Geniza Lab

Letter from Barhun b. Salih Tahirti in Fustat to his cousin and partner, Barhun b. Moshe Tahirti in Alexandria, reporting about merchandise sold in Fustat and requesting that more be bought in Alexandria. He also has some personal requests. The letter was written over a period of five days. It also deals with the market fluctuations for the period. In a postscript Nahray b. Nissim writes that he is moving from the Tahirtis' house into a rented space of his own. This indicates a dating of the latter around 1050, from the early years of Nahray's involvement in the commercial life of Fustat after his arrival there ca. 1045. (Information from Goitein's index card)

Letter from Nissim b. Yiṣḥaq al-Tāhartī, in Sūsa, to Nahray b. Nissim, in Fustat. Dating: ca. 1052 CE. The letter mentions the connections that Nahray has with the Tāhirtī family as well as business matters with two Muslims, ʿAbd al-Raḥmān and his son Abū ʿAbdallāh (Ibn al-Baʿbāʿ,
s s
I. 39 and margin). It mentions also Nissim b. Ya'aqov, who leads a center of learning in Qayrawān. The writer respects Nahray and will try to get him the books that he wants. Nissim opens the letter by conveying his concern for Nahray's eye disease, and his happiness that Nahray's condition is better now than "when the doctors frightened you regarding it" (r4–6). Later, in the context of Nissim's troubles this winter, he conveys the news of a woman (identity unclear) who is very sick (recto, right margin). (Information in part from Gil, Kingdom, 3, pp. 319–24, #389)

Private account written by Nahray b. Nissim and Barhun b. Ishaq. 1061. Details about shipment of silk and linen cloths and a partnership in trading pearls. Mentions the news about the death of Isma’il b. Barhun al-Tahirti. Also mentions that the trading with Sicily is still happens despite the events in the island. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, #295) VMR

Draft of a letter from Nahray b. Nissim to a person in the Maghreb. Around 1046. Seems like the letter is addressed to the Tahirti Family. Mentions several of his relatives and a few ships. Also mentions a visit of Nahray to Alexandria, the status of selling silk, and the arrival of Ibn Basak (Masliah b. Eliya, the Sicily’s judge). (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, pp. 722-723) VMR On the recto of the join is a different business letter.

Private account written by Nahray b. Nissim, about his partnership with Barhun and Yosef b. Musa ha-Tahirti. 1059. They sent different merchandise to the Maghreb including flax, camphor, ruby and other products. Details about the dinars that they received for the goods. The accounts are for three years, 1056-1058. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, #287) VMR

Private account by Barhūn b. Mūsā and Barhūn b. Ṣāliḥ ha-Tahirti. Around 1055. Including different payments and details about shipment expenses in the ports of Alexandria and Rashid. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 3, #355) VMR

Letter fragment from Barhūn b. Yiṣḥaq al-Tāhirti. The letter is addressed to someone who is younger than the writer (he calls him “my son”). Mentions a big loss in business because of goods that got wet. Also mentions his brother ʿAṭā, his cousin Yūsuf b. Mūsā, and the ship al-Laki. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 3, #386) VMR

Private account by Barhun b. Musa ha-Tahirti to his business partner, probably in Sicily. 1057. Including details about different payments, the purchase of wheat, and about businesses in Sicily, Palermo, and Mazar. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 3, #356) VMR

Private account by Barhun b. Salah ha-Tahirti. Most details are about expenses for shipping flax. Mentions other goods, mainly camphor, which was bought in a price that is about a third of the regular price. Also mentions expenses for packages, shipments, taxes, and bribe. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 3, #336) VMR

Private account of Barhun b. Yishaq ha-Tahirti. Around 1050. Contains financial report with Abu al-Khier, who is Musa b. Barhun ha-Tahirti, the writer’s uncle. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 3, #388) VMR

Letter written in the 11th century, mentioning Abū Isḥāq Barhūn. (Information from CUDL)

Verso: draft of a register of shipments of goods by Barhun b. Musa al-Tahirti. Around 1050. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 3, #353) VMR

An account by Barhun b. Musa ha-Tahirti with Yeshua b. Isma’il and Abu Ibrahim. Around 1060. Regarding their partnership in business of redwood and silk. Nahray b. Nissim wrote several details on the right side about shipment of money. Verso: Mentions a shipment of Persian cloth, cotton, a deal with b. al-Trabulsi and rose water. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 3, #358) VMR

Fragment from a private account written by Nahray b. Nissim. 1049. Some details about trades of pearls and beads. This document seems like a draft for the account that Nahray sent to Barhun b. Yitzhak ha-Tahirti (see: Bodl. MS heb. e 98/64-65). In this list writes details about buying flax in Munimun and its shipment to Rashid, and probably from there to Alexandria. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 2, #275) VMR

Letter from Iṣḥaq b. David b. Sughmār to Barhūn b. Mūsā al-Tāhirtī, mid 11th century. The writer asks Barhūn b. Mūsā al-Tāhirtī to purchase for him urgently a jug or a third of a jug of high quality cooking oil, for which he appears to have found a customer. The price should be a dinar for a jug. (Information from Gil, Kingdom, Vol. 4, p. 6.)