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Rare Books - Problem Pages
Below feature a series of pages from books in the Rare Books collection
at the at the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. We would
appreciate assistance in determining the languages these works have
been written in, and if possible, translations and transliterations
(into Roman letters) of the titles.
If you can identify the script of any of these items,
please email Special Collections (special.collections@otago.ac.nz)
quoting the problem number. If a clearer image is required please
request a scanned image and we will send one to you electronically.
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Problem 1
The photocopied page is at the back of the book and the writing is from right to left. The text is in columns enclosed in a triple line border. There appears to be a catchword at the bottom of the recto pages. 114 leaves 28 cm. Wove paper - very fragile.
Click the image to view the enlargement.
More images: Title page | Pages 1-2 | Page 1 | Page 2
Findings so far
This is a lithographed book from India, written in either Persian/Urdu/Arabic.
Can you help? Please email special.collections@otago.ac.nz |
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Problem 2
This is a bound manuscript. The writing is from right to left. We are assuming that this is the title page. It has been torn and is mended in the bottom left corner and may lack part of the writing. 81 leaves, 23 cm. and 22 leaves, 22 cm. Written in red and black. Many pages have horizontal, diagonal or vertical writing in the margins. On the end paper there is a cutting from a bookseller's catalogue: "Two theological treatises. The one in arabic; the other in Persian. Indifferently written. Small folio, half-bound."
Click the image to view the enlargement.
More images: Pages 1-2 | End of a section | End of section, detail | Section heading
Findings so far
This is an Islamic manuscript displaying prayer book formulae.
Can you help? Please email special.collections@otago.ac.nz |
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Problem 3
This is a manuscript. There has a manuscript note on the flyleaf: "In modern Armenian". 572, [4] p.; 14 cm. Final 4 pages have page 1 and 4 blank and pages 2-3 may be an index.
Click the image to view the enlargement.
Findings so far
The words above the ornament shown may read 'In Galatia"
Can you help? Please email special.collections@otago.ac.nz |
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Problem 5
This is the first page of the book and has a signature of B*. There may be a title page and other pages missing but there no sign of this. Headings for what appear to be chapter/paragraph titles are in red. There are characters in the margins. Signatures: B*- 3D*4. Guesses at the language have been Coptic, Ethiopic, Amharic.
Click the image to view the enlargement.
Findings so far
The language is Ethiopic or Geez.
Can you help? Please email special.collections@otago.ac.nz. |
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Last revised:
21 April, 2010
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