'ABD AL-RAHMAN JAMI (D.1492), YUSUF VA ZULEYKHA, COPIED BY SHAYKH QALANDAR IBN MUHAMMAD ‘ABDALLAH BIHLIM (?), INDIA, MUGHAL, DATED 1136 AH/1724 AD |

Persian manuscript on paper, 107 leaves plus 7 fly-leaves, 19 lines to the page, text arranged in 2 columns, written in nasta’liq in black ink, sub-titles in red, in red morocco stamped binding

Sir Gore Ouseley (1770-1844), by repute. A Supplement to Howell and Stewart’s Catalogue of Oriental and Oriento-Biblical Literature for 1827: Including the most extensive and valuable collection of Eastern Manuscripts ever offered for sale, London, 1827; item number: 4363, p.93 (sold for 2 pounds, 12 shillings and sixpence).

John Lee, Colworth House, Bedfordshire (1783-1866).

For more on Ouseley and Lee, please see the online version of the catalogue.

In reasonably good condition, tape used at the beginning and end of the manuscript, minor restoration to the borders, minor smudges, stains, 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."

The colophon states that this manuscript was copied in a village called Billah of Sangamunir (?). A village with the name Billah is recorded in the state of Punjab with the modern name Ummarwal Billa. Sir Gore Ousley (d.1844) was a diplomat and linguist stationed in India, Lucknow, and later in Persia, serving as the ambassador from 1810, and afterwards in Russia. He was a skilled linguist and taught himself Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian. The Bodleian library in Oxford purchased part of his collection in 1843 and other manuscripts were donated in 1859.

John Lee (1783-1866) was the son of a London-based merchant and the daughter of William Lee of Totteridge Park. In 1815, further to the death of his maternal uncle William Lee Antonie of Colworth, he changed his surname and assumed the name Lee by royal license. A collector of Antiquities, he was educated at St John’s College, Cambridge and travelled extensively in the Near East, acquiring works of art, coins and oriental manuscripts, becoming a fellow of the Antiquity society in 1828.