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سال 1390 خورشیدی ـ 2550 پاسارگادی خجسته باد |
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بخش هایی از گفته و نوشته های افراد در مورد دکتر سیروس علائی
Tony Campbell تونی کامپبل رئیس سابق بخش نقشه ها در موزه بریتانیا: شما چه متفننی باشید علاقمند به نقشه، چه مورخ نقشه نگاری باشید و یا مسئول بخش نقشه ها در کتاب خانه ای، می توانید اطمینان داشته باشید که هیچ کتابی نظیر این کتاب ندیده اید.
پرفسور احسان یار شاطر: دکتر علائی سال هاست که به گردآوری و پژوهش نقشه های ایران از کهن ترین ایام مشغول بوده است و مقالاتی نیز در این زمینه منتشر نموده است از جمله مقاله Cartography (نقشه نگاری) در دانشنامه ایرانیکا به قلم اوست، اما گستره و شمول این کتاب و تصاویر جامع آن چیز دیگری است. نقشه هایی که در این کتاب به طبع رسیده سال های 1477 تا 1924 را در بر می گیرد. یعنی از اواخر دوره تیموری که نقشه های بطلمیوسی در اروپا شروع به انتشار کرد تا انقراض قاجاریه و آغاز سلطنت رضاشاه که تاسیساتی برای نقشه پردازی و نقشه نگاری در خود ا یران فراهم شد. اما کتاب منحصر به وصف و ارائه 400 نقشه و 200 تصویر نیست. بلکه دکتر علائی نقشه ها را در متن تاریخی آن ها قرار می دهد و سوابق نقشه نگاری را از 2300 پیش از میلاد روشن می کند. به راستی، این کتاب در رشته ی خود مانندی نداشته است. فهرست های متعدد، به خصوص فهرست اسامی شهرها و رودها و کوه ها و سایر امکنه ی جغرافیایی که خواندن آن ها در نقشه ها کمتر آسان یا مفهوم است و تمیز جای آن ها در نقشه های مختلف کمک بزرگی برای خواننده است.
ایرج افشار: سیروس علایی (مقیم انگلستان کاری کرد کارستان و آن تالیف و تدوین و نشر کتابی است یگانه و ممتاز و کاملا سندی از مجموعه ی نقشه های ایران که خود دارد یا از کتاب خانه ها و مراکز علمی جهان به دست آورده و تاریخچه ای مربوط به یهر یک بر آن افزوده و چون کتابی عتبر و عالمانه است در این کتاب چهارصد نقشه ی ایران پرداخته میان سال های 1925 ـ 1477 از میان بیش از یک هزار و دویست نقشه برگزیده و همراه با دویست تصویر از اشخاص و مناظر به چاپ رسیده است. من خوشوقتم که این کار عظیم وطن پرستانه به دست یک ایرانی انجام شده و انتشارات بریل با نشر آن سکه ی قبول بر آن زده و مالا سندی است که هر خارجی بی غرضی به آن توجه خواهد کرد و قطعا می تواند در بسیاری از مباحثی که گاه به گاه پیش می آید (مانند نام خلیج فارس) این مرجع اساسی کارآمدی داشته باشد. A CV of Dr. Cyrus Alai
CYRUS ALAI was born in Iran and received his PhD degree (Dr.-Ing.) from ‘Technische Universität, Berlin-Charlottenburg’. He completed the ‘Executive Controls Program’ – a management course – at the University of Syracuse, USA, and lectured at the University of Teheran for eight years. Dr. Alai founded a group of engineering companies in Iran, which he directed for twenty years. He settled later in England, working as a consulting engineer and studying history of cartography in his free time. He served nine years as the honorary treasurer of the International Map Collector’s Society (IMCoS), and wrote numerous articles and gave many lectures (including one at SOAS on 8th NOV 2006 at the Khalili Lecture Room. organised by SOAS and Iran Heritage) on ‘the cartography of Persia’ and ‘the traditional cartography of classical Islamic societies’. His articles (in English and Persian) appeared in several prestigious cartographic and cultural periodicals, such as: Map Collector, IMCoS Journal, Mercator’s World, Portolan, Journal of the Iran Society, Iranshenasi (Persian), Rahavard, etc. The entry ‘Geography iv, Cartography of Persia’ in the Encyclopaedia Iranica, has been written by him. He also collected old maps of Persia and owns perhaps the largest personal collection of such maps. Dr. Alai recognised that Persia has been mapped extensively for centuries but the absence of a good map-history and carto-bibliography has often deterred scholars from making use of such maps. Therefore, he embarked on a lengthy (about 20 years) investigation into the old maps of Persia and visited major map collections and libraries in many countries. As a result, he produced a monumental work in two volumes: General Maps of Persia, 1477-1925 appeared in 2005, and Special Maps of Persia in 2010, both published by BRILL in Leiden, The Netherlands.
