Koran, Qur'an Qur'an Steinbrener, Hans. Vimperk (or Winterberg), Czech Republic. Circa 1900. About 800 printed pages in Arabic. Fine India paper. Lithographed text and marginal decoration, printed in Arabic within ruled borders. Original patterned endpapers; flower and leaf pattern in gilt on black ground. An early Steinbrener edition, following on from the success of Bryce's 1896 edition that was reprinted in 1899 and 1907. Hans Steinbrener was established in 1855, and held a Royal warrant to publish almanacs and religious texts in different European languages. Taking advantage of the new technique of photo-reduction Steinbrenner printed these qu'rans from the late 1890s-1960s in Vimperk, or Winterberg, Czech Republic. The text, endpapers and bindings differ from the equivalent Bryce Koran. They became widely distributed across America and Europe but the early examples are far less common. 22 x 34 mm. Original red and elaborately stamped gilt morocco with lotus motifs, and scrolling curlicue decoration. Larger than the Bryce Koran (20 x 28 mm.) Original engine turned, un-hallmarked silver metal locket incorporating magnifying glass on the front and loop at the top (in base metal); tarnished inside. 82 firsts2024