A Rare Arabic Horn Book with Verses of the Koran Probably North African of the 19th Century 56 [Koran; Arabic; Horn Book, Africa]. MANUSCRIPT KORAN HORN BOOK IN ARABIC, hand-painted on wood. (: probably North Africa, circa 1850) A large manuscript horn book painted on wood, with gray undercoat and calligraphy in black with decorative borders. 16” x 12”, Painted, lettered and decorated on both sides, with the original hanging cord. Very finely preserved and with little wear. RARE ARABIC HORN BOOK. Probably used for teaching alphabet and Koran verses to students and probably from North Africa. $950.
A Rare and Important Autograph Letter Signed David Livingstone - The Great English Explorer Author of “Missionary Travels and Researches” - 1857 57 Livingstone, David. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (“David Livingstone”) to Dr. Tidman, Secretary of the London Missionary Society (No place: Livingstone’s Blue Stationery, 22 February 1858) The original letter unrestored. 230 x 184mm, noted at the top, “A true copy, D.L.”, three pages, written on blue paper in greyish-brown ink, folded once. One page, folio, folded once. A clean copy, with remains of mounting on the last page, blank but for the note, “copy to Dr. Tidman.” A RARE AND IMPORTANT AUTOGRAPH LETTER FROM LIVINGSTONE. A fine letter expressing concern that money raised for his explorations in central Africa should be properly used: “...I am anxious for my own satisfaction and the information of those who may enquire to know when it is likely that young missionaries who are expected to commence the Zambesi mission will...take their departure from this country. Abundant funds having been furnished for all that is needed in the case, and there being no obstacle in the path through the Cape Colony I should be glad to be assured before my departure that the intentions of your friends in subscribing so liberally are likely soon to be realized....” Livingstone’s MISSIONARY TRAVELS AND RESEARCHES IN SOUTH AFRICA...relates the story of his first great expedition (1853-56), during which he explored the Zambesi and its Victoria Falls. It is still considered one of the most important of all 19th century books on African exploration by one of the greatest explorer/missionaries of all time. It is entered in Printing and the Mind of Man as one of the greatest and most important books ever penned. “...David Livingstone, the Scottish medical missionary, is known to history as the greatest explorer of his age and a dedicated humanitarian who devoted his life to the eradication of the African slave trade. He was a national hero to his contemporaries and time has confirmed his reputation as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of the eminent Victorians, both in his achievement and in his influence.” - George Myrtle $5750.
A Leaf From the Book of Job - 13th Century - Vellum A Very Rare Leaf From a Monumental Manuscript Bible Of Great Influence to Gutenberg - Two Centuries Later 58 Manuscript Leaf, 13th Century. A VERY RARE THIRTEENTH CENTURY LEAF OF MANUSCRIPT, FROM THE BOOK OF JOB, on vellum. (Manuscript: Handwritten, 13th century) The vellum leaf, from a 13th century copy of the Bible, is from a Monumental Bible of the period, a Bible of extremely large size. Written in double columns of 26 lines in black, red and blue, headlines in blue and red, illuminated with one very large initial in blue and red and richly embellished in bright gold and over 13 lines in height, on the verso is a second large initial, being 9 lines tall also in blue, red and gold. 18 1/2” x 13” inches, period manuscript on vellum. Written on the Recto and Verso of a single leaf. A beautifully preserved example. AN EXTREMELY RARE AND DESIRABLE LEAF FROM A THIRTEENTH CENTURY MANUSCRIPT BIBLE. This is a very rare form for the Bible and it is a direct predecessor to the Gutenberg Bible and was one of the Bibles which Gutenberg studied in order to design his Bible and to form and develop his own fonts for use in printing his great printed Bible which was issued in Mainz some two centuries later. Leaves of this size and age and beauty are of great rarity. $7500.
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