muhammad al-Sharif[?].

Hadha kitab aqwal mawlana `Abd Allah al-Sharif al-Hasani : manuscript, [1869].

Contents:  Biogaphy of a Maghribi sheikh, in Arabic.

Date in colophon:  Rabi` al-awwal 1286 [i.e. June-July 1869].

Physical description:  Text rubricated in red, brown, blue, and green; text enclosed in brown borders; Maghribi script, headings in larger script. Binding:  medium brown with stamped medallions on front and back.

Accompanying materials:

a.  Slip of paper:  "w/ Suleiman MSS in box"

b.  Slip of paper with notes in hand of Jameson:  "Biographical text/Hadith literature/Rabi` al-awwal 1386? or 1286?/Brought to RBR on 10-27-70 by Mr. Eilts./Purchased by Mr. Sulaiman from Librarie Tunisienne in 1967.  Letters & invoice in MSS file."

 

174.  Abu Bakr ibn Isma`il al-Shinnawi.

Hidayat dhawi al-albab : manuscript, [1757 or 8].

1 v. ; 22 cm.

Contents:  Commentary on a grammatical work by Khalid al-Azhari al-Waqqad called Muwassil al-tullab ila qawa`id al-i`rab, in Arabic.

Date in colophon:  Rabi` al-thani 1171 [i.e. December 1757-January 1758].

Physical description:  Text rubricated; marginal commentaries in hand of copyist, vol. has edge title:  Shinwali `ala qawa`id al-`arab. Binding:  dark brown leather, front cover missing.

 

175.  Kitab al-taharah : manuscript, [1582].

1 v. ; 21 cm.

Contents:  On Islamic ritual requirements.

Date in colophon:  Dhu al-Hijjah 989 [i.e. January 1582].

Physical description:  Text rubricated; marginal commentaries in Maghribi script; assorted inscriptions on flyleaves.  Binding: dark brown leather with stamped central medallion, front and back.

Accompanying material:

a.  Slip of paper with notes in handwritings of Eilts and Jameson:  "Kitab al-Taharah fiqh & other texts/on Islamic ritual requirements/Brought to RBR on 10-27-70 by Mr. Eilts./Purchased by Mr. Sulaiman from Librarie Tunisienne in 1967.  Letters & invoice in MSS file./author/date of mss unknown." On verso, "Hanifite legal texts."

INSCRIBED:  General Library/623379-221/Librairie Tunisienne/5-12-67

 

176.  Yusuf Qarabagh[?].

Hashiyat Yusuf Qarabagh `ala sharh `aqa'id Mulla Jalal : manuscript, [before 1810].

1 v. ; 25 cm.

Contents:  Commentary by the author on a commentary on a work by Mulla Jalal, on religious philosophy, in Arabic.

End date in colophon of Risalah-i imkan on back flyleaf:  1225[?].

Physical description:  Text not rubricated; extensive marginal commentary in hand of copyist.  Binding:  Colored paper and red leather, front cover missing.

 

177.  Muhammad ibn `Abd Allah ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Timirtashi al-Fazzi.

Sharh tanwir al-absar : manuscript, [n.d.].

Contents:  Commentary by the author on his own work entitled Tanwir al-absar  wa-jami` al-bihar, on Islamic law, in Arabic.

Physical description:  Text rubricated; vol. has edge title:  al-juz' al-awwal min kitab manh al-ghaffar.  Binding:  Dark red leather with gray-dotted paper.

 

178.  Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn `Ata Allah, d. 1309.

Kitab lata'if al-minan fi manaqib Abi al-`Abbas wa-shaykhihi Abi al-Hasan : manuscript, [n.d.] / ta'lif al-shaykh al-imam al-`alim al-`amil al-wali al-`arif sayyidi Taj al-Din ibn `Ata Allah al-Sikindari.

1 v. (116 f.) ; 22 cm.

