A Grand Tourist in the Middle East

Abdulmejid I, Ottoman Sultan (1823-1861). Ottoman travelling firman for Sir Jacob Henry Preston.

[Constantinople], ca. 1840.

Ca. 550 x 770 mm. Ottoman Turkish manuscript with large Tughra of Sultan Abdülmecid I (reigned 1839-61). 1 page. Black ink on single sheet of sturdy, smoothed laid paper (watermark: "GFA"; Fratelli Gava manufactory of Lombardy & Venice?).

 1,800.00

A scarce example of a mid-19th century Levantine manuscript firman granting permission to travel in the Ottoman Empire, issued to Sir Jacob Henry Preston (1812-91), 2nd baronet of Beeston St Lawrence. Preston was educated at Westminster and Trinity College, Cambridge (B.A. 1832); his seat was at Beeston Hall near Norwich in Norfolk.

Traces of old folds. Small stain with related small hole not affecting text; contemporary ink annotation on verso: "Travelling firman for Sir Jacob Henry Preston". In fine condition.