nting； which is proof enough that after this great shah lost his taste for
coffee； he also lost his mind。
This was why the divinely inspired bookbinders； calligraphers； gilders and
miniaturists； who created the greatest masterpieces in the world over a
twenty…year period in Tabriz； scattered like a covey of partridges to other cities。
Shah Tahmasp’s nephew and son…in…law； Sultan Ibrahim Mirza； invited the
most gifted among them to Mashhad； where he served as provincial governor；
and settled them in his miniaturists’ workshop to copy out a marvelous
illuminated and illustrated manuscript of all seven fables of the Seven Thrones
of Jami—the greatest poet in Herat during the reign of Tamerlane。 Shah
Tahmasp； who both admired and envied his intelligent and handsome nephew；
and regretted having given his daughter to him； was consumed by jealousy
when he heard about this magnificent book and angrily ousted his nephew
from the post of Governor of Mashhad； banishing him to the city of Kain；
before sending him off to the smaller town of Sebzivar in a renewed fit of
anger。 The calligraphers and illuminators of Mashhad thereupon dispersed to
other cities and regions； to the book…arts workshops of other sultans and
princes。
Miraculously； however； Sultan Ibrahim Mirza’s marvelous volume did not
remain unfinished； for in his service he had a devoted librarian。 This man
would travel on horseback all the way to Shiraz where the best master gilders
lived； then he’d take a couple pages to Isfahan seeking the most