#O19
1836
First edition. Octavo (ca. 22,5x15 cm). 2 vols. 8, 847; [6], 850-1693 pp. (numbered in Eastern Arabic system). Text in Ottoman Turkish within printed border, first pages of text in both volumes decorated with traditional floral and geometric ornaments. Late 19th century Ottoman red quarter sheep with decorative stamped cloth boards and gilt lettered titles on the spines; marbled endpapers, all edges speckled. Bindings slightly rubbed on extremities, paper slightly age toned, an ink note on the last page of vol. 2, but overall a very good copy.
A grand Islamic historiographical work by a noted Ottoman historian and writer, presenting a comprehensive world history written from the Muslim perspective. The narration starts from the creation of the Universe, covering history of the first prophets, establishment of the Islamic Caliphate, history of the Ottoman Empire from Sultan Osman (1299) to Sultan Abdulhamid I (1774), et al. The book was published in the Ottoman court typography on the special order of Sultan Mahmud II (1785-1839), and was supported by the Ottoman Ministry of Education. Mehmed Sa’it Efendi dedicated ten years of research to his “Tarih-i Gülşen-i Maarif” which was based on several authoritative Ottoman historical works, including those by Hoca Sâdeddin Efendi (1536-1599), Râşid Mehmed Efendi (1670-1735), Süleyman İzzî (d. 1755) and others. Özege 6421.
