Koran, Qur'an. Steinbrener, Hans. Vimperk, or Winterberg, Czech Republic. Circa 1930. About 800 printed pages in Arabic. Fine India paper. Lithographed text and marginal decoration, printed in Arabic within ruled borders. Original patterned endpapers; white flower pattern on a yellow ground (slightly damp marked). Text block has some dark mould spotting. An early twentieth century 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 earlier examples are less common. 24 x 34 mm. Original red leatherette decorated with gilt curlicue design. Complete with original protective transparent paper covering. Historic damp has rendered large parts of the semi-transparent paper covering attached to the binding underneath. It is quite unusual to see a copy in such original and unread state, but there are a few condition considerations. Original book-shaped, embossed aluminium metal locket incorporating magnifying glass at the front, circular 'window' at the back and loop (unusually) on the side. With removable locking piece that is manufactured to resemble the edges of a book - this is not of a type typically found. 80 firsts2024
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