A Unique Ottoman calligrapher's diploma (Ijazat Nameh) bearing the names of Twenty-five Masters, signed by Hafiz Ibrahim Faiki, Turkey, dated 1223 AH/1807 AD

Ottoman Turkish manuscript on paper, 22 lines to the page, written in naskh script with a heading in thuluth script in black ink, within cloudbands against a gold ground, text separated by gold rosettes of varying interlacing stellar and geometric forms, illuminated headpiece decorated with leafy floral sprays set against blue, red, black and gold grounds, issuing tall blue and gold foliation, ruled with polychrome borders and gold strapwork

In good overall condition, a few smudges within the text, a few small stains, calligraphy generally bold, illuination bright, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Signed by twenty five masters:

1. Mustafa Tevfik Ibn al-Sheikh pupil of
Huseyin Hamid and Osman the Mad, son-in-law of Ibrahim Afif
2. Mehmed Baki
3. Mehmed, Imam of the Sultan Selim Mosque
4. Hafiz Mehmed Ferid
5. Mehmed Sadik
6. Sayyid Mustafa Safai
7. Mehmed Rashid
8. Omer Rif'ati
9. Hafiz Mehmed Arif Hamdi
10. Sayyid Ahmed Rushdi
11. Ismail Sadiki
12. Mustafa Midahi
13. Mehmed Safveti
14. Hafiz Said Tab'i
15. Maruf Vasfi
16. Seyyid Abdullah Vehbi
17. Mustafa Kashif
18. Ahmed Akif
19. Ibrahim Remzi
20. Bezmi
21. Süleyman Reshid
22. Abdi Visali
23. Mehmed Edib
24. Osman Kemali
25. Mehmed Hamid

The ijazat nameh is a calligraphic work on top of which the pupil inscribes his chosen text and undersigns it. The master, after studying the script, acknowledges his acceptance of the candidate calligrapher's skill by signing underneath following the phrase 'I have given permission'. The pupil can then call himself a calligrapher and undersign his calligraphic
works (Tabrizi, 1999, pp.1-5).       

This is a unique ijazat (calligrapher's diploma) since it has been signed by twenty-five master scribes, making it the ijazat bearing the highest number of signatures known. The next closest is the ijazat of Muhammad Zuhdi Effendi, signed by twenty-three masters (published by M. Karimzadeh Tabrizi in
Ijazat Nameh, 1999, p.65). Surpassing the number of signatures in Muhammad Zuhdi's diploma, the piece in hand lays a new ground in the history of Ottoman calligraphy.