Â鶹AV

Introduction: The Islamic Studies Collection (previously housed in the Islamic Studies Library) contains many early printed books and lithographs, as well as 226 volumes of manuscripts. Among the early printed books published in Europe there are at least six dating from the 16th century, 36 titles printed in the 17th century and some 144 from the 18th century. Specimens of early Arabic typography include 16 items published in the early 18th century in Constantinople (Istanbul) by the celebrated Turkish printer Ibrahim Müteferrika, and a sizeable number of Bulaq imprints. Furthermore, the ISL has a collection of approximately 700 books printed by lithography in the 19th and early 20th century in Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Iran and India. The first catalogue covering Arabic lithographed books was published in 1996 (see Fontanus Monograph Series and Publications).

Mishkat al-masâbîh (Ms 48, dated 1162/1748). The manuscript collection consists of texts in Arabic (126 vols), Ottoman Turkish (68 vols) and Persian (31 vols). Though small in size, this collection is rich in shi`ite texts. There are 127 individual Arabic texts alone, with Jurisprudence, Philosophy and Theology accounting for over 50% of them. Among the manuscripts there is a beautifully calligraphed collection of prayers (Majmû` ad`iyah), mostly by the famous Sufi master 'Abd al-Qâdir al-Jîlânî (d.561/1167) executed in 1094/1683, an illuminated copy of Man lâ yahduruhu al-faqîh by Ibn Bâbûyah (d.381/991) copied in 993/1585, and a recently acquired early 12/18th century composite codex executed for Sharaf al-Dîn al-Haymî (d.1140/1727).

These and other Arabic and Persian manuscripts held by Â鶹AV Library (namely Rare Books and Special Collections, Blacker-Wood and Osler libraries) are described in the journal Fontanus and in two catalogues published in the Fontanus Monograph Series. The most outstanding examples of the arts of the book from Â鶹AV collections are also included in Treasures of Islam (published in 2003 on CD-ROM).

Librarian: Jennifer Garland, Assistant Head Librarian (e-mail: jennifer.garland [at] mcgill.ca, telephone: 514-398-4785)

Introduction and types of material: The Rabbi Lewin Collection consists of 168 volumes of 16th to 19th century Hebraica and sacred texts. The material was collected by Rabbi Daniel Lewin (b. 1901).

Questions:Ìý·¡-³¾²¹¾±±ô: rarebooks.library [at] mcgill.ca

Introduction and types of material: The collection was donated to the library in 1981 by the family of the collector, the late Joe Fishstein of New York City. It is composed primarily of 20th century Yiddish belles-lettres, poetry and criticism. While there are many standard works in the collection, there are, as well, many rare pre-World War II East European imprints. There are also scrapbooks of photographs and postcards.

Extent: The collection includes some 2,500 monographs and 200 serials. Most of the volumes have mac-tac bindings made by Fishstein.

Access to the collection: The totality of the collection is available through the Â鶹AV Library catalogue.

Description: "Fishstein Collection of Yiddish Poetry", Coranto, No. 16 (Spring 1994), 3.

Goldie Sigal, A garment worker's legacy: the Joe Fishstein Collection of Yiddish Poetry the catalogue. Montréal: Â鶹AV Libraries, 1998.

Goldie Sigal, [Montréal]: Digital Program, Â鶹AV, c2001.

²Ï³Ü±ð²õ³Ù¾±´Ç²Ô²õ:ÌýE-mail: rarebooks.library [at] mcgill.ca

Introduction and types of material:  Consists of Judaica books collected by Saul Shapiro. There are also some pamphlets, caricatures, and issues of various periodicals. The books and other material are predominantly English-language, and fall into 3 main categories: non-fiction Judaica, fiction by Jewish writers or by non-Jewish writers on Jewish themes, general and miscellaneous topics.

The largest group of material is non-fiction Judaica: rabbinical literature, Bible studies, history of the Jews during various time periods and in various geographical areas, World War II, antisemitism, the Holocaust, the history of Israel, biographies.

Books in the collection were published during the 19th and 20th centuries. Editions and bindings vary from rare to common. Collection includes some first and limited editions. Many books are accompanied by newspaper clippings, clippings of book reviews, bills and receipts from book dealers. Includes material compiled and bound as books by Shapiro: Era of fascist aggression, 1938. 2 v. Consists of a compilation of cartoons -- Octogenarian stew, 1991. 2 v. Consists of promotional pamphlets related to Shapiro's marketing work for People's Stores, while he was Executive Vice President in 1966, and various clippings, articles and caricatures on different subjects -- A small booklet of cartoons, printed in Montreal, with no title and no date. Accompanied by a card attesting to Shapiro's promotion to President of People's Department Stores, Ltd.

Questions: E-mail: rarebooks.library [at] mcgill.ca