Calligraphy by Nassereddin Shah Qajar (r. 1848-1896), Iran qâjâr, 1300 or 1301 Calligraphy on paper of 11 lines of Persian nasta'liq text inscribed in shaded reserves on a gold background dotted with polychrome flowers, 7 horizontal lines, the last 4 inscribed vertically. The whole forms a large gilded reserve standing out against a gold-illuminated background of hatayi floral decoration. Mounted as an album page on card stock painted with fine gold and colored borders. The text is a note to Amin al-Sultan recommending the salary increase promised to Mirza Abu Torab Khan: "By order of the Shah and informing the Naeb al-Saltaneh (Crown Prince), 300 tomans were paid to Mirza Abu Torab Khan. This sum came from the salary of the former secretary of the London embassy, Mirza Muhammad Ali Hamedani. Year 1300 or 1301". Dim. calligraphy: 13.8 x 10.8 cm; Dim. total: 17.6 x 14 cm Stains, folds, traces of mounting (enlargement?). Attached is a poetic calligraphy attributed to Prince Kamran Mirza Nayeb es-Saltaneh (1856-1929), Iran, second half 19th century. Calligraphy on paper of 12 lines of Persian nasta'liq text inscribed in black ink in cloud-like reserves on a gold background, the first and last two verses in a cartouche framed by gold floral illuminations, the other 9 lines divided into two columns separated by a frieze of scrolls. Mounted as an album page on blue card stock and girdled with several gilded and colored borders. Calligraphy size: 15.5 x 8.8 cm; overall size: 29.4 x 20.4 cm Stains, wear, wetness on borders. Mirza 'Ali Asghar Khan(1858-1907), to whom this letter is addressed, was Prime Minister to three Shah Qâjâr, including Nasser ed-Din Shah. He received the honorary title of Amin al-Sultan in 1883 after the death of his father. Prince Kamran Mirza Nayeb es-Saltaneh (1856-1929) was the third son of Nasser ed-Din Shah Qajar. His title Nayeb es-Saltaneh (Vice-Regent), which appears in the eighth line of this text, was bestowed by his father (named in the next line) in 1858. He is known artistically as a good nasta'liq calligrapher. We would like to thank Mr. Majid Abd Amin, researcher of Qajar manuscripts and documents in Iran, for reading this text. A Calligraphy by Nasser ed-Din Shah Qajar and a Calligraphy attributed to his son Kamran Mirza Nayeb es-Saltaneh, Iran, circa 1900 and 2nd half of the 19th century Collection of M. A. Z. - 1960 to 1980 (by descent) - lots 238 to 252