109

THE TAESCHNER COLLECTION (Or. 12.364, cont.)

was made by ‘Osman b. ‘Abdulmennan, second dragoman of the Divan of Bel grade, in 1166 (1752-3). In the catalogue of the collection of the Cairo National Library, Fihris 755, the work entitled ‘Terceme-i Cografyatu l-'alem’ is said to be a translation from the French. A lengthy marginal addition on the circumference of the earth in French ligues by the copyist on f. 7b states that it, obviously the marginal addition is meant, was written in Paris on 9 §ewal 1214 (5 March 1800). The work consists of an introduction (lb-6b) on the science of geography, with definitions of the most important terms - Latin terms are given in transcription - and six chapters (bab) on (1) maps and the projection of the global surface of the earth on them (6b-7a); (2) Europe (7a-171a); (3) Asia (171a- 191a); (4) Africa (191a-199b); (5) America (200b-209b); and (6) ‘the unknown world’ (Terra Incognita) (209b-212b). The work ends in a conclusion {hatime) on cosmology, partly in the form of questions and answers, which is lavishly adstructed with varicoloured illustrations- the earth surrounded by nine orbits (213b); the elliptic orbits of sun and moon around the sun (214b); the earth and its axis and the sphere of the heavens (216b); the system of meridians and the signs of the zodiac (218b, 221b, 222a, 223b 224a); the system of parallels of latitude (226a); the orbit of the sun around the earth and its influence on the cycles of day and night and of the seasons (228a, 229a); meridians and parallels in relation to hours and seasons (230b); the systems of climes (ekaltm, 232a); the orbits of moon and sun around the earth (241b-243a see plate); eclipses of the moon (244a); the intersection of meridians and parallels and its potential use for geographical orientation (245a); three circular diagrams of directions, zigns of the zodiac and winds (compass points), the last containing the names of directions in transcribed Dutch (246b-247b, see plate). Copious marginal additions, mostly by the copyist - one of these refers to the Cihan-niima (217b, cf. under Cod.Or. 12.363, above) - as well as indications of content. The work is preceded by a survey of contents (fihrist, first flyleaf, verso and second flyleaf, recto). Bound in boards with brown leather backing and edges; glazed white paper; the title ‘Cografya-i Katib Celebi' is written on the bottom edge; 2+250+2 folios- original numbering in red, 1-249; 245x165 mm and 170x80 mm; 23 lines;’ catchwords; calligraphic nesih; headings, rubrics and lines in red; completed on 23 Safer 1219 (3 June 1804); without the name of a copyist; an owner’s inscription and seal have been erased and blackened on f. la; the inscription Franz Taeschner Ms. Nr. 41’ by the owner himself occurs on the second flyleaf recto. ’