Stephen Butler Rare Books & Manuscripts
Stephen Butler has been dealing with books and manuscripts for nearly three decades and has a wide range of interests and expertise. These range from early medieval manuscripts to illuminated manuscripts, cuttings and miniatures through to early printed books, both Continental and English.
We count amongst our clients individual collectors and connoisseurs as well as international Institutional Libraries and galleries.
As members of the International Antiquarian Bookseller’s Association (ILAB) you can be assured of the highest standards of service and dealing. We only sell material which is original and has a proven Provenance.
When not dealing in things bibliographic, Stephen is an accomplished photographer and has been published in magazines and specialist photo websites.
Süleyman Aydemir has been immersed in the world of rare books and manuscripts since his university years. He earned his BA in Turkish Language and Literature from Istanbul University, where he developed a fascination for rare books and manuscripts. During his studies, he apprenticed at renowned bookshops in Istanbul, gaining hands-on experience in the antiquarian book trade.
Süleyman expanded his expertise with extensive travels across Iran, Central Asia, and the Middle East, studying regional book production and manuscript traditions. To deepen his understanding, he learned Persian and later Urdu, while acquiring fluency in Arabic during his stays in Egypt and Lebanon. His interest in Eastern languages and cultures eventually led him to the United States, where he is currently pursuing a PhD in linguistics at Yale University. While in the U.S., he also developed an interest in Latin American cultures and languages.
Today, Süleyman has mastery of all major Central Asian Turkic dialects, with particular expertise in Chagatai and Timurid-era Turkish texts. He is also deeply knowledgeable in Persian and Sanskrit. Süleyman is a member of the Azerbaijan Manuscripts Institute and the Uzbekistan Manuscripts Institute, and he has organized exhibitions and conducted scholarly projects in Turkey.
Süleyman dedicates much of his time to reading, research, and writing, with a focus on Central Asian languages and historical texts. In his leisure hours, he enjoys walking and savoring a good cup of coffee.
His specialties include rare Turkish, Persian, and Sanskrit manuscripts, Chagatai and Timurid texts, early Mamluk works, early Arabic manuscripts, Ottoman-produced manuscripts, and rare printed books.
