While the Copley sale in New York promises to make some serious news this afternoon, Sotheby's London branch isn't looking too shabby at all - their Arts of the Islamic World sale this morning (full results here) saw some very impressive prices for books and manuscripts:
- A 14th-century copy of Abû cAlî al-Hasan ibn cAlî ibn cUmar al-Marrâkushî's treatise on astronomical timekeeping made £289,250, over estimates of £40,000-60,000.
- A late 12th/early 13th-century copy of the Sharh Manzumat Ibn Sina, a commentary on a medical treatise, sold for £175,250, beating the £20,000-30,000 estimate handily.
- A 16th-century illuminated Persian mss. of the tale of Yusuf and Zulaykha fetched £73,250, also beating its estimate.
- Two Qur'an leaves from c. 1020 AD, each estimated at £40,000-60,000, made £199,250 and £175,250, respectively.
