Skip to Main Content https://www.mia.org.qa/en/library

Islamic Art and Architecture: Rare Collections

This guide introduces you to the MIA Library's intense and exquisite resources on Islamic Art and Architecture.

On this page

We have a varied collection of 2,000 rare books in English and Arabic. Many of these books are unavailable anywhere else in the region. Many have been digitized and can be viewed via the Library catalog. The information presented on this page describes the rare collections pertaining to books and manuscripts on Islamic Art and Architecture, as well as relevant information on how to access our Rare Books Room, special care and handling of those items.

MIA Rare Collections

A rare book is not a regular book, neither is it a museum object. The term ‘rare’ is vague, and one might assume that a book is rare due to its old age or due to the fact that it is limited in quantity. However, a rare book can be both. Not all rare books are old, but all rare books are unequivocally valuable. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish between ‘antiquarian’ books and ‘rare’ books; ‘antiquarian’ is defined to be both old in age and rare, while ‘rare’ encompasses both old and new. Antiquarian book-seller Jeremy M. Norman provides a useful criterion in identifying rare books with six key points:

  1. The scarcity of the books: books with 25,000 copies or more are not considered rare.
  2. Significance of the book’s contents: a book could be the first account of a historical exploration of Egypt or could contain some private information about a historical figure.
  3. The physical aesthetic of the book: a book could be printed on exotic paper with rare watermarks, or could contain intricate illustration which could be highly valuable to collectors
  4. A book’s ‘imprint’ according to Norman: books printed in a certain time and place are well known to be rare
  5. Significant associations: books or texts associated with different important figures, either containing their signatures or initials add a substantial amount of value to rare books.
  6. The condition of the book: rare books are not as available as most common books, and are not always subject to damages and repairs to that of a common book. Collectors try as much as possible to preserve the original condition of the book.

Source: Norman, Jeremy M. “Traditions & Culture of Collecting What Is a Rare Book?” Jeremy Norman's History of Science, Medicine, and Technology, 10 Nov. 1982, www.historyofscience.com/traditions/rare-book.php

A manuscript is an original piece of work – either handwritten or typewritten. What distinguishes a manuscript from other types of sources is it being the original and first copy of an author’s work. Reproductions or reprints of books are not considered manuscripts. Before the printing press had been introduced, all books and documents were classified as manuscripts. Manuscripts are therefore not identified according to their content, but solely on their originality. They could include books, scrolls, letters, and illuminated drawings. Older manuscripts are considered to be extremely precious as most would be not duplicated. The printing press had unequivocally changed the dynamic of written work, making documents more available than they once used to be. Illuminated Manuscripts Illuminated manuscripts are decorated and illustrated by hand using various colors. Beautiful and elaborate designs and drawings accentuate and support the adjacent texts. The earliest illuminated manuscripts can be dated back to the Middle Ages. Illuminated manuscripts were strictly produced in monasteries and were most commonly used for public or private devotion.

Rare books are not considered objects as that of a museum, however, they are treated in the same manner. Most rare books are extremely fragile and should be dealt with delicately in order to preserve their original shape and structure. It should also be noted that the rare books are kept in a specific environment to maintain their quality which is set by a professional conservator. For example, this includes the temperature and humidity of the room, and the placement of pest traps to avoid any damage to the collection. To prevent any manipulations to the items in the collection, MIA Library has provided a detailed outline of the policy and procedures of the rare book room.

Access: You can view the digitized copies by clicking LINK. After searching our collection online if you wish to use materials from the rare book room please send an application to the Head Librarian (sleavy@qm.org.qa). An application to study rare books and manuscripts must be submitted 24 hours in advance.

In order to preserve the natural state and quality of a rare book, we must take precautions when handling them. Please read the following steps in rare book handling:

HANDLING: (poor handling procedures can cause irreparable damage)

  • To remove the book from the shelf hold it firmly on the spine at the middle of the book, never pull it off by the headcap.
  • Oversized books may be handled with both hands and one by one. Ask for help if they are too large or heavy, and move them with a book truck if necessary.
  • Do not stack the books very high.
  • Do not force the opening of the book, use cradles to properly support the volume.
  • Do not use clips, staples, self-adhesive tape, or any other alien material from the book.
  • Do not use pens, markers, or highlighters. Use only pencils in the reading room to take notes.
  • Turn the pages from the top corner using the whole hand to avoid tears

STORING AND SHELVING: (storage methods have a direct effect on the conservation of the materials)

  • Keep a stable environment, with adequate parameters of RH and T (45-55% and 20-22 °C) and good air circulation, to prevent stagnant air.
  • Books may be with minimal exposure to light and UVA.
  • Books may be stored at distance from radiators or vents, and at least 5 cm away from walls to facilitate the movement of air and avoid pockets of damp air.
  • Shelving books of similar size together and upright to prevent leaning at the top of the book.
  • Books may be arranged so that shelves are full, but not so tightly to prevent bindings from abrasion.
  • Use bookends with smooth surfaces and broad edges when the shelve is not full.
  • Oversized books may be shelved flat, do not stack them, but if necessary not more than three books. Never stack volumes with special value bindings unless they are stored in a box.
  • Do not store books on the fore-edge of the shelves and use adequate sizes of shelves, because they may be fell off or damage.
  • Do not store paper or cloth binding in direct contact with leather bindings.
  • Store special books or fragile bindings with adequate enclosures (custom-fitted).
  • Unbounded materials (pamphlets, letters, maps, etc.) may be stored in boxes or folders, and flat, to prevent them from mechanical damage, inside drawers or map cases.

Islamic Manuscripts Online

                     

In today's digital world, accessing manuscripts has become much easier than it used to be. Many institutions work on digitalization projects every year, and as a result, we are able to browse the digitalized manuscripts from home. The following sites have good resources, and are highly recommended.