lithographed from a manuscript copied by Hafiz Osman Effendi, in original metal locket incorporating magnifying glass.
Glasgow, D. Bryce & Son, c. 1900.
Glasgow Qur'an used by british troops. David Bryce of Glasgow (1845-1923) was one of the world's most prolific and successful publishers of miniature books. He was a bookseller at the tender age of 17 and took over the family publishing house after the passing of his father in 1870. Although the printing of miniature Qur'ans was already established in Delhi and Istanbul by the late nineteenth century, it is this Bryce miniature Qur'an that achieved the widest circulation. These Bryce Qur'ans were supplied to British-Muslim troops during the First World War, where they were worn as pendants that carried talismanic properties as well as serving as functional Qur'ans for reading with the help of the magnifying glass incorporated into the carrying case (see NLS website for more on Bryce and this edition of the Qu'ran). This example includes a charming 'For Luck' inscription to the front free endpaper, dated '14.8.17', which strongly indicated that it once belonged to one such soldier fighting in the First World War.
These miniature Qur'ans are also famously mentioned in The Seven Pillars of Wisdom (Book 4, Chapter 53) by T. E. Lawrence:'[Auda] told me later, in strict confidence, that thirteen years before he had bought an amulet Koran for one hundred and twenty pounds and had not since been wounded.... The book was a Glasgow reproduction, costing eighteen pence; but Auda's deadliness did not let people laugh at his superstition'.
Single volume, miniature lithographed Qur'an, in Arabic, complete, 27 x 19 mm (32 x 25 mm with case); clean and crisp condition, ink inscription to front free endpaper, housed in original gilt stamped limp morocco covers, in original decorated metal case with magnifying glass.
These miniature Qur'ans are also famously mentioned in The Seven Pillars of Wisdom (Book 4, Chapter 53) by T. E. Lawrence:'[Auda] told me later, in strict confidence, that thirteen years before he had bought an amulet Koran for one hundred and twenty pounds and had not since been wounded.... The book was a Glasgow reproduction, costing eighteen pence; but Auda's deadliness did not let people laugh at his superstition'.
Single volume, miniature lithographed Qur'an, in Arabic, complete, 27 x 19 mm (32 x 25 mm with case); clean and crisp condition, ink inscription to front free endpaper, housed in original gilt stamped limp morocco covers, in original decorated metal case with magnifying glass.
About us
Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.
Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 106 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.
We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.