From the Publisher on volume one:
GENERAL MAPS OF PERSIA
Iran, or Persia as it was known in the West for most of its long history, has been mapped extensively for centuries but the absence of a good cartobibliography has often deterred scholars of its history and geography from making use of the many detailed maps that were produced. This is now available, prepared by Cyrus Alai who embarked on a lengthy investigation into the old maps of Persia, and visited major map collections and libraries in many countries.
With over four hundred separate map entries and over two hundred illustrations this work covers all the important printed general maps of Persia from the early editions of Ptolemy at the end of the 15th century until 1925 when the Qajar dynasty was overthrown. Useful historical accounts provide the background to this wealth of cartographic achievement. After a description of the many editions of Ptolemy, later maps are divided into groups according to the country where they were produced: Italy, the Low Countries, France, Germany, Great Britain, Russia, America, Persia, Turkey, and Spain with Portugal. This permits the work of a single cartographer to be handled in an uninterrupted sequence, thus aiding quick reference to a particular style of map, and its later offshoots.
At the end of each major entry, further details concerning different editions and variations, other related maps, historical notes and unique or important features are provided, thus fitting the map into its chronological background. The large number of indexes at the end of the book should enable map collectors, dealers and librarians to identify any map of Persia with ease.
This book is a good balance between history and geography, and will appeal to a wide range of readers. Many Persian maps have surely been rescued from obscurity, and it is now possible to study sequence of developing geographical knowledge over a historically and economically important part of Asia. It is unlikely to be superseded for a very long time.
From the Publisher on volume two:
SPECIAL MAPS OF PERSIA, 1477-1925
This volume is the sequel to the best-seller and award-winning General Maps of Persia, praised by Dr. John Hébert, Chief of the Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress: “This carefully researched work is a must have item in any collection of research materials on the history of cartography... I cannot wait for the arrival of subsequent volumes of further great scholarship and readable map reproductions on other detailed aspects of the history of mapping of Persia.” Encouraged by numerous commending reviews in five languages – English, French, German, Persian and Armenian – and gratifying testimonials from many renowned authorities in the fields of ‘History of Cartography’ and ‘Iranian Studies’, Cyrus Alai worked hard another five years to produce the present volume: Special Maps of Persia, 1477-1925, covering every map of that region, other than general maps. Thus, it is, on one hand, a completely new volume in its own right and, on the other, a complementary volume to General Maps of Persia. The book is divided into nine chapters: Historical Maps, District Maps, Frontier Maps, Town Maps, Political Maps etc. Like the preceding volume, it has a dual character, being both a carto-bibliography and a mapping history of Persia. It contains 761 map-entries, of which 409 are illustrated, mostly in colour. Concise related historical accounts precede every chapter and section, and essential historical notes are also supplied within many of the map entries. Undoubtedly, this book is a treasure house not just for cartographers, but also historians, social historians, linguists and archaeologists. What Peter Barber, the Head of the Map Library/British Library wrote about General maps of Persia is equally valid for Special Maps of Persia: “It is most informative and clearly set out and looks lovely too – it seems destined for the scholars’ library, the collector’s bookshelf and the amateur’s coffee table, a very rare achievement.”
