‘Ibn Saud press photograph’
In a rare snapshot from the archives of The Times newspaper, a critical and secretive meeting between Ibn Saud and the British representative Sir Gilbert Clayton in Hejaz in May 1927 is captured. This pivotal negotiation led to the Treaty of Jeddah, shaping the northern borders of Saudi Arabia. The discussions over the borders were complex and intense, particularly focusing on the towns of Maʿan and Kaf.
‘Pilgrimage to El-Medinah and Mecca’ by Richard F. Burton
Richard Francis Burton’s three-volume first edition narrates his extraordinary Hajj journey made in disguise as a Muslim native of the Middle East. Forbidden to non-Muslims, Burton’s account surpassed all Western narratives of the holy cities of Islam. His subterfuge remained undiscovered as he performed all rites of the pilgrimage in Makkah.
‘Map and Overview Presenting the Hejaz Railway Route’
A 1903 map showcases the ambitious Hejaz Railway project, delineating its route from Syria to Makkah. The map details existing and under-construction railway sections, proposed extensions, and important roads and caravan routes. By 1908, the railway allowed safe and easy Hajj pilgrimages until its termination in Madinah due to political reasons.
‘Material from the library of Peter O’Toole by T.E. Lawrence’
An insightful archive from T.E. Lawrence’s library, now in Peter O’Toole’s possession, sheds light on Lawrence’s transformation and his uneasy relationship with celebrity. Autograph material, including a letter criticizing his own book, offers a unique glimpse into Lawrence’s psyche.
‘Oil Region in the Desert of Saudi Arabia’
A 1950 painting by Michael Mathias Kiefer depicts the modern Saudi Arabian oil industry amidst traditional Arab settings. The image captures the juxtaposition of Arab figures and oil infrastructure, symbolizing the centrality of oil to the Saudi economy. Camels, travelers, and drilling rigs create a strikingly orientalist scene in the desert.