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Manuscript Libraries in Istanbul

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2016

Günay Kut
Günay Kut*
Affiliation:
Süleymaniye Library, Istanbul
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Extract

Manuscript libraries, the items collected in them, their location, and something of their history can be classified as follows (previous work on this subject was described in Lütfü Eroğiu’s “Istanbul Kütüphaneleri”):

  1. 1. Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s libraries under the auspices of the General Directorate of Libraries.

  2. 2. Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s libraries under the auspices of the General Directorate of Monuments and Museums.

  3. 3. University libraries.

  4. 4. Public libraries.

  5. 5. Libraries under the auspices of the General Directorate of Foundations.

  6. 6. Private libraries, such as those associated with banks or newspapers.

Type
Research Article
Information
Review of Middle East Studies , Volume 16 , Issue 1 , July 1982 , pp. 24 - 43
Copyright
Copyright © Middle East Studies Association of North America 1982

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References

** This article is reprinted, with minor changes, from Current Turkish Thought, No. 43 (Summer 1980), pp. 1–36 [English translation by F. Erdoğan].

1 See Eroğlu, Lütfü, “Istanbul Kütüphaneleri—Ondokuzuncu yüzyıl başından bugüne kadar,” Aylık Ansiklopedi (Istanbul, 1949), vol. 5, pp. 1607–1611Google Scholar; Dr.Karayalçin, Yaşar, Kütüphanelerimize Umumi Bir Bakış (Ankara, 1952)Google Scholar; Gökman, Muzaffer, İstanbul Kütüphaneleri ve Yazma Tıp Kitapları (Istanbul, 1959)Google Scholar; Emsen, şemim, “Osmanlı imparatorluğu Devrinde Türkiye Kütüphanelerinin Tarihçesi,” Türk Kütüphaneciler Derneği Bülteni [TKDB] 9, 1-2 (Ankara, 1960), pp. 14–35; and issues 3-4, pp. 119–126Google Scholar; Su, Kâmil, “Eski İstanbul Kütüphaneleri ve Bir İstatistik,” TKDB 24, 3 (Ankara, 1975), pp. 205–216.Google Scholar

2 We give only one example of this. The manuscripts from Giresun in the Süleymaniye Library consist of 182 volumes. But a thorough study of the manuscripts produced 54 Turkish, 482 Arabic, 9 Persian, and 3 Arabic-Turkish titles, totaling 548 bibliographic entries.

3 When we give these figures, we cannot claim 100% accuracy, especially for the Turkish, Arabic and Persian manuscripts. When every collection is studied separately, it will be possible to give an exact figure. For the available list, see Gökman, M., Istanbul Kütüphaneleri Rehberi, 3rd ed. (Istanbul, 1951)Google Scholar; Durbali, Yıldız, “İstanbul Kütüphaneleri ve Sübyan Mektepleri” (graduation thesis, Istanbul, 1963)Google Scholar; Ersoy, Osman, “İstanbul Hürriyet Meydanı ve Yerli Kütüphaneler,” TKDB 14, 1-2 (Ankara, 1965), pp. 1–6Google Scholar; Cunbur, Müjgan, “Yazma Kütüphanelerimiz, bugünkü durumları ve meseleleri,” TKDB 19, 1 (Ankara, 1970), pp. 3–17.Google Scholar

4 Durusoy, Orhan, İstanbul Belediye Kütüphanesi Alfabetik Kataloğu I (Istanbul, 1953), p. xiv.Google Scholar

5 For further information, see Türkiye Yazmaları Toplu Kataloğu (Ankara, 1979), pp. i-xiv.

6 Karatay, Fehmi Ethem, Topkapı Sarayı Müzesi Kütüphanesi Türkçe Yazmalar Kataloğu, 2 vols. (Istanbul, 1961)Google Scholar; same author, Topkapı Sarayı Müzesi Farsça Yazmalar Kataloğu (Istanbul, 1961); same author, Topkapı Sarayı Müzesi Kütüphanesi Arapça Yazmalar Kataloğu, 4 vols. (Istanbul, 1962–69). Such a study is being made by Abdülbaki Gölpinarli for the manuscripts in the Mevlana Museum in Konya. Three volumes of this have been published and the fourth is ready for printing. In this last volume are also included the manuscripts that Gölpinarh had presented to the library.