Contents:  Biographies of the sheikhs Shihab al-Din Ahmad ibn `Umar Abu al-`Abbas al-Mursi (d. 1287) and Abu al-Hasan `Ali ibn `Abd Allah al-Shadhili (d. 1258).

Text (not this copy) published.

Physical description:  Text rubricated; on front and back flyleaves, unidentified poetry written in Maghribi script; vol. has edge title.  Binding:  brown leather with central stamped medallion on front and back.

Accmpanying materials:

a.  Slip of paper, on recto, notes in hand of John Eilts re author and title; on verso, notes in hand of Jameson:  "Brought to RBR on 10-27-70 by Mr. Eilts./Purchased by Mr. Sulaiman from Librarie Tunisienne in 1967.  Letters & invoice in MSS file./p. 1 of invoice/Biographical text"

b.  Slip of paper with notes in hand of Jameson:  "i.Researchers:Makdisi, George (University of Pennsylvania):Sulayman manuscripts examined by, July 1976 ;MAKDISI – II/Lata'if al-matn/Keep this slip with book." With pagination and size.

INSCRIBED:  General Library/623379-221/Librairie Tunisienne/5-12-67

 

179.  Abu al-Qasim al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Raghib al-Isfahani, d. 1108 or 9.

al-Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an : manuscript, [n.d.].

1 v. ; 26 cm.

Contents:  Dictionary of words appearing in the Koran, Arabic-Arabic; copy defective, text missing after entry for "nisa'."

Text (not this copy) published.

Physical description:  Illuminated `unwan; text rubricated and enclosed in gold, red, and black borders; vol. has edge title:  bi-mufradat al-Raghib.  Binding: red leather with gold-stamped medallions, front cover missing.

 

180.  Ahmad ibn Mustafá Tashkubrizadah, 1495-1561.

al-Shaqa'iq al-nu`maniyah fi `ulama' al-dawlah al-`Uthmaniyah : manuscript, [1558].

1 v. ; 15 cm.

Contents:  Collection of biographies of Turkish scholars, in Arabic.

Date in colophon:  end of Sha`ban 965 [i.e. June 1558].

Text (not this copy) published.

Physical description:  Nice illuminated `unwan, text rubricated and enclosed in gold borders; marginal finding aids in red and blue; vol. has edge title:  Shaqa'iq.  Binding: red leather stamped with central medallion front and back.

 

181.  al-Ghazzali,1058-1111.

Qawa`id al-`aqa'id : manuscript, [before 1778].

1 v. ; 21 cm.

Contents:  On the doctrines of Islam, in Arabic.

End date based on owner's mark on back flyleaf: 1192.

Text (not this copy) published.

Physical description:  Text rubricated.  Binding: dark red leather binding, front cover missing; spine has paper label:  kitab fi al-tasawwuf fi l[?] al-Islam …/wa-al-risalah al-qudsiyah/fi al-`aqayid.

 

182.  Sharh tanwir al-absar : manuscript, [n.d.].

1 v. (343 f.) ; 22 cm.

Contents:  First part of a commentary on a work entitled Tanwir al-absar, on Islamic law, in Arabic; copy defective, missing beginning (i.e. ff. 1-23) and end (i.e. after f. 366). Title and author name not found in text; identification based on edge title.

Physical description:  Text rubricated; marginal commentaries and corrections in hand of copyist; vol. has edge title:  al-juz' al-awwal min sharh Tanwir al-absar lil-shaykh `Abd al-Raziq (I could not verify whether `Abd al-Raziq is the author of the Tanwir or of the sharh). Binding:  brown leather with central stamped medallion; red leather spine.

Accompanying material:

a.  Slip of paper:  SEEN BY i.Researchers:Makdisi, George (University of Pennsylvania):Sulayman manuscripts examined by, July 1976 ;MAKDISI JULY, 1976.

 

183.  al-Astarabadi.

