Ibrahim Müteferrika, Usulü'l Hikem fi Nizami'l Umem (Reasonable Principles of Public Order), printed in Ottoman Turkish, by the first series of the Müteferrika Press [Constantinople, 1144 AH (1731-2 AD)]

Ibrahim Müteferrika, Usulü'l Hikem fi Nizami'l Umem (Reasonable Principles of Public Order), printed in Ottoman Turkish, by the first series of the Müteferrika Press [Constantinople, 1144 AH (1731-2 AD)]

single volume, complete, printed in Ottoman Turkish, engraved head-piece opening the text, occasional water-staining and soiling, first and final few leaves a little damaged with repairs, 8vo (213 by 140 mm.); in twentieth-century morocco, with marbled paper pasted to covers

An exceedingly rare and influential work of Ibrahim Müteferrika discussing the Patrona Halil rebellion in Istanbul that ended in 1730. The text is written in the classical Ottoman nasihanama (book of advice) form, and is divided into three sections. The first of these addresses the role of the military and state with regards to public order, the second focuses on the geographical significance of knowing and understanding your neighbouring friends and enemies, and the third on potential future reforms that might be applied to the Ottoman Army.

To the best of our knowledge, no other copy of this text has appeared at auction.

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