7 For a complete list of the period of the Abdül Hamit catalogues, see Kut, Turgut, “Türkçe Yazma Eserler Kataloğlari Repertuvari,” Türk Dili Araştirmalari Yilhği-Belleten, 1972 (Ankara, 1973), pp. 221–227.Google Scholar

8 Tezkire-i Sehi, publication: Mehmet şükrü (Istanbul, 1906–7), p. 12; Heşt Bihşt, The Tezkire by Sehi Beg, prepared by Günay Kut (Harvard University Press, 1978), p. 96.

9 Rieu, Charles P., Catalogue of the Turkish Manuscripts in the British Museum (London, 1888), p. 107b.Google Scholar

10 The figures given below are taken from Cunbur’s, Müjgan article, “Yazma Kütüphanelerimiz, bugünkü durumlari ve meseleleri,” TKDB 19, 1 (Ankara, 1970), pp. 3–17Google Scholar. For the same subject, see also Akçay’s, İlhan “Orta Anadolu’da Bazı Kitapliklar,” TKDB 19, 1-2 (Ankara, 1965), pp. 21–25.Google Scholar

11 For the manuscripts in Bursa, , see Une liste des manuscrits choisis parmi les Bibliothèques de Bursa (Istanbul, 1951)Google Scholar. There is a description of the quality and the quantity of the manuscripts in the libraries in Bursa, Vilayet-i Hüdavendigar Salnamesi (1303/1885), pp. 312–404.

12 Kut, Günay, “Edirne-Selimiye Kütüphanesindeki Türkçe Yazmalar üzerine,” Türklük Bilgisi Araştirmalari, Vol. 3 (Harvard, 1980), pp. 259–272.Google Scholar

13 For the manuscripts in Manisa, , see Une liste des manuscrits choisis parmi les Bibliothèques de Manisa, Akhisar (Istanbul, 1951)Google Scholar; Parmaksizoğlu, İsmet, Manisa Cenel Kütüphanesi Tarih-Coğrafya Yazmalari Kataloğu, vol. 1 (Istanbul, 1952)Google Scholar; same author, “Manisa Kü-tüphaneleri,” TKDB 13, 1 (Ankara, 1959), pp. 17–22.

14 ötüken, Adnan, “Eski bir Defter, 60 Yil Önce Türk Kütüphaneleri,” TKDB 11, 3-4 (Ankara, 1962), pp. 156–158 and a 13-page list.Google Scholar

15 Cunbur, Müjgan, “Yazma Kütüphanelerimiz; Bugünkü durumlari ve meseleleri,” TKDB 19, 1 (Ankara, 1970), pp. 3–17.Google Scholar

16 The catalogue has been printed as the Defter-i Kütüphane-i Umumi (Istanbul, Mahmut Bey Matbaasi, t.s.).

17 Gökman, Muzaffer, Bayezit Umumi Kütüphanesi (Istanbul, 1956), p. 6.Google Scholar

18 Gökman, Muzaffer, ibid., p. 5.Google Scholar

19 İsmail Saip Efendi is a very important name in the history of Turkish librarianship. His printed and manuscript books are in Ankara in the Faculty of Language History and Geography Library in the collection under his name.

20 Muzaffer Gökman, op. cit. (f.n. 17), p. 7.

21 Gökman, Muzaffer, İstanbul Kütüphaneleri ve Yazma Tip Kitapilari (Istanbul, 1959), p. 30Google Scholar. The catalogue has been printed as the Defter-i Kütüphane-i Veliyuttin (Istanbul, 1304/1885–86).

22 Muzaffer Gökman, op. cit. (f.n. 17), p. 8.

23 For his life, see Tayşi, Mehmet Serhan, “54. ölüm yildönümil münasebetiyle büyük kitap dostu Ali Emiri Efendi,”Milli Gençlik (şubat, 1978), pp. 11–17.Google Scholar

24 The writing on the seal says: “Ali Emiri from Diyarbakir” [in the middle], “I have presented this for God’s approval” [around the sides].

25 Divanü Lügat-it Türk Tercemesi, trans. Atalay, Besim (Ankara, 1939), pp. xvi–xix.Google Scholar

26 The catalogue has been printed as the Defter-i Kütüphane-i Damatzade Mehmet Murat (Istanbul, 1311/1892–93).

27 Gökman, Muzaffer, Muratmolla Kütüphanesi (Istanbul, 1958), p. 10.Google Scholar

28 In some of the printed catalogues of this library the corrections that probably Ismail Saip Sencer had made are seen. These corrections are not valid, according to our study. The books still have the numbers in the catalogues.

