[THE FIRST BOOK ON TEA IN TURKISH LITERATURE] چای رساله‌سی / Çay risâlesi. [i.e. The book of tea]

[ÇAYCI] SEYYID MEHMED IZZET (1819-1909).

Izzet Efendi Matbaasi, Istanbul, AH 1295 = [1889 CE].

Original cloth. Royal 8vo. (24 x 16 cm). In Ottoman script (Old Turkish with Arabic letters). 81 p. Fading on the blind-tooled titles on the front and rear boards, foxing on the pages, and the spine is completely missing. Overall, a fair/good copy. 

Lithographed edition. Extremely rare first edition of the earliest original work on tea in Turkish literature, written by Mehmed Izzet during his tenure as Deputy Governor of the Hejaz. Nicknamed "Çayci" (The Tea Man) for his fondness for tea, Izzet published this pioneering work, which was followed just a month later by a shorter, second edition in the same year (69 pages).

“This book is among the early examples to reference the concept of 'copyright and authorship' in its colophon.” (Erdem).

This comprehensive work surveys the etymology of the word “tea,” its uses in medicine and pharmacy, the various types and grades of tea, methods of preparation and brewing, and its health benefits.

The book opens with a “dibâce” (preface explaining the reason for writing) and a “mukaddime” (introduction), both presented under a richly ornamented heading adorned with floral and garland motifs. Notably, the placement of the “serlevha” (decorative title panel) on the left page is highly unusual. The text is arranged in fifteen lines per page, framed by three nested borders. It is written in elegant Naskh script without diacritics and printed on thick laid paper (“papier vergé”) bearing a visible watermark. On the preface page, ex-ownership mark in Ottoman script “Raif Karadağ” (1920-1973), a Turkish journalist and author.

Mehmed Izzet, fluent in Arabic, Persian, and French, came from a well-established family originally from Edirne (Adrianople). His wife was of Circassian descent, belonging to the Shapsug tribe. He is credited with popularizing the custom of tea drinking in the Çukurova (Cilicia Pedias) region during his tenure as governor of Adana. Known for his hospitality, he would generously serve tea to all visitors at his office.

Özege 3273.; Erdem pp. 206-208.; OCLC shows fifteen copies: 682375879, 644490360, 891324841.; LoC. Karl Süssheim Collection, no. 1628.