Description:
Almanac from the first printing press in the Arab worldAnnuaire de la République Française, calculé pour le méridien du Kaire, l'an IX de l'ère Française.
Cairo, de l'Imprimerie Nationale, an IX [1800/1801].
4⁰. 1-58, [4], 61- 68 pp., [2], 48 pp. With a woodcut printer's device on title.
Contemporary blank paper covers.
One of the first books from the first printing press in the Arab World. The issues from the Imprimerie Nationale are true incunabula of Arab printing and all are very rare. The press lasted only until 1801.
The Imprimerie Nationale was set up when Napoleon traveled to Egypt in 1798: "an extraordinarily important turning point" (Glass & Roper). The French Republic aimed to bring progress wherever they arrived. In the case of Egypt this permanently changed the Arab World. Progress was predominantly expressed in administrative reform, of which the present almanac is typical product. It was crucial for an almanac (Annuaire) to appear at the new press as soon as possible because… Read More