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Miniature Qur'an, By David BRYCE

Creator: David BRYCE
Offered by: Shapero Gallery

Description
[QUR'AN]. BRYCE, David. (publisher)
Miniature Qur'an,
lithographed from a manuscript copied by Hafiz Osman Effendi, in original metal locket incorporating magnifying glass.

Stock Code 110927
Glasgow, D. Bryce & Son, c. 1900.
Current price £2,250.00

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.

Provenance
Provenance: Gifted by a serving officer in the First World War to a friend, possibly another officer, during the First World War on the 14th August 1917: inscription reading 'For Luck, from TGW80664, 14.8.17' (to front free endpaper).

More Information

Documentation:	Documented elsewhere (similar item)
Period:	1900-1919
Creation Date:	1900
Styles / Movements:	Other
Dealer Reference #:	110927
Incollect Reference #:	690172

Dimensions

W.	25 mm;	L.	32 mm;

Message from Seller:

Shapero Gallery Located in the heart of Mayfair, London, Shapero Gallery specializes in prints and original works on paper, ranging from antique prints to modern pochoir plates and photography. For inquiries, contact us at +44.207.493.0876 or gallery@shapero.com.

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