The publication is dedicated to one of the most valuable collections of the Manuscript Department of the Russian National Library - Persian manuscript books of the XIV-XVII centuries. The pages of the publication contain data on the formation of the collection, a brief history of the development of the art of the book of Iran is given, but most importantly, the best examples of bindings, calligraphy, ornamental decoration and miniatures are presented here. A separate chapter is devoted to six masterpieces of a handwritten book of the 16th century - their artistic features, masters and customers, the circumstances of their appearance and history of existence.