[EDUCATION & LIBRARIES IN THE LATE OTTOMAN SYRIA] [Arabic broadside of the call for the book donation to the New Sultaniye School Library in Damascus].

Original broadside. Letterpress on paper with a moon-and-star letterhead. 30x20 cm. In Arabic. Minor creasing and faint vertical and horizontal fold lines; repaired a small tear with no loss; overall, a very good example. A rare letter press broadside in Arabic appeal issued by the New Sultaniye School in Damascus, urging benefactors and the public to donate books in Arabic, Turkish, French, or English for the establishment of the school's library. The text emphasizes the indispensable role of schools and libraries in the advancement and moral elevation of the nation, framing education and access to books as patriotic and religious duties. Text (English translation): "The New Imperial School It is true that a nation which does not attend to the spread of knowledge and does not accord science its due value cannot rank among the noble nations. Therefore, it is incumbent on every individual of our nation, for the elevation of its standing, to exert all possible effort for the advancement of the schools, which are without doubt the source of progress, success, refinement, and reform in every age. One may ask: can a school be beneficial if the necessary means that enable it to educate the minds of students and improve their morals are lacking? Indeed, the other schools' requirements, educational implements and instruments of refinement such as preservation of handwriting and methods of composition, necessitate that every lover of books provide materials for reading during leisure. Libraries have been among the most important assisting factors and given their great benefits we have considered it our duty to strive vigorously to increase them. The New Imperial School, which has been built in Dimashq (Damascus) to be of service in fortunate times, has therefore undertaken to establish this noble library. We thus request from your honor(s) the provision of the library with whatever books you can spare, whether in Arabic, Turkish, French, or English. May God reward you on behalf of knowledge and its people with the best reward; He does not let the recompense of those who do good be lost. Peace. (Presented on behalf of 'Alî Efendi, secretary of the New Imperial School in Dimashq.)" This paper reflects the contemporary educational reforms carried out in Syria during the last period of the Ottoman Empire and the cultural mission of the Sultani schools established in the Ottoman Empire at the end of the Tanzimat and the beginning of the 20th century through newly established libraries.

Lingue: Arabic