Rare 14th-Century Manuscript Headlines Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025

Education & Research

Rare 14th-Century Manuscript Headlines Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025

A rare 14th-century manuscript of Ibn Sina’s Canon of Medicine, valued at Dh464,550, has taken centre stage at the 34th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), which opened today at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi and will run until May 5. The historic manuscript celebrates the 1000th anniversary of Ibn Sina’s iconic work, a cornerstone of medieval Islamic and global medical knowledge.

Presented by renowned antiquarian book dealer Peter Harrington, the manuscript is part of a curated collection exploring Middle Eastern history, heritage, and early interactions between Islamic and Western traditions. This year’s fair features 1,400 exhibitors from 96 countries and offers more than 2,000 activities spanning literature, publishing, creative industries, and cultural dialogue.

Among the highlights of Peter Harrington’s exhibition are several other rare treasures, including:

The first known appearance of Arabic script in an American novel, The Kentuckian in New-York (1834), priced at £7,500 (Dh36,675).
A previously unrecorded 19th-century Arabic-English phrasebook by an Egyptian author, also valued at £7,500.
A rare copy of the first complete Arabic edition of One Thousand and One Nights, printed at Cairo’s Bulaq Press in 1835.
A visual archive of Saudi Arabia’s post-war Hejaz Railway project (1948), featuring over 200 unpublished photographs, priced at £18,500 (Dh90,465).
Original watercolours by famed illustrator Edmund Dulac for The Arabian Nights, priced between £35,000 and £80,000 (Dh171,000 and Dh391,000).

The collection complements this year's ADIBF theme, "Knowledge Illuminates Our Community," organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre and held under the patronage of President Sheikh Mohamed.

Pom Harrington, owner of Peter Harrington, emphasized the emotional and cultural significance of the pieces: “These works carry value beyond their rarity — they speak to identity, memory, and belonging.” Harrington noted a rising interest among Middle Eastern collectors, especially younger generations, who are increasingly building libraries that reflect personal histories and cultural roots.

Another standout exhibit is a facsimile of Al-Istakhri’s Book of Climes, reproducing some of the earliest surviving Arabic maps, offering a glimpse into the Islamic Golden Age of cartography.

According to Ben Houston, sales director at Peter Harrington, interest in Arabic calligraphy, Islamic philosophy, early scientific texts, and heritage materials is growing, reflecting a broader regional trend toward cultural preservation and national identity.

The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair continues to position itself as a global platform celebrating literature, history, and knowledge, drawing collectors, scholars, and readers from around the world.