Extracts from some of the Reviews and Testimonials written for GENERAL MAPS OF PERSIA, 1477-1925
It is rarely that the qualities of scholarly enthusiasm, a study in depth, and a fine publication come together in combination. The author Cyrus Alai and the publishers Brill deserve congratulations on their efforts that have been so well realised in this case. (Rodney Shirley, author on history of cartography, IMCoS Journal 104, Spring 2006, England)
This outstanding book is a welcome addition to the histories of cartography. Its scholarship is first class, its graphic reproduction is excellent, and its physical properties will sustain it under heavy use as a library reference. (Hubert Johnson, author on history of cartography, The Portolan, Spring 2006, Washington DC)
This is the first book of its kind, which has brought [together] a comprehensive collection of maps of Persia/Iran published since 1477... The book comes to fill a gap in cartographic literature and is a very important document for all interested in the history of cartography of the area. (Rouben Galichian, author on history of cartography, translated from Armenian by the author, Aliq Daily: www.alikonline.com, Jan. 25, 2006)
General Maps of Persia strikes a balance between history and geography, making it possible to comprehend the way of life of indigenous Iranians; in other words, it is a graphical display of the history of Iran. By rescuing these maps from obscurity and dust of libraries and old collections Cyrus Alai has helped today’s researchers to study the way of transformation and course of the geographical knowledge of Iran. By perusing this book researchers of Iranian Studies can investigate the links between the political, social and economical elements when describing and displaying the Iranian places. (Mehdi Khalaji, scholar of Islamic studies, translated from Persian, BBC. Persian.com, Dec. 13, 2005)
The efforts of Dr. Alai in locating these maps in various libraries and describing them in detail has been a worthy step to help all researchers in their historical and geo-political investigations of Iran throughout the past five centuries. (Pedzvak, translated from Persian, Kayhan Weekly 1105, May 17, 2006, London)
This publication’s major contribution is bringing into one volume a rich and wide range of bibliographical material, thereby providing an invaluable resource for further investigations for those interested in the region... Summing up: Recommended. Upper-divisions undergraduate through professional/practitioners; general readers. (L. Yacher, Southern Connecticut State University, Choice Magazine, June 2006, Current Reviews for Academic Libraries – Vol. 43, No. 10, Middletown, CT. USA)
This is a magnificent work of the same rank as the monumental cartographic volumes by Prince Youssouf Kamal (Egypt) and Thomas Niewodniczanski (Poland)... The volume, which shows the profound expertise of the author Cyrus Alai, has been successful in every aspect. He answers the cursory questions of collectors and amateurs without any difficulty as he satisfies equally and reliably the scientific demands. (Prof. Uta Lindgrin, University of Bayreuth, translated from German, Cartographica Helvetica 35/2007, Switzerland)
The book presents a splendid and fascinating display of general and regional maps of Persia accompanied by a thorough description of the origin and nature of these maps... Undoubtedly this collection of maps is a treasure house not just for cartographers but also historians, social historians, linguists and archaeologists. Cyrus Alai should have our thanks for preparing so painstakingly and meticulously another source of crucial material in the history of the discovery of Persia... (J P Luft, University of Durham, Imago Mundi 60-1, 2008, England)
Surprisingly this is the first published study of the mapping history of Persia/Iran, a country of major significance from ancient times to today. That the author spent fifteen years on the task, examining 1200 maps in the process, is one reason why it has not done before. Such a project is not for the faint-hearted. The other reason is that, until Dr. Alai contracted ‘map-fever’ becoming the acknowledged world authority on the mapping of Persia, there was nobody with the necessary enthusiasm and expertise to carry out such a work... Whether you are an interested amateur, a cartographic historian or a librarian, you can be assured that you will have seen nothing like this book before. (Tony Campbell, former Head of the Map Library/British Library, a MapHist Message from, Nov. 2, 2005, London)
It is most informative and clearly set out and looks lovely too – it seems destined for the scholar’s library, the collector’s bookshelf and the amateur’s coffee table: a very rare achievement... (Peter Barber, Head of the Map Library/British Library, Nov. 3, 2005, London)
This carefully researched work is a must have item in any collection of research materials on the history of cartography... I cannot wait for the arrival of subsequent volumes of further great scholarship and readable map reproductions on other detailed aspects of the history of the mapping of Persia. Congratulations on the appearance of your superb cartographic tome... (Dr. John R Hébert, Chief, Geography & Map Division, Library of Congress, Dec. 6, 2005, Washington DC)
