Second-Hand Book Market or Old Book Bazaar is located next to the historical Bayezid Mosque, on Fatih, district of Istanbul. The name of that market, ‘’Sahaf’’ means the pages or bookseller in Ottoman Turkish. Therefore that name reflects its function; Many years ago, the first sahafs begun to sell their ancient books in madrasahs (moslem theological school) around the Fatih Mosque in Istanbul. Afterwards, when the fascinating Grand Bazaar was built in 1460, those book stores were allocated and clustered here. But the bazaar which has abundance of many various books was moved todays Sahaflar Bazaar which has known as the Engravers Market (Hakkatlar Carsisi in Turkish) until 1950.
Features
Today from past that incredible market has experienced many events. When it is look at the features of sahaflar, it is said many things about them. For example; Sahaflar (Booksellers) was highly educated to be master about their work. Because of that, they had to experience the period of apprenticeship and semiskilled. Also they had a sage (founder of order) named Abdullah Yetimi Efendi of Basra regulating the system of the guild among those people and controlling them.
Except for that, at the beginning belonging to the Guild of Sahaflar, the Old Book Bazaar specially contained ancient book like Ottoman manuscripts, calligraphies and inscriptions of ancient era, textbooks, new edition books and second-hand books have been begun to be sold in order to keep up with our day. In addition that, once upon a time pamphlets being the production of Ottoman were bought and sold here.
In 17th century French author, Antonie Galland sold a manuscript with miniature here and gave it to the French king as a present. It is said that this manuscript is exhibited in National Library today.
Destruction And Renovation
Old Book Bazaar was completely damaged in a fire during 1950 and thousands of works were burned to ashes. Therefore Istanbul Metropolian Municipality socialized here and turned those wood structures into the reinforced concrete. In 1952, it was reopened.
When you wander around that charming bazaar, you will see the bust of Ibrahim Müteferrika who was the explorer of printing press and the first person publishing Turkish book in 1732, at the midway of that place. After that glorious bust was erected in 1980, the parquets on the ground of the market were removed, instead of them, tiles with hexagonal were furnished in order to be renovated that magnificent bazaar.
That charming market is not only the center of distribution and sales, it is a meeting point for intellectuals and the people interested with the books. Today, it is visited by many scientists, intelligentsia and booklover.