29 For the Süleymaniye Library, see Dener, Halit, Süleymaniye Umumi Kütüphanesi (Istanbul, 1957)Google Scholar and Süleymaniye Library (Istanbul, 1974).

30 Halit Dener, ibid., p. 32. The deed of trust (Vakfiye) has been printed as the Süleymaniye Vakfiyesi (Ankara, 1962).

31 Halit Dener, ibid., p. 31.

32 Cunbur, Müjgan, “Kanuni Devrinde kitap sanati, kütüphaneler ve Süleymaniye Kütüphanesi,” TKDB 17, 3 (Ankara, 1968), p. 139.Google Scholar

33 Halit Dener, op. cit., p. 32.

34 The 79 collections given in Halit Dener’s book and the 94 collections given in Süleymaniye Library, published in 1974, are very few.

35 Türkiye Yazmalari Toplu Kataloğu, vol. 1 (Ankara, 1979), p. xiv. See also Parmaksizoğlu, İsmet, “Türkiye Yazmalari Toplu Kataloğu Çalişmalari,” TKDB 29, 2 (Ankara, 1980), pp. 92–98.Google Scholar

36 Türkiye Yazmalari Toplu Kataloğu, vol. 1 (Ankara, 1979); Vol. 2 (Ankara, 1980); 1 (34), 1981.

37 Türkiye Yazmalari Toplu Kataloğu, vol. 1, p. xiv.

38 Only the number of the manuscripts is given in the collection; the Turkish, Arabic, and Persian figures are not considered very reliable. This is also true for all Turkish, Arabic, and Persian books in the other libraries.

39 The catalogue of the library has been printed as the Defter-i Kütüphane-i Atif Efendi (Istanbul, 1310/1891–92). For the library, see also Türkiye Kütüphaneleri Rehberi (Ankara, 1957), pp. 56–57; and Süleymaniye Kütüphanesi(Istanbul, 1974), p. 24.

40 The catalogue of the library has been printed as the Köprülü Mehmet Paşa Kütüphanesinde mahfuz Kütüb-i Mevcudenin defteridir [n.d., n.p.]. For the library, see also Türkiye Kütüphaneleri Rehberi (Ankara, 1957), pp. 74–75; and Süleymaniye Kütüphanesi (Istanbul. 1974), p. 17.

41 The catalogue of the library has been printed as the Nuruos-maniye Kütüphanesinde mahfuz Kütüb-i mevcudenin defteridir(Istanbul, 1301/1882–83).

42 The catalogue of the library has been printed as the Abdurrahman Nacim Efendi, Koskada Kğin Sadr-i esbak Ragip Paşa Kütüphanesinde mevcut olan Kütüb-i şerifenin defteridir(Istanbul, 1310/1891–92).

43 For further information, see Ragip Paşa Kütüphanesi Vakifnamesi, Ragip Paşa Library, No. 137.

44 For the children’s schools, see Kut, Turgut, “İstanbul Sibyan Mektepleriyle ilgili bir vesika,” Türklük Bilgisi Araştirmalari, Vol. 2 (Harvard, Cambridge: 1978), pp. 54–84.Google Scholar

45 The catalogue of the library has been printed as the Defter-i Kütüphane-i Elhac Selim Ağa(Istanbul, 1310/1891–92).

46 Konyali, Ibrahim Hakki, Abideleri ve Kitabeleriyle Üsküdar Tarihi, Vol. 2 (Istanbul, 1977), p. 404.Google Scholar

47 Ibrahim Hakki Konyali, ibid., p. 405.

48 Türkiye Kütüphaneleri Rehberi(Ankara, 1957), p. 70.

49 Ertap, Konor, “Divan Edebiyati Müzesi…,” Milliyet Sanat Dergisi. Issue 345 (November 26, 1979), 18–21.Google Scholar

50 For the manuscript catalogues of this library, see Note 6.

51 Karatay, Fehmi Ethem, Topkapı Sarayı Müzesi Kütüphanesi Türkçe Yazmalar Kataloğu, vol. 1 (Istanbul, 1961), Şehsüvaroğlu’s, Halûk Y. foreword, p. v.Google Scholar

52 Ibid., p. vi.

53 Ibid., p. viii.

54 Some of the rare manuscripts from the various museums and libraries in Anatolia and Istanbul were also collected and put on exhibition in this museum. A few examples can be mentioned : from Ayasofya (47 manuscripts), from çoban Mustafa Library in Gebze, from Edirne, from Süeyman Fevzi Paşa Library in çorum, from Murat Molla in Istanbul, Aşir Efendi and Pertevniyal Valide Sultan, Nuruosmaniye Library, the manuscripts were put on exhibition beginning in 1914, the foundation of the library. These are still on exhibition in this museum. Also, books and other items are sent to the new museums, especially to the ones in Anatolia, and to the Museum of Turkish and Islamic arts.