Hadha kitab sharh al-shafiyah fi al-tasrif wa-al-khatt : manuscript, [between 1662 and 1664] / lil-`alim al-afdal najm al-a'immah wa-fadil al-um al-radi al-Astarabadi.

1 v. (348 p.) ; 25 cm.

Contents:  Commentary on a work on grammar, in Arabic.

Dates of beginning and end of copying on title page: ghurrat Jumadá al-awwal 1073 [i.e. 12 December 1662]; 17 Dhu al-Qa`dah 1074 [11 June 1664].

Physical description:  Text rubricated, marginal commentaries and corrections in hand of copyist; title p. added in another hand on different paper; vol. has edge title: nass `alá al-Shafiyah.  Binding:  red leather and blue paper

INSCRIBED:  General Library/690713-156/al-Ahliyah/9-23-68

 

184.  Treatise on Arabic grammar : manuscript, [1596].

1 v. ; 22 cm.

Contents:  Commentary on a long poetical work on grammar, in Arabic.

Date in colophon:  24 Rabi` al-awwal 1005 [i.e. 15 November 1596].

Physical description:  Text rubricated; interlinear and marginal notes in hands of copyist and others; chapter titles and extracts from poetry written in larger script; vol. has edge title.  Binding: Green paper with red leather borders and spine.

 

185.  al-Juz' al-awwal min kitab Basa'ir al-darajat : manuscript, [1661].

1 v. ; 18 cm.

Contents:  On the characteristics of the imams of Islam, their omniscience, infallibility, etc., as related by various authors; in Arabic.

Date in colophon:  ghurrat Rabi` al-thani 1072 [i.e. 24 November 1661].

Physical description:  Text rubricated; marginal corrections in hand of copyist.  Binding:  red leather and blue paper, with red leather spine.

Accompanying material:

a.  Slip of paper:  SEEN BY i.Researchers:Makdisi, George (University of Pennsylvania):Sulayman manuscripts examined by, July 1976 ;MAKDISI July 1976

INSCRIBED:  General Library/690713-156/al-Ahliyah/9-23-68

 

186.  Thamarat al-`ushshaq : manuscript, [1828 or 9].

1 v. ; 21 cm.

Contents:  Collection (diwan) of poems in Persian by an unidentified author.

Date in colophon:  1244.

Physical description:  Text rubricated, many marginal corrections; vol. has edge title (basis of identification of this volume).  Binding:  soft dark brown leather covers, light brown leather spine.

 

187.  `Adud al-Din ibn `Abd al-Rahman ibn Ahmad al-Iji, d. 1355?

Sharh mukhtasar al-muntahá : manuscript, [1586].

1 v. (210 f.) ; 19 cm.

Contents:  Commentary on the Mukhtasar al-muntahá (composed in 1333 or 4) by `Uthman ibn `Umar ibn al-Hajib (1175-1249), on Islamic law. The Mukhtasar is, in turn, an abridgement of Muntahá al-su'al wa-al-amal fi `ilmay al-usul wa-al-jadal , on the principles of jurisprudence.  (Identification acc. to Makdisi.)

Date:  15 Jumada al-thani 994 [i.e. 3 June 1586].

Text (not this copy) published?

Physical description:  Text rubricated; marginal commentaries and corrections in hand of copyist; vol. has edge title:  sharh mukhtasar al-usul.  Binding: dark red leather with central stamped medallion, front and back; spine brown leather.

