Kitab'i Zij,

Early timurid zij'. An early Timurid Kitab'i Zij', being a concise astronomical volume that tabulates parameters used for astronomical calculations of the positions of the sun, moon, stars and planets.

This manuscript is most comparable to the Zij'i Sultani, a catalogue that was compiled under the patronage of Ulugh Beg in the Samarkand Observatory between 1438 and 1439. The work is thorough and updated many Ptolomaic calculations on stars, repositioning over 900 stars and offering updated calculations sun and moon's movements in particular.

For context, this manuscript precedes the publication of Copernicus' De Revolutionibis Orbium Coelestium (printed in 1543, on the revolutions of heavenly spheres) by 80 years, which is generally accepted to be the first work to offer an alternative model to the widely accepted geocentric systems of Ptolomy.

Single volume, decorated manuscript on buff paper, in Farsi, 68 leaves, in manuscript formed of tables throughout in red, with headings in large black naskh, smaller headings sometimes in red, some faint water-staining, some working rarely affecting text, leaves age-toned; housed in later leather over boards, ruled in blind, extremities and corners lightly rubbed. 245 x 185mm (9¾ x 7¼ inches).