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xiii, 135 pp. Ink manuscript in round hand calligraphy, with ornate preliminary matter. Dedicated to Prince Halim (Abd Al-Halim Pacha). With illuminations in gold and colors, including the six chess pieces (King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook & Pawn), 17 initials (a few historiated); etc. 23.8x15.5 cm (9½x6¼"), full red levant morocco with triple gilt filets, corner lozenges, spne tooled in gilt, raised bands, gilt inner dentelles, green silk moiré endleaves, all edges gilt; bound by Biez-Nedree. With modern folding cloth box.

Exquisite manuscript on the game of chess prepared for and presented to Prince Abd Al-Halim Pasha, grandson of Muhammed Ali Pasha, founder of the dynasty that ruled Egypt and Sudan from the 19th to mid-20th century. Prince Halim seems to have been in Paris around 1865, completing his education, when the manuscript was given to him. Upon returning to Egypt he was briefly Governor General of Sudan. We have not been able to discover anything about Messrs Müller and Richard, authors of the manuscript. They have each signed the dedication. Provenance: Purchased by the uncle of the present owner in Egypt during the 1950s.