Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Isma’il ibn Ibrahim al-Bukhari (d.870 AD), Volume XXIX of Al-Jami’ al-Sahih (a canonical collection of traditions), Persia, 13th/14th century AD

Arabic manuscript on paper, 29 leaves plus 3 flyleaves, 15 lines to the page, written in naskh script in black ink, headlines in red, f.1a with illuminated gold and blue frontispiece with a hatched floral ground, in modern leather binding

In fair good condition, the margin trimmed, minor notes on the margins, restored, mould, possibly incomplete, rubbing and losses, 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."

Born in Bukhara in 810 AD, Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari wrote his Al-Jami' al-Sahih (now prominently known as the Sahih Al-Bukhari) as a compilation of 7,397 traditions selected from the 600,000 hadith that were extant in his time (The Encyclopaedia of Islam, H.A.R. Gibb et al (eds.), vol.I, Leiden, 1986, p.1296).

There are twenty-eight various volumes of this work, the earliest of which is dated 581 AH/1185 AD (OR 7755), in the British Library (see C. Baker (ed.), Subject – Guide to the Arabic Manuscripts in the British Library, London, 2001, B. pp.30-31). There are forty various volumes in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin (see U. Lyons, Handlist of the Arabic Manuscripts in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, 1966, volume VIII (Indexes). There are two volumes, dated 1033 AH/1623 AD and 1192 AH/1778 AD, in the John Rylands Library (see A. Mingana, Catalogue of the Arabic Manuscripts in the John Rylands Library, Manchester, 1934, pp.206-7, nos.125 [238] and 126 [641]. See also C. Brockelmann, GAL, I. 157, S. I. 260.

For other volumes of the Al-Jami' al-Sahih see lots 11, 19 and 54 in the present sale.