Accompanying materials:

a.  Slip of paper:  "MAKDISI – I/Sharh muktasar al-usul/Keep in book/210 leaves (last blank)/19 cm./Cannot be filmed."

b.  Slip of paper:  "Rare Book Room/Makdisi I/Do not film/(Sulaiman purchase)"

c.  Slip of paper with note addressed to Miss Jameson:  "Mr. Makdisi sends his greetings–he had to leave./He took enough notes to try to identify the author of Makdisi I and will let you know at once if he can find it./Attached is his translation of what he thought was the covered t.p./[signed; not identified]/10-17-74"

d.  Slip of paper with notes in pancil in hand of Makdisi:  "Covered writing=no t.p./7.5 lines=/This Book is made a charitable trust in an [unnamed] college … not to be taken out of the college or pawned."

e.  Copy of letter, i.Researchers:Makdisi, George (University of Pennsylvania):Sulayman manuscripts examined by, July 1976 ;Makdisi to Jameson, 17 November 1976:  "Thank you very much for the 3 folios of your manuscript temporarily designated as Makdisi I.  I have finally been able to identify this manuscript.  It is the Commentary on the Mukhtasar by `Adud ad-Din al-Iji (died A.H. 756/A.D. 1355) who finished the work in A.H. 734.  There are several copies of the same work in the Garrett Collection of the Firestone Library at Princeton University, designated under the following numbers:  Garrett 1478, 1479, 1627, 1628, 2170."

 

188.  Isma`il `Ajaluni al-Jarahi.

Hadhihi risalah mushtamilah `alá arba`in hadithan min arba`in kitaban min kutub al-hadith min kull kitab hadith wahid : manuscript, [1846] /li-janab al-imam al-`alim al-`allamah al-muhaddith wahid al-`asr wa-farid al-dahr al-shaykh Isma`il al-`Ajaluni al-Jarahi.

1 v. (11 p.) ; 22 cm.

Contents:  The author has compiled 40 prophetic traditions from 40 different compilations of traditions.

Date in colophon:  ghurrat Ramadan 1262 [i.e. 23 August 1846].

Physical description:  Text rubricated, finding aids in margins in red in hand of copyist. Binding:  soft brown paper.

 

189.  `Abd al-Hakim ibn Shams al-Din al-Siyalkuti, d. 1656.

Hashiyat al-Baydawi lil-wali `Abd al-Hakim al-Salakuti : manuscript, [n.d.].

1 v. ; 23 cm.

Contents:  Commentary on Anwar al-tanzil by . 1286?), Commentaries on;`Abd Allah ibn `Umar al-Baydawi (d. 1286?).

Physical description:  text rubricated, marginal corrections in hand of copyist; loose leaves inserted and small slips of paper bound in.  Binding:  both covers lost; brown leather spine.

 

190.  Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Jazuli, d. 1495.

Dala'il al-khayrat : manuscript, [n.d.].

1 v. (158 p.) ; 21 cm.

Contents:  Popular devotional work, includes prayers in praise of the Prophet, his 99 names, pictures of his tomb at Medina and of the mosque at Mecca, etc. Miscellaneous texts at beginning and end.

Text (not this copy) published.

Physical description:  Text rubricated in red, yellow, green, and blue; enclosed in red borders; more than one copyist; all in Maghribi script.  Binding:  Yellow paper with black cloth spine.

Accompanying materials:

a.  Slip of paper with notes in hands of Eilts and Jameson:  "Astrological text/various hands with introductions & commentaries Prayers./date unknown/author unidentified/Brought to RBR on 10-27-70 by Mr. Eilts./Purchased by Mr. Sulaiman from Librarie Tunisienne in 1967.  Letter & invoice in MSS file."  On verso:  "Religious text/prayers–/Dalail al-Hairat"

b.  Slip of paper:  "w/ Suleiman MSS in box"

 

Frank Schulte mss.

 

191.  Mir `Atta Muhammad.

Panj kitab : manuscript, [1921].

1 v. (85 f.) ; 26 cm.

Contents:  In Persian.  A collection of five poetical works (one is by Sa`di and another is by Farid al-Din `Attar; the other authors are not named) and a commentary by the author/compiler.  Dedicated to Sultan Ahmad Kabir of Kabul.  Inside front cover is dedication to Mirza (Prince) Muhammad Assaf Munajjim and the date 1310 of the Persian solar calendar.

Date in colophon.

Physical description:  Each of the five "books" begins with a beautifully illuminated `unwan; section headings also illuminated with foliate and animal figures; much interlinear gilding; illuminated "cartouches" containing no text at end of each "book."  Lacquer binding in Persian style with floral designs.

Accompanying materials:

a.  Small white card with notes in German (presumably handwriting of Dr. Gruening) on date of item.

b.  Page from legal pad, handwriting of J. Eilts, describing item in hand; labeled "Schulte Ms. w/ lacquer cover."

c.  Copy of letter, Frank J. Schulte of Grand Rapids, to Dr. Howard H. Peckham, Clements Library, U of M, 13 November 1976 (for full text see below).

d.  Copy of note on legal paper signed "HCJ"(for full text see below).

SOURCE:  Mr. Frank J. Schulte, 29 November 1976

 

192.  Abu al-Qasim Hasan al-Unsuri, fl. 1009-1041.

Hadha kitab Wamiq `Adhra : manuscript, [n.d.].

1 v. (478 p.) : ill. ; 29 cm.

Contents:  The romance of Wamiq (or Vamiq) and Adhra, in Persian.

Date:  in colophon, obliterated.

Text (not this copy) published.

Physical description:  `unwan, text rubricated; lines of poetry separated from text with blue rules; margins ruled in blue.  Contains many watercolor illustrations in a local (?) variant of Persian style.  Brown leather binding; title on 3 edges of vol.

Accompanying materials:

a.  "Happy New Year" card with black-and-white photographs showing carpet makers and a carpet seller; small white card stapled to inside with notes in German (presumably handwriting of Dr. Gruening).

b.  Page from legal pad, handwriting of J. Eilts, notes on physical descr. & contents.

c.  Copy of letter, Frank J. Schulte of Grand Rapids, to Dr. Howard H. Peckham, Clements Library, U of M, 13 November 1976:

"During a two-year period (1962-64) I was a member of the Public Administration Service team in Kabul, Afghanistan.  It was my good fortune to acquire, among other art objects, two illuminated manuscripts:  one, small, exquisitely written on parchment [in margin at this point:  "paper/HCJ"], the other a larger leather-bound book.  According to . (German embassy, Kabul):Schulte manuscripts examined by, 1962-64;Dr. Gruening, attached to the German Embassy in Kabul, the first is dated 1921 and was dedicated to a governor of Herat.  Dr. Gruening estimated that the book's cover is, perhaps, 200 to 250 years old.  (I wonder what vandalism was perpetrated to acquire the cover for the 1921 book).  The larger book is inferior quality-wise but has a large number of water-color illustrations.  The date of this book has been obliterated but might be determined by the use of infra-red light. It has been much used, perhaps by children, as one page shows some doodling.

"At the time Dr. Gruening examined these books he was in charge of a large exhibit of Oriental illuminated manuscripts from the Tuebingen, Germany, collection which had been brought to Kabul as part of the Afghan celebration of Jeshyn, the national independence week.

"I have enjoyed the possession of these treasures for a long time now and, should your library want them, will be delighted to donate them.  If you do want them, perhaps someone from the university who might have reason to be in Grand Rapids, will contact me." Further correspondence in Spec. Colls. admin. files shows that someone visited Mr. Schulte, obtained the two books, and they were deposited in Special Collections on 29 November 1976.

d.  Copy of note on legal paper signed "HCJ":  "Correspondence attached.  Mr. Eilts looked at them soon after they arrived but he was unable to catalog them.  The accession number is a problem as there are lots of unaccessioned Islamic MSS in the collection. Accession numbers are usually chronological by date of receipt.  Do we put these two before MSS that have been here twenty and more years? Obviously the latter cannot all be cataloged & accessioned now.  Or do we assign temporary accession numbers for purposes of shelving?  A big project–hence never done."

SOURCE:  Mr. Frank J. Schulte, ~1974