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Published by Methuen, London, 1939
Seller: Arroyo Seco Books, Pasadena, Member IOBA, Pasadena, CA, U.S.A.
Association Member: IOBA
Book First Edition
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Ix, 485 Pp. + Folding Map At End. Green Cloth, Gilt. First Printing. Wear, Gilt Brilliant, Some Fading To Cloth, Fraying At Two Upper Tips, Minute Frays At Two Lower Tips. Ownership Signature And Inscription In Greek From Gordon --- Jr. Dated Autumn 1939. From The Library Of U. S. Mideast Diplomat John S. Habib Although Not Marked As Such.
XIX, [1 blank], 485, [1] pp.First edition of this travel account by the first European to cross the Rub al-Khali (Empty Quarter) of Arabia from east to west, the Arabist, explorer, writer, and British colonial office intelligence officer St. John Philby (1885-1960), also known by his Arabian name "Sheikh Abdullah". Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, he studied oriental languages and was a friend and classmate of Jawaharlal Nehru, later prime Minister of India. Philby settled in Jeddah and became famous as an international writer and explorer. He personally mapped on camelback what is now the Saudi-Yemeni border on the Rub al Khali; in 1932, while searching for the lost city of Ubar, he was the first Westerner to visit and describe the Wabar craters. At this time, Philby also became Ibn Saud s chief adviser in dealing with the British Empire and Western powers. He converted to Islam in 1930. The personal contacts between the United States and Saudi Arabia were largely channeled through the person of Philby.From the collection of the Dutch traveller and collector Ruud Verkerk. With 2 inserted colour photographs mounted on the plates facing p. 314 and 318, showing Verkerk standing beside inscriptions on rock of the old fort at Uqla - south face, as well as standing in front of the Rock fort of Uqla, both dated in pencil 18 December 1997. Light damage to head of spine. Paper occasionally foxed and a slightly creased. Overall a good copy.l Macro 1801.