Faik Sabri – Geography and Math Lessons Ottoman Textbook 1916 Empire with many Maps Europe Asia

Küçük Mekteblilere Coğrafya Dersleri (Geography Lessons for Young Schoolchildren) & Yeni Usul Resimli Hesap Dersleri (New Method Illustrated Arithmetic Lessons) – Bound Educational Textbooks, 1334–1337 (c. 1916–1921)

Description:

This hardcover volume brings together two separate Ottoman educational textbooks intended for primary-school pupils, providing an interesting example of the instructional literature used during the final years of the Ottoman Empire and the transition toward modern educational methods. The first work, Küçük Mekteblilere Coğrafya Dersleri (Geography Lessons for Young Schoolchildren), is specifically prepared for the second grade of the advanced level of primary schools (Devre-i Âliye İkinci Sınıfı). It was published in Istanbul by Kanaat Kitaphanesi in 1334 (c. 1916) and was written by Faik Sabri.

Faik Sabri's geography textbook is extensively illustrated and particularly notable for its cartographic content. The volume contains more than 40 maps covering a broad range of geographical subjects, together with photographic illustrations depicting cities from around the world as well as cities and locations within the Ottoman Empire. The combination of maps, photographs and geographical instruction reflects the increasingly visual and observational approach to geography education in late Ottoman schools, making the book especially interesting as both an educational publication and a record of contemporary geographical representation.

The second work bound in the same volume is Yeni Usul Resimli Hesap Dersleri (New Method Illustrated Arithmetic Lessons), the sixth book in the series prepared for the second year of the advanced level of primary schools (Devre-i Âliye İkinci Sene – Altıncı Kitap). The introductory material states that the book was prepared in accordance with the latest primary-school curriculum established by the Ottoman Ministry of Education (Maarif Nezareti), employing intellectual and practical exercises, numerous problems and illustrations to develop mathematical understanding through applied practice.

This is the third edition (Üçüncü Tab) of the arithmetic textbook, indicating that the work had already reached a further printing. It also states that the book was awarded first-degree acceptance in a competition organized by the Ministry of Education for textbooks to be taught in schools. The authors are Hamazasb Haki, identified as a general inspector and member of the Ministry of Education's Inspection Board, and Salih Zeki, the prominent Ottoman mathematician and historian of science who served as director of Darülfünun.

The arithmetic volume was printed in Istanbul at Matbaa-i Kader in Rumi 1337 (1921). Bound together with the earlier geography textbook, the volume preserves two examples of Ottoman primary education literature from different dates, bringing together geography and arithmetic within a single contemporary schoolbook binding. For collectors and researchers, it offers valuable insight into the curriculum, teaching methods, visual pedagogy and educational publishing of the late Ottoman period.

Key Features:

• Title: Küçük Mekteblilere Coğrafya Dersleri (Geography Lessons for Young Schoolchildren) & Yeni Usul Resimli Hesap Dersleri (New Method Illustrated Arithmetic Lessons)

• Authors: Faik Sabri; Hamazasb Haki & Salih Zeki

• Intended Audience: Students of the Second Grade of the Advanced Level of Primary Schools (Devre-i Âliye İkinci Sınıfı)

• First Book: Küçük Mekteblilere Coğrafya Dersleri (Geography Lessons for Young Schoolchildren)

• First Book Publication Year: 1334 (approximately 1916)

• First Book Place of Publication: Istanbul

• First Book Publisher: Kanaat Kitaphanesi

• First Book Contents: Comprehensive geography instruction supported by maps and photographic illustrations

• First Book Maps: More than 40 maps

• First Book Illustrations: Photographs of cities from various parts of the world and cities of the Ottoman Empire

• Second Book: Yeni Usul Resimli Hesap Dersleri (New Method Illustrated Arithmetic Lessons)

• Second Book Series: Devre-i Âliye İkinci Sene – Altıncı Kitap (Sixth Book for the Second Year of the Advanced Level of Primary Schools)

• Second Book Edition: Üçüncü Tab (Third Edition)

• Second Book Publication Year: 1337 (1921)

• Second Book Place of Publication: Istanbul

• Second Book Printer: Matbaa-i Kader

• Educational Method: Prepared in accordance with the latest primary-school curriculum of the Ottoman Ministry of Education, using mental and practical exercises, numerous problems and illustrations

• Official Status: Stated to have received first-degree acceptance in a competition organized by the Ottoman Ministry of Education for textbooks to be used in schools

• Authors of Second Book: Hamazasb Haki, General Inspector and member of the Ministry of Education's Inspection Board; Salih Zeki, prominent Ottoman mathematician, historian of science and director of Darülfünun

• Language: Ottoman Turkish

• Binding: Hardcover

• Collectible Significance: A particularly interesting bound volume preserving two Ottoman school textbooks covering geography and arithmetic, with extensive maps, photographic illustrations and evidence of contemporary educational methods and curriculum

• Historical Context: Representative of the illustrated and increasingly practical approach to primary education during the final years of the Ottoman Empire and the early twentieth-century development of modern school textbooks