Microgrants/Persian miniature painting book
Persian miniature painting book
- Overview
Really arising from the British Library Editathon earlier this month, this was one of the books I got out at the BL, but only had the time to skim it briefly. The full title is: Titley, Norah M. Persian Miniature Painting, and Its Influence on the Art of Turkey and India: the British Library collections, 1983, University of Texas Press, ISBN 0292764847 (272 double col. pages; British Library Pubs in UK), and it is arguably still the standard work on the whole subject. I would not be buying the book if I were not going to use it on WP, and will in time be able to add & expand a large number of articles from it.
- Budget
£12.64 via Amazon, a remarkably cheap price. The next cheapest 2nd hand copy on Amazon is £34.40, and the cheapest on Abebooks £19.31 (all prices include p&p). The postage is only £2.80 on mine & possibly the American seller may come back & ask for more for that; I have had the order accepted though. That must be below actual cost for a heavy book coming from the US (by pallet, to be posted only in the UK I expect). The £12.64 is about the travel cost of 1.5 trips to Central London to me, where the nearest library copies are (reference copies only, like the BL).
- Expected outcomes
Islamic painting, which is mainly in miniatures in manuscripts, covering over 600 years, is a really weak area in WP, & of course British collections are very strong in it. I did Khamsa_of_Nizami_British_Library, Or. 12208 at the editathon and after, then moved on to Persian_miniature_painting, which I have expanded greatly. But although I have two short books on that specific subject, plus Grove online etc, I have found I need more to really move the area on. With Titley's very comprehensive book as the main source, I would be able over time to greatly improve that one, perhaps to FA standard, and add many articles on the most important manuscripts and artists of Persian, and also Mughal and Ottoman, miniatures, which have their own main articles that are still very weak. Category:Islamic_illuminated_manuscripts would be hugely improved. I can easily see 20-30 mostly new articles eventually, though that will take a good while. If any other editors were interested I could lend the book via the London meetups.
- Who I am
Some of you know me; art history is my main subject, & I have 7 FAs (mostly in collaboration), & 157 DYKs etc. Also 80K+ edits, & I presented a talk at the British Museum conference last year. Johnbod 11:49, 28 January 2011 (UTC)
- Discussion
- Looks good to me - happy to approve this if Tom's also happy with it. Have you already purchased the book, or do you want us to purchase it for you? Thanks. Mike Peel 12:33, 29 January 2011 (UTC)
- Approved. Please let me know how you want the money sent (bank transfer or post) and give me the details by email (treasurer _*AT*_ wikimedia.org.uk). Please keep in mind that the book will belong to us so, when you are finished with it (I understand that may take a few years!) please give it to us so we can more easily make it available to other Wikimedians. Thanks! --Tango 20:44, 3 February 2011 (UTC)
- Thanks! I've ordered it & paid by card. I'll be at the Board interest meeting (if that is confirmed) if that is an easy way, otherwise post or transfer. You have my address I think (chapter member), but not my bank a/c. Johnbod 21:12, 3 February 2011 (UTC)
- I've been asked to update. I have the book, & have used it. I hope I got the money - I think I added it to an expense claim but will try to check. I don't think Tango gave me a cheque in the end. Johnbod (talk) 14:58, 6 December 2013 (UTC)
- Again asked to update; I don't think I've used the book recently, & the area remains fairly weak, though much better than in 2011. I remain the main editor adding content in this area afaik. Johnbod (talk) 16:38, 15 December 2014 (GMT)