A Network of Early Twentieth-Century Islamic Manuscript Dealers and the Collections They Shaped

Join UCLA Library on July 27, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the Charles E. Young Research Library for a special presentation by 2026 Karmiole Fellow Garrett Davidson, titled "A Network of Early Twentieth-Century Islamic Manuscript Dealers and the Collections They Shaped." This lecture explores the intricate networks utilized by Syrian manuscript dealer Rashīd al-Ḥawāsilī, who played a pivotal role in assembling and dispersing collections of Arabic, Persian, and Ottoman manuscripts across the globe—from Istanbul and Cairo to institutions in Dublin, Princeton, and Los Angeles. The discussion will highlight the historical context of manuscript trading in the early twentieth century, including significant transactions such as the 1929 sale of three thousand manuscripts to London dealer Abraham Shalom Yahuda. Following the lecture, attendees can view selections from UCLA Library’s Islamicate and Arabic-script manuscript collection—the second-largest in North America. This event is part of the ongoing Karmiole Fellow Lecture Series, which showcases research conducted in Library Special Collections. Dr. Garrett Davidson, an expert in Islamic scholarly tradition and Arabic manuscript culture, leads the Asian Studies Program at the College of Charleston. Registration details for the event will be provided soon.