Old and rare books and manuscripts, some translated into Arabic, are showcased at an Austrian platform specializing in acquiring historical documents and manuscripts from major global auctions. These are being displayed to visitors at the 40th Sharjah International Book Fair, with individual book prices reaching up to 4.5 million dirhams, dating back to the 17th century and representing a valuable cultural and historical treasure. Their total value amounts to approximately 8 million euros.
It is noted that the Sharjah International Book Fair has marked a new chapter in Emirati and Arab culture, establishing itself for the first time in its 40-year history as the world's largest book fair in terms of buying and selling publishing rights for 2021, surpassing book fairs that have been in existence for hundreds of years.
#### Unique Copy of "The Godfather"
A unique copy of "The Godfather" appears prominently in the exhibition booth, according to Yasser Al-Tamimi, the head of the Sharjah branch of the company. It features a series of illustrations from Mario Puzo's film "The Godfather," which were contributed by the American-British director Alfred Hitchcock, regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of the past century. Hitchcock, who directed 53 feature films, some of which are considered classics, has a unique copy of the book adapted into the iconic 1972 film. Its value stands at 4,500 euros, in addition to a series of illustrations for the film "Stage Fright" priced at 150,000 euros, hand-drawn by Hitchcock, whose sketches served as a guide for writing the script and directing the film.
#### The Most Expensive and Rarest "Tomato Tree"
There is also a painting by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, aged nearly 80 years, from 1942, which represents the rarest collection in the world, consisting of 31 paintings valued at 450,000 euros. This includes a painting of a horse and a small drawing of a tomato tree on which he drew a heart that he gifted to a close friend who was passionate about horses and loved tomatoes.
#### Expensive Volumes by a French Spy
Al-Tamimi points out that the most sought-after exhibits among visitors are valuable volumes from a French spy and writer, aged more than a century, from 1807 to 1873. This collection comprises 320 books that include his personal thoughts and translations from Latin to Ottoman languages. Speaking six languages, this rare collection has only one existing copy worldwide, valued at 1,050,000 euros.
#### Manuscripts Valued at 8 Million Euros
Yasser Al-Tamimi expressed optimism about this year’s edition due to its exceptional nature after the fair received the title of the largest in the world. He mentioned that in the previous edition, their participation aimed at affirming their presence against the pandemic, and he expected one of the manuscripts and valuable pieces in their possession, totaling around 8 million euros, to be sold.
#### A Thriving Book Market
Al-Tamimi explained their participation in the Sharjah International Book Fair as a way to acknowledge its role in promoting cultural values and knowledge, celebrating the heritage of civilizations, as it is considered a prestigious global platform. It has been ranked the number one worldwide, surpassing the Frankfurt and London book fairs, in addition to being a thriving market for books and a leading platform supporting all local, Arab, and international publishing houses.
#### 32 Manuscripts in 3 Branches
Al-Tamimi continued that "Antiquarian Books & Antiquities Form" takes pride in possessing a "civilizational fortune" and "rare documentary treasures" exceeding 32,000 manuscripts, books, paintings, and historical materials acquired from the most famous global auctions since its establishment in 1883.
#### Cultural Wealth
Yasser Al-Tamimi emphasized the importance of their presence at the Sharjah International Book Fair, not merely as traders selling books and manuscripts worth millions, but with the aim of creating an interactive environment including educational activities for visitors to enrich their experiences and satisfy their curiosity. They strive to provide simplified information about these "treasures," representing echoes from the world's civilization. He added, "We are keen to inform visitors about these rare books, their authors, publication dates, and values, as part of spreading awareness of the culture of reading, knowledge, and enlightenment, emphasizing that the goal is not necessarily to own them but to explore their existence and understand their value as cultural wealth that stands witness to bright eras in human history."
