Sa'adi (d.1292), Kulliyat, dedicated to Nasir al-Din Shah, Persia, signed by 'Abd al-Husayn al-Isfahani, Persia, Qajar, dated 1270-75 AH/1853-58 AD

Persian manuscript on gold-sprinkled polished paper, 292 leaves plus a flyleaf, 12 to 18 lines to the page plus text written diagonally surrounding the text block, all written in fline small nasta'liq script in black ink, double intercolumnar gold rules, catchwords, some headings in red within polychrome illuminated panels, 5 illuminated double pages plus and a double-page illuminated endpiece with dedication to Nasir al-Din Shah, lacquer binding with doublures of gold leafy sprays, floral boards   

Mahmud Jam (1960), Prime Minister under Reza Shah from 1935-39

In very good overall condition, minor abrasions to extremities, text block coming slightly away from the spine, occasional small stains, ink bold and illumination 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."

A note on the opening page is written by Mahmud Jam in 3 May 1931 saying that the manuscript was given to him by Prince Shams al-Din on the occasion of Mahmud Jam going to the Shrine of Imam Reza. Mahmud Jam was a known politician, who started his career in the Qajar period and was titled Mudir al-Mulk by Ahmad Shah. He held numerous ministerial and diplomatic posts during the Pahlavi period.  He is most known as Prime Minister under Reza Shah between 1935 and 1939.  Amongst his posts under Muhammad Reza Shah, he was a Member of the Parliament and later a senator for many terms. He died in 1960 at the age of 90.

The scribe of the present manuscript was also responsible for the interlinear translation of lot 20.