Dr. Alai’s valuable introduction caters openly for historians and geographers; picture researchers and hard-pressed librarians also, however, should appreciate his guidance in choosing the appropriate image for their purpose. (Francis Herbert, Map Curator, Royal Geographical Society, Nov. 24, 2005, London)
Your General Maps of Persia... responds to a long-held desideratum. Scattered maps of Persia have been published here and there, but no comprehensive collection of all the maps of Persia from ancient to modern times had been researched and published. The research that you have carried out on the subject and the collection that you have brought together are unique. You have placed the academic community in your debt by providing a chronological sequence of the maps of Persia which clearly portrays the advance of geographical knowledge about Persia and its neighbouring countries from 1477 to 1925... May I congratulate you sincerely for this singular achievement. (Prof. Ehsan Yarshater, Columbia University, editor of Encyclopaedia Iranica, March 9, 2006, New York)
Your book on Persia has filled a gap for all map collectors especially as it is the first book to be published on maps of Persia. You have successfully combined the history of that country with the geography and the cartography... Most of my visitors have expressed great interest in your book. (Malcolm Young, founder of the International Map Society ‘IMCoS’, April 20, 2006, Swindon)
Cyrus Alai has produced an outstanding book of the maps of Persia. In these days it is easy to forget the once mighty Empire that contested the Greeks and preceded the Romans. It holds great historical interest but of more contemporary importance is the fact that it does help us appreciate the central Geo-Political situation of Iran today and our need to both understand what is it about and relate to it. (Lord Temple-Morris Peter, former president of the Iran Society, June 26, 2007, London)
It is a very impressive document... I thought your chapter on the maps of Ptolemy was very useful. In fact, the information you give regarding the various editions of Ptolemy is just as useful to collectors and students whether they are interested in Persia or not... All told, it is a very professional job and a lasting contribution. (Wesley Brown, president of the Denver Map Society, July 29, 2007, Denver)
Extracts from some of the Reviews and Testimonials written for SPECIAL MAPS OF PERSIA, 1477-1925
"With this second volume - equally large, handsome and eminently readable - we now have the two 'sides of the coin'. The Maps of Persia (2005) described the country's overall cartographic image, mostly as viewed from abroad. This second volume zooms in to look more carefully at the detailed investigations that had fed into the general maps.
For those who think that maps are just about topography and settlement patterns, the wide range of themes described in Dr Alai's new companion volume will come as a surprise. As computer cartography shows us today, there are few things that cannot be mapped.
Once again the author has seamlessly woven the precise publication details of the maps into the expert elucidation of the various histories that are needed to explain them: political, military, ethnic, and especially the surveys of coastlines and interior boundaries which gave the country its final form.
Nor should the publisher be forgotten. Just as a radio programme about an unseen work of art can be disappointing so long physical descriptions of maps are usually tedious. By agreeing, as before, to provide a generous number of illustrations, and of such excellent size and quality, Brill has simultaneously ensured the book's usefulness and its attractiveness." Tony Campbell, former Map Librarian, The British Library
While Cyrus Alai’s Special Maps of Persia will undoubtedly serve as an important reference volume for cartographers and academics, it is also important to note the impact it is making on the Persian community at large. As a culturally active member of Persian society (in Australia), I have already seen the way that members of the Iranian community here have reacted to this book and its sister volume, General Maps of Persia. They are drawn in by the extraordinary collection of colour maps and illustrations, and captivated by the interesting research notes that the author has written in a very accessible style. As a result, they are reminded of Persia’s long and rich history, and stirred by feelings of cultural pride that may have been diminished by years of change and upheaval. Many of them are moved to re-examine and explore their Persian heritage, and to share their re-invigorated enthusiasm with their Western friends and colleagues. And here I can attest personally that as a tool for introducing Persian geography, history and culture to Western acquaintances, Cyrus Alai’s book has proven to be an invaluable tool. Cyrus Alai’s Special Maps of Persia and General Maps of Persia are impressive publications that are helping to develop a better understanding of Persia and its people; one that extends beyond the generally narrow Western perception of Iran in its current political incarnation, and connects with the influential role that Persia has played in the world over the last five centuries. Azar Azordegan, Brisbane, Australia
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