Manuscript Museum Collection

A splendid treasury manuscript of the panegyric al-Kawākib al-Durriyya fī Madh Khayr al-Bariyya- ‘The Luminous Stars in the Praise of the Best of Mankind’ (Messenger Muhammad) by al-Būsayrī (Šaraf al-Dīn Abū-‘Abdillāh Muhammad bin-Sa‘īd al-Dalāsī, d. 694 H., 1295 AD). The poem is known as al-Burda- ‘The Garment’ which is of no parallel among the panegyrics of Messenger Muhammad except the one by Ka‘b bin Zuhayr: Bānat Su‘ād- ‘Su‘ād Walked Away.’ The manuscript was illuminated and transcribed in colored thuluth script, probably in the 10th century of the Hijra (16th century AD) for the personal library of Lady ‘Ā’iša bint-Ismā‘īl al-Khāzin. Ex libris inscriptions appear in the opening, the oldest is dated back to 1051 H. (1641 AD). 29 folios, 32 x 23 cm. The Manuscript Center has recently published a digital copy of this exquisite manuscript within the first collection of CDs to be available for researchers and those who value Arab heritage everywhere for a reasonable price.
Alexandria Municipal Library Collection at the BA, no. 225/ A Literature.

Before us lays one of the most important displays in the museum, indeed one of the precious holdings of the BA, a rare manuscript of the divan of the famous pre-Islamic poet Salāma bin-Jandal (as told by al-Asma‘ī) transcribed by ‘Alī bin-Muhammad in thuluth script in 494 H. (1101 AD). The opening bears references to the conformity of al-Asma‘ī’s account with both the recitals of Abū-‘Amr al-Šaybānī and Abūl-‘Abbās bin-Dīnār al-Ahwal, an inscription of ex libris Ibrāhīm Sar‘askar (title of general in the Ottoman army)- Ibrāhīm Pasha was Muhammad ‘Alī’s foster son and the general of his army- dated to 1137 H. (1725 AD), and that the manuscript is recited to and revised by ‘Ammār bin-Muhammad bin-al-Hasan. 26 folios, 24 x 17 cm. The Manuscript Center has recently published it within its first CDs collection of the Manuscript Digital Library project.
Alexandria Municipal Library Collection at the BA, no. 835/ B Literature

A treasury manuscript of Šarh al-Alfiyya- ‘Interpretation of al-Alfiyya,’ an interpretation and rectification of Ibn-Mālik’s (Jamāl al-Dīn Abū-‘Abdillāh Muhammad bin-‘Abdillāh al-Tā’ī al-Jayyānī, d. 672 H., 1273 AD) famous urjūza (a treatise in verse in the meter rajaz) entitled al-Khulāsa fī al-Nahw- ‘The Quintessence of Grammar,’ also called al-Alfiyya (the one-thousand-line poem). The interpretation is written by the poet’s son Badr al-Dīn Abū-‘Abdillāh Muhammad (d. 686 H., 1287 AD). Thus, it is also known as Šarh Ibn al-Musannif- ‘The Interpretation of the Poet’s Son.’ It is considered one of the oldest as well as significant manuscripts of this interpretation regarding its relatively good condition. Transcribed by ‘Umar al-Dumayrī in naskh script, in 863 H. (1459 AD). 166 folios, 26 x 18 cm.
Alexandria Municipal Library Collection at the BA, no. 1664/ B Grammar.

The book presents the biography of the renowned Greek orator Isocrates and selections from his speeches and articles. Since he lived in Athens (436-338 BC), his speeches were related to the major events, which took place in Greece at his time. The book, covered in leather, includes the original Greek texts with Latin translations between the lines. It was published in 1030 H. (1621 AD). Donated to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina by Mr. Diyā’ al-Dīn Hasan al-Qādī in 1416 H. (1996 AD).

A rare copy of Rerum Germanica (Saxonia)- ‘History of Germany (Saxonia)’ by Albert Krantz published in Frankfurt in 983 H. (1575 AD) and edited by the jurist Nicola Cisner. The author presents the history of the Saxonian tribes; their dynasties, wars, military expeditions and major historical events, using an overwhelming style that glorifies the German spirit over the centuries, a tendency that continued during the following centuries and was remarkably manifested in the writings of German philosophers.

The book comprises the collection of Greek and Latin imperial enactments compiled upon the orders of Emperor Justinian (6th century AD), in addition to, imperial seals and explanatory regulations of the legal texts. The book was written in Greek and Latin, printed by Bellatini Press (Belgium 983 H., 1575 AD).
The beginning bears an ex libris inscription of the legal advisor of Cromwell, Montagu, and another one of his grandsons, Lord Halifax dated back to 1113H. (1702 AD). The book includes attached cards written by Prof. Dr Mustafā al-‘Abbādī– the donor of the book– in his own handwriting, containing some historical remarks on sailors and sea captains.