[IRAN / BIOGRAPHICAL COMPENDIUM OF THE POETS OF THE SAFAVID PERIOD] Tazkirah-e Nasrâbâdî. [i.e. Book of the biographies by Nasrâbâdî]

SAFI MIRZA (Mohammad Taher Mirza), (1587-1614), Der Chaphânâ-ye Armagan, Tehran, [Sh. 1317] = 1938. Original wrappers. Roy. 8vo. (24 x 16 cm). In Persian. [6], 575, [1] p., b/w ills. Slight foxing covers, and a skillfully repaired spine; overall a very good and untrimmed copy. First complete printed edition in book form of this extremely rare compilation of short biographical notices on one thousand poets of the Safavid period, compiled by the Iranian poet and literary historian Mirza Moḥammad Ṭâḥer Nasrâbâdâ (b. Mârbin of Nasrâbâd, in the vicinity of Isfahan, 1027/1618) and presented to the Safavid Shah Suleimân (r. 1666-1694). Nasrâbâdî embarked upon the project in 1083/1672 (Tazkirah, p. 5) and completed it in 1091/1680.The book starts with the customary brief passages in praise of God and the Prophet, a discourse on the virtues of poetry, the reasons for composing the work, and a florid eulogy of Shah Suleiman. It consists of a preface (moqaddama) devoted to the poetry of kings and