The sixth volume of the Mathnawi of Mawlana Jalal al-Din Balkhi.

Bound in red leather, 58.2618 x 8626116 cm.

Made of paper, with gold-decorated borders and marginalia on two pages. The beginning of each volume has a decorated headpiece. Written in Nastaliq script.

Dated by Muhammad Mahdi Malek al-Kitab.

Colophon: "The sixth volume of the Mathnawi... was completed on the second day of the blessed month of Safar in the year two hundred and sixty-three after the thousand... by the humble servant, the poor Muhammad Mahdi Malek al-Kitab."

Muhammad Mahdi, titled Malek al-Kitab, was one of the esteemed Sayyids of Farahani and a relative of Mirza Bozorg. He was the deputy of Farahani. He completed his studies in Qom, Arak, and Hamadan, and traveled to Damascus. He spent much time in calligraphy and became famous for his Nastaliq script and speed. He was granted an audience with Fath-Ali Shah, who favored him and bestowed upon him the title of Malek al-Kitab. He also served Naser al-Din Shah. His speed of writing is described as such that he could write a thousand verses in seven hours.

His date of death is recorded as the year...

Bound in red leather, Baghdad style, 6.2618 x 62619 cm.

Made of French paper, sized and burnished. Decorated with rosettes and half-rosettes. Two pages of the beginning of each Mathnawi have gold-decorated borders and marginalia. The text is inlaid with gold between the lines. It has two excellent gold-decorated headpieces. Written in excellent Nima-dandak script. The chapter headings are generally gilded.

Dated by Mahmud Hakim.

Colophon: "As ordered by the servants... Khan... this noble book was completed."