Rating: Title: Surname-i Vehbi - A miniature-illustrated manuscript of an 18th century festival in Ottoman Istanbul Author: Text: Vehbi - Miniatures: Levni Publisher: Ertug & Kocabiyik Publications

Review: The original of this outstanding work, which is in the library of the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul, contains 137 brilliantly-colored miniatures by Levni, the renown court painter to the court of Ahmed III (r 1703-1740). The miniatures illustrate a fifteen-day festival held on the occasion of the circumcision of four of the sultan's sons in 1720. Surname-i Vehbi is in the long-standing Ottoman tradition of preparing specially-written and illustrated books to commemorate the festivities that took place on special occasions such as royal births, weddings, and so on. The activities included parades, musical performances, circus acts, and fireworks displays, all of which were brilliantly captured and executed by Levni in his miniatures. With one exception, the miniatures occupy double pages. The text for the book was composed by Vehbi, a court poet, and appears in full in this facsimile edition. A transcription and English translation of the text will be provided in a separate volume. Production of the facsimile edition is now in progress in Switzerland. Handmade paper was specially crafted to duplicate the appearance and texture of the original. State-of-the-art reproduction and printing techniques are being employed to ensure that this facsimile edition is a faithful copy of this distinguished work. The book will be hard bound by experienced craftsmen to ensure the book a long lifetime.

A limited run of only 1,500 copies is planned. Surname-i Vehbi: A miniature-illustrated manuscript of an 18th century festival in Ottoman Istanbul is scheduled for release in April 1999.


Sema Karaoglu