File:A strikingly illuminated late 19th century Manuscript Almanac or Horoscope, Qajar Iran, ca. 1871.jpg

English: A strikingly illuminated late 19th century Manuscript Almanac or Horoscope. N.P.: N.D. ca. 1871

paper, ink, leather, gilt

4to (9 7/8 x 3 3/4 in.; 251 x 171mm). 30pp. manuscript text in red, black, and blue ink, margins with multiple rules in blue, red, green and gilt, several leaves with illuminations of intricate arabesques and floral motifs in blue, red, pink, orange, silver and gilt; leaves brittle, some loose. Later full brown limp calf trimmed with black, overs with double rules, cornerpieces, decorative border, and filigree centrepiece, all gilt; some rubbing to spin and corners.

Catalogue Note

A stunningly illuminated horoscope, with mentions of the Persian king, Nasir al-Din Shah

The horoscope opens by mentioning the science of astrology, with quotes from Shi’i authors, starting with ‘Ali ibn Tawus, and what he reported from various Shi’i Imams on the subject. The main text pertains to predictions for the year, starting with the spring equinox, which fell on 29 Dhu’l-hajjah, corresponding to the 21 March 1871 (in our modern calculation it falls on 22 March). The author also gives corresponding dates in numerous calendars. The horoscope is calculated for the Nasiri Capital City (i.e. Tehran). In the text and in the marginal notes, the scribe or author occasionally gives good wishes to the king without mentioning his name (presumably Nasir al-Din Shah, who reigned from 1848-96). Each pair of pages addresses a single month, and gives equivalents dates in Christian (with the author calling it French), Roman, and Russian. These are complete with signs of the zodiac, and possible events on given days (in red) in the right columns. All recommendations for what to do—or not to do—on various days of the month are recorded in the wide central column.