Astronomy & Astrology

Observations of the Movements of Sun and Stars during the year 1287 H. [1870 AD] for Submission to the Sultan.

Manuscript in Ottoman Turkish
54 pp., c. 16.5 x c. 10.5 cm
in acid-free cardboard box, includes original leather covers.

Restored in museum quality: Cleaning of surface, some pages stabilised with coated Japanese paper, glued by using alcohol.
Window fold for individual sheets

Müneccimbaşı / Chief Astronomer of Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz (1830-1876) –

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Three Manuscripts (1) Kifāyat al-waqt li-maʿrifat al-dāʾir wa- faḍlihi wa-ʾl-samt. (2) Tashil al-miqat (3) Faraḥ Fazā

Three Manuscripts in Ottoman Turkish Bound in 1 Volume
Copied by Abdullah Seyyid Feyzullah b. Ahmad in 1166 H [1752 A.D.]
70 fol.,
20 x 13 cm.
Cardboard cover with leather spine

Mustafa ibn Ali al-Muwaqqit, died 978 [1571] –

ad (1): Kifāyat al-waqt li-maʿrifat al-dāʾir wa- faḍlihi wa-ʾl-samt, also known as Risāla fī al-muqanṭarāt, 936 H [1529 AD] written in Ottoman Turkish; it deals with various aspects of geometry, trigonometry and astronomy and also mentions an astronomical instrument called rubʿ al-muqanṭarāt (astrolabe quadrant). ad (2): Tashil al-miqat, written in Ottoman Turkish in 936 H. [1529 AD ], deals with the science of time measurement and the sine quadrant (al-rub' al-mujayyab). ad (3): Faraḥ Fazā, dedicated to the Grand Vi...
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Sundials – On Instruments to Measure Prayer Times

Attractive Naskhi script with 36 sketches and 6 tables.
54 pp., 13.5 x 22 cm
Unknown copist
Late 18th, possible early 19th century
Marbled binding

Sundials can be found on the walls of many Ottoman mosques to determine prayer times which are formed by the shadow formed by the angles of movement of the sun. The inscription on the marbled cover reads "the book of Şakir Efendi" which indicates that the manuscript stems from the estate of Şakir Efendi of Bozoklu, a statesman, scholar and astronomist in the Ottoman Empire. The first page begins with „al-maqala al-thalitha“ (third article) which indicates the fragmentary character of the manuscript. It...
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