Nizam al-Din Hasan ibn Husayn Qumi Nishaburi known as Nizam-e A'raj, kashf-e haqayiq-e zij-e ilkhani (a commentary on Tusi's Zij-e Ilkhani), Copied by 'Abd al-Mu'min bin Nasrullah al-Munshi al-Samarqandi, Persia, Timurid, dated 826 AH/1422 AD

Persian manuscript on polished paper, 224 leaves plus 2 flyleaves, lacking opening folio, 25 lines to the page written in Nasta'liq script in black ink, numerous charts and diagrams throughout, catchwords, key words picked out in red and gold, red morocco binding with gilt-stamped central cartouche emanating gold sprays

In good overall condition, binding worn with associated repair, some stains throughout but pages generally clean and ink bold, some marginal repairs, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Probably born in Qum, Northern Iran, Nizam-e A'raj was a mathematician and astronomer who studied in Nishapur and Khurasan. He worked in the observatory of al-Shirazi in Tabriz under the Ilkhanid rulers Ghazan Khan (1295-1304) and Uljaytu (1304-1317). Al-Shirazi was the best pupil of al-Tusi who later saw him as a rival and expelled him from the observatory in Maragha.

Other copies of this work are in Bombay, Istanbul, London, Mashhad, Najaf, Paris, Rampur, St. Petersburg, Tabriz and Tehran, see B.A. Rosenfeld & E. Ihsanoglu, Mathematicians, Astronomers & Other Scholars of Islamic Civilisations and their Works (7^th-19^th c.), Istanbul, 2003, p.238, no.686. For more about Qutb-ad-Din al-Shirazi (1236-1311), see p.233, no.668. Also see C. Brockelmann, GAL, II, 256, Suppl.II, 273.