The rare books given to Dubai’s Mohamed Bin Rashid Library. SUPPLIED

Dubai’s Mohamed Bin Rashid Library has received rare collectibles worth Dh1 million from the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Charity Foundation. “These collectibles will be a strong addition to the Treasures of the Library exhibition, which embodies the world’s finest attempts of philosophical works throughout the centuries,” said Mohammad Ahmad Al Murr, Chairman of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library. The gifts included a 1824 book Sovereigns of England by William Henry Worthington. The blue crushed morocco covers of this exceptionally fine binding are decorated with 39 hand-painted portrait miniatures on ivory ovals and roundels of English monarchs. The largest miniature portrait depicts Edward VII. It is stamped-signed by Rivière and Son, established in 1881 by the descendants of Robert Rivière, a prominent London bookbinder. The gifts also included a 1910 Isabella, or the Pot of Basil, A Story from Boccaccio by John Keats. This copy of Isabella by John Keats was written out, illuminated, and bound by F. Sangorski and G. Sutcliffe of London, with an outstanding 176 semi-precious jewels in the covers. The upper cover with a richly gilt-tooled pointillé background with a large recessed arabesque titling panel with “Isabella” written in 64 turquoises in a metal frame. The library also received The Compleat Angler by Izaak Walton from 1927, featuring a front cover inset with a watercolor scene by C.B. Currie after George Morland, entitled "The Angling Party." The miniature is a lovely scene, among the largest and most detailed of Currie's works. Illustrated by E. Fitch Daglish. Bound by Rivière and Son, and established in 1881 by the descendants of Robert Rivière, a prominent London bookbinder. The Treasures of the Library exhibition houses more than 300 rare collectibles, including an impressive collection of rare and old books, atlases, and manuscripts, some of which date back to the 13th century. ICA/Expat Media
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