55 Apart from the catalogue for the printed books, there is a one-volume catalogue in two fascicules printed concerning the Arabic manuscripts. This work has not been completed: Karatay, Fehmi Ethem, İstanbul üniversitesi Kütüphanesi Arapça Yazmalar Kataloğu, vol. 1, Fase. 1–2 (Istanbul, 1951–53)Google Scholar. For further information about the library, see Türkiye Kütüphaneleri Rehberi(Ankara, 1957), pp. 19–20 Ali Ercan Tiğ, “Istanbul üniversitesi Merkez Kütüphanesinin Bugünkü Durumu ve Yeni Binanin Kapasitesi” (thesis, Istanbul, 1971).

56 “İstanbul Üniversitesi Kütüphanesi Çalismalari,” İstanbul üniversitesi Bülteni, issue 13 (March 1980), 30–31.

57 Tayla, Nihal, “İbnülemin Mahmut Kemal Inai ve Hakki Tarik Us Kütüphanesi” (thesis, Istanbul, 1957), [Istanbul University Library, Thesis No. 10312], pp. 29 ff.Google Scholar

58 For the manuscripts about medicine, see Gökman, Muzaffer, İstanbul Kütüphaneleri ve Yazma Tip Kitaplari (Istanbul, 1959), pp. 31–37.Google Scholar

59 Türkiye Kütüphaneleri Rehberi(Ankara, 1957), p. 32. Although Muzaffer Gökman gives this figure as 504 in his İstanbul Kütüphaneleri ve Yazma Tip Kitaplari(p. 23), in consultation with the librarians, we decided that the figure should be around 600.

60 For an old catalogue of the Military Museum, see Alus, Sermet Muhtar, Müze-i Askeri-i Osmamîi Züvvarina Mahsus Rehber, 3 vols. (Istanbul, 1920–22).Google Scholar

61 Orhan Durusoy, İstanbul Belediye Kütüphanesi Alfabetik Kataloğu, vol. 1 (Istanbul, 1953), 11.

62 Ibid., p. iv.

63 Ünver, Süheyl, “Osman Ergin çalişma hayati ve eserleri 1883–1961,” Belleten 26, issue 101 (Ankara, 1962), p. 169Google Scholar. Also, Durusoy, Orhan, Osman Ergin’in Arapça, Farsça, Türkçe Yazmalari (Istanbul, [n.d.]), 160 ppGoogle Scholar. The book has no date, no printer’s name, nor even a front cover. This book, which is not for sale, includes descriptions of 496 manuscripts, beginning with the letters elif and be. In addition, the 11-volume work of Osman Ergin lists 6,968 collections which include 1,959 manuscripts.

64 The information here was derived from the small brochure.

65 This information was also derived from the same brochure about the library.

66 For further information about the library, see Nihal Tayla, op. cit. (f.n. 57), pp. 34 ff.

67 Nihal Tayla, ibid., p. 48.

68 There is also a catalogue for the Naval Museum, which is very old: Ali Sami, Bahriye Müzesi Kataloğfu(Istanbul, 1333/1913–14).

69 The deceased izzet Koyunoğiu has presented all of his books to the Konya municipality.

70 There are 632 manuscripts listed in Türkiye Kütüphaneleri Rehberi(p. 72). But, according to a talk we had with the director of the observatory, Mr. Muammer Dizer, we have reached the conclusion that this figure should be 574; some of the books have more than one copy; some others are lost.

71 Dizer, Muammer, Kandilli Rasathanesi Kitapliği Yazma Eser Kataloğu, vol. 1 (Istanbul: Kandilli Observatory Center Press, 1973)Google Scholar; Seven, Rifki, Kandilli Rasathanesi Kitapliği Yazma Yapit Kataloğu, vol. 2 (Istanbul: Kandilli Observatory Center Press, 1977).Google Scholar