Rare Persian Gulf gazetteer coming up in Cheltenham auction
Hugh Gordon Lorimer's 1908/1915 Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Oman
and Central Arabia is set to take the book world by storm in a unique
appearance at auction – The Cotswold Auction Company's 29th September Books and
Collectables Sale at Chapel Walk, Cheltenham.
No auction records exist and only one other copy is known in the
British Library. Later republished in many volumes, the original work was a
daunting endeavour – Lorimer printed the second volume in 1908, having failed
to complete the table of contents and introduction to the first volume (which
eventually numbered over 130 pages!) in his lifetime. The first volume was only
published after Lorimer's death in 1914 by L Birdwood, who finished the work,
in 1915.
This is the most important single source of
historical material on the Gulf States and Saudi Arabia, issued as a secret
document by the British Government in India .
It was compiled with the original intention of providing British agents and
policymakers in the Gulf, India and London with "a convenient and portable
handbook to the places and interests with which they are likely to be
concerned". The first volume is historical with appendices, such as essays
on Sailing Craft, Pearl Fisheries, Western Christianity, the Slave Trade in the
Persian Gulf, Lord Curzon's Cruise and other subjects of interest... In
addition there are twenty-one genealogical tables for the ruling
families of the Persian Gulf, Oman and Central Arabia. The second volume is a geographical dictionary listing tribes, towns
and principalities and has 56 reproductions of photographs taken by British
officers and others.
Books cataloguer Charlotte Seward said "This is such a rare
opportunity to purchase the original work that we are challenged to place an
accurate estimate – we have estimated £4000-£6000, but interest is mounting all
the time and it could easily realise considerably more!"
These rare books can be viewed at the Chapel Walk Saleroom in
Cheltenham during the View on Saturday 26 September 10 am to 1 pm or Monday 28
September 10 am to 6 pm or on the morning of sale from 9 am. The catalogue is
online on www.cotswoldauction.co.uk and live online bidding can be accessed via
www.the-saleroom.com. For enquiries please telephone 01242-256363.
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