Genre/Subject Matter:View of the walls of a fort on Hormuz Island, perhaps the Fort of Our Lady of the Conception, also known as the Portuguese Castle, the construction of which was completed by the Portuguese after conquering the island in 1515.Two men stand in front of the crumbling walls, one immediately right of centre and one at far right, perhaps for the purpose of providing a scale.Inscriptions:Ink, below image: 'Exterior of Fort, Hormuz, showing mouldering walls.'1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:145 x 200 mmCondition:The print is in good condition, though the mounting paper is heavily foxed and crumblingFoliation:‘12’Process:Silver gelatin
Oblique photograph taken in the course of an aerial reconnaissance of the Qatar Peninsula on 11 October 1935 by Squadron Leader J H Dand, Air Headquarters, British Forces in Iraq, Hinaidi. There is a report on the reconnaissance at IOR/R/15/2/159, folios 18-20.Inscribed: 800 feet.1 black and white photographDimensions: 180 x 180 mm.Foliation: the folio number, 28, is written in pencil, enclosed in a circle, and appears below the photograph near the right edge of the recto side of the folio. A previous foliation number has been crossed out.
Oblique photograph taken in the course of an aerial reconnaissance of the Qatar Peninsula on 11 October 1935 by Squadron Leader J H Dand, Air Headquarters, British Forces in Iraq, Hinaidi. There is a report on the reconnaissance at IOR/R/15/2/159, folios 18-20.Inscribed: 800 feet.1 black and white photographDimensions: 180 x 180 mm.Foliation: the folio number, 27, is written in pencil, enclosed in a circle, and appears above the photograph near the right edge of the recto side of the folio. A previous foliation number has been crossed out.
Oblique photograph taken in the course of an aerial reconnaissance of the Qatar Peninsula on 11 October 1935 by Squadron Leader J H Dand, Air Headquarters, British Forces in Iraq, Hinaidi. There is a report on the reconnaissance at IOR/R/15/2/159, folios 18-20.Inscribed: 700 feet.1 black and white photographDimensions: 180 x 180 mm.Foliation: the folio number, 22, is written in pencil, enclosed in a circle, and appears below the photograph near the right edge of the recto side of the folio. A previous foliation number has been crossed out.
Oblique photograph taken in the course of an aerial reconnaissance of the Qatar Peninsula on 11 October 1935 by Squadron Leader J H Dand, Air Headquarters, British Forces in Iraq, Hinaidi. There is a report on the reconnaissance at IOR/R/15/2/159, folios 18-20.Inscribed: 800 feet.1 black and white photographDimensions: 180 x 180 mm.Foliation: the folio number, 26, is written in pencil, enclosed in a circle, and appears below the photograph near the right edge of the recto side of the folio. A previous foliation number has been crossed out.
Oblique photograph taken in the course of an aerial reconnaissance of the Qatar Peninsula on 11 October 1935 by Squadron Leader J H Dand, Air Headquarters, British Forces in Iraq, Hinaidi. There is a report on the reconnaissance at IOR/R/15/2/159, folios 18-20.Inscribed: 800 feet.1 black and white photographDimensions: 180 x 180 mm.Foliation: the folio number, 24, is written in pencil, enclosed in a circle, and appears below the photograph near the right edge of the recto side of the folio. A previous foliation number has been crossed out.Condition: the caption is faint and not entirely legible.
Oblique photograph taken in the course of an aerial reconnaissance of the Qatar Peninsula on 11 October 1935 by Squadron Leader J H Dand, Air Headquarters, British Forces in Iraq, Hinaidi. There is a report on the reconnaissance at IOR/R/15/2/159, folios 18-20.Inscribed: 800 feet.1 black and white photographDimensions: 180 x 180 mm.Foliation: the folio number, 23, is written in pencil, enclosed in a circle, and appears above the photograph near the right edge of the recto of the folio. A previous foliation number has been crossed out.
Oblique photograph taken in the course of an aerial reconnaissance of the Qatar Peninsula on 11 October 1935 by Squadron Leader J H Dand, Air Headquarters, British Forces in Iraq, Hinaidi. There is a report on the reconnaissance at IOR/R/15/2/159, folios 18-20.Inscribed: 800 feet.1 black and white photographDimensions: 180 x 180 mm.Foliation: the folio number, 25, is written in pencil, enclosed in a circle, and appears above the photograph near the right edge of the recto side of the folio. A previous foliation number has been crossed out.
Genre/Subject MatterThis view of Bushire (Bushehr), from an elevated position looking south, is taken from the roof of the offices of Gray, Paul and Co. (sister firm to Gray, MacKenzie and Company), a company that acted as shipping agent for British India steamers between India and Europe, via the Gulf ports.A number of buildings are seen in the photograph, though relative degradation of the image obscures much of the background and horizon area. A building under construction extends from the lower left of the image to the centre. Immediately behind this, the terrace of a flat-roofed building is fenced off. Next to the building under construction, and immediately below the centre of the image, bricks can be seen stacked high against the wall of an adjacent building.In the far right of the image, towards the horizon, a domed roof can clearly be seen amongst the flat-roofed buildings. Although the dome is windowless, a smaller dome with openings to allow light to filter through sits atop it. This is possibly a bath house.InscriptionsLower right, in pencil, alongside image: ‘83’Below image: ‘The Town looking South from Gray. Paul's Office. 23. Feb. 1902’1 photographic printDimensions:109 x 155 mm [landscape]Format:Materials:Condition:The image is considerably faded throughout, with surface losses along the upper edge.Foliation:'83'Process:
Genre/Subject MatterGeneral view from the outskirts of the town (likely present-day Mutrah) to the harbour and promontory fort, from an elevated position, looking north-northeast. The area of the town and coastline visible in the distant middleground is the part of the town featured in the previous image (Photo 430/8/1). A ship can be seen emerging from behind the promontory right of centre on the horizon near Fort Al-Mirani.While those distant buildings are clearly several-storeyed white-washed buildings, the dwellings in the fore- and middleground are, for the most part, tents and other temporary structures. Overlooking these, on the western ridge a fortified tower can be seen in the far left of the image.A group of figures stands under a single tree in the foreground.InscriptionsUpper right, in pen, on image: ‘p. 3’; alongside image, in pencil: ‘b’Lower right, in pencil, alongside image: ‘2’Below image: 'The Town looking North. 31 Oct. 1900'1 photographic printDimensions:75 x 104 mm [landscape]Format:Materials:Condition:The image is faded throughout with surface losses in the upper left corner. White smeared spot staining in the right hand side of the image and in the lower right-hand corner originate in the printing phase.Foliation:'p 3'; 'b'; '2'Process:
Genre/Subject MatterGeneral view over the town out towards the harbour, from the south-west, looking north-east. Several-storeyed white-washed buildings can be seen in the fore- and middleground. To the far left, two apparently fortified towers can be seen on the foothills of the ridge at left; this is likely to be Fort Al-Mirani.In the bay, two large ships and two smaller boats, possibly dhows, can be seen.InscriptionsUpper right, in pen, on image: ‘p. 1’; alongside image, in pencil: ‘a’Lower right, in pencil, alongside image: ‘1’Below image: 'Town and Bay. 31rst Oct. 1900'1 photographic printDimensions:77 x 100 mm [landscape]Format:Materials:Condition:The image is considerably faded. There are surface losses in the left-hand lower corner and there is surface staining and residue throughout.Considerable fading.Foliation:‘p. 1’; ‘a’; ‘1’Process:
Genre/Subject MatterThis view of the Al-Jalali Fort at the south-eastern end of the Bay of Muscat was likely photographed from the roof of the British Consulate, situated along the shoreline adjacent to it (see also Photo 430/8/3).InscriptionsUpper right, in pen, on image: 'p. 8'; alongside image, in pencil: ‘b’Lower right, in pencil, alongside image: ‘4’Below image: ‘Old Portuguese Fort (1550). 31. Oct. 1900’1 photographic printDimensions:77 x 100 mm [landscape]Format:Materials:Condition:The image is considerably faded throughout. Large white spot staining in the upper left of the image probably originate in the printing phase.Foliation:'p. 8'; 'b'; '4'Process:
Genre/Subject MatterView from the shoreline of the British Consulate at Muscat, looking due west.The consulate is a pale-stoned, two or three-storeyed building built along the quays. Two gas lamps can be seen along the quay in front of the building and a single mashrabiyya (a form of enclosed balcony) breaks up the centre of the facade.Above the consulate a flagpole carries a flag. Figures can be seen sitting on the quay to the far left of the image. Several small boats are tied up along the shoreline.InscriptionsUpper right, in pen, on image: [illegible]; alongside image, in pencil: ‘a’Lower right, in pencil, alongside image: ‘3’Below image: ‘British Consulate. 31. Oct. 1900’1 photographic printDimensions:77 x 102 mm [landscape]Format:Materials:Condition:The image is considerably faded throughout with surface losses along the right-hand edge, lower left corner and 13 mm from left, 40 mm from lower edge. White smeared spot staining in the left-hand side of the image originate in the printing phase.Foliation:'c'; '3'Process:
Genre/Subject MatterThis scene, taken from an elevated position looking southwards towards a bay, shows the village of Sidāb, approximately 3 km south of the Bay of Muscat.A well-trodden path or dried-up stream can be seen leading through the dwellings, the majority of which appear to be tents, in the direction of the shoreline. A few trees and bushes are discernible.InscriptionsUpper right, in pen, alongside image, in pencil: ‘d’Lower right, in pencil, alongside image: ‘6’Below image: ‘Sidap. Village. 31. Oct 1900’Along the left-hand side of the image, white, vertical: [illegible]1 photographic printDimensions:76 x 103 mm [landscape]Format:Materials:Condition:The image is considerably faded in the right of the image.Foliation:'d'; '6'Process:
Genre/Subject MatterThis view of the bay of Muscat from an elevated position in the east was likely photographed from Al-Jalali Fort. It shows the Al-Mirani fort at centre, along with the Sultan's Palace and a variety of other buildings lining the shore in the left middleground.Many small craft are visible in the middleground and foreground, while two boats are at anchor further out in the bay at the right of the image.InscriptionsUpper right, in pen, alongside image, in pencil: ‘c’Lower right, in pencil, alongside image: ‘5’Below image: ‘Sultan's Palace. 31. Oct 1900’1 photographic printDimensions:72 x 100 mm [landscape]Format:Materials:Condition:The image is faded at the left. There are some minor surface losses in the lower half of the image.Foliation:'c'; '5'Process:
Aerial photograph of a ruined settlement at Ambak [Nibāk], situated in a desert landscape on the frontier between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The photograph was taken during a Royal Air Force reconnaissance flight on 14 October 1935. On the rear of the photograph is a red date stamp, marked ‘for official use only’, ‘Royal Air Force official, Crown Copyright Reserved’, and dated 16 October 1935.1 black and white photographDimensions:183 x 183 mm.
Genre/Subject Matter:Informal photograph of children on board the
Arabiaen route to Bombay. Mary Irene Curzon, the eldest daughter of Lord and Lady Curzon, sits at centre in a white bonnet and dress. With her a further three children stand, sit and lie nearby. A woman in white kneels at left, facing away from the camera.In the background a man sitting on a deck chair at centre looks towards the camera. At left in the background another woman sits in a deck chair. At left a woman and man stand (partially cropped out of photograph).This is the first of two, nearly identical photographs taken from the same angle. The second is at Photo 430/75/19.Inscriptions:Ink, below image: ‘Irene on board Arabia Dec 25. 1898’Pencil, alongside image at right: ‘18’Temporal context:This and the photographs that accompany it were taken en route to India at the end of 1898 and during the first year of Lord Curzon’s position as Viceroy of India, 1899.1 b&w albumen printDimensions:94 x 113 mmCondition:The image is buckled along with the card it is mounted upon. Several creases and scratches have been stabilised. Slight underexposure or toning have affected the quality of the print. Light surface dirt throughout.Foliation:'18'Process:Albumen, collodio-chloride and platinum printing out paper
Genre/Subject Matter:Informal photograph of children on board the Arabia
en routeto Bombay. Mary Irene Curzon, the eldest daughter of Lord and Lady Curzon, is at centre in a white bonnet and dress, looking towards the camera. With her a further three children stand, sit and lie nearby. A woman in white kneels at left, facing away from the camera.In the background a man and woman sit nearby one another on deck chairs. Two men walk along the deck at left away from the camera. At left a woman and man stand (partially cropped out of photograph).This is the second of two, nearly identical photographs taken from the same angle. The first is at Photo 430/75/18.Inscriptions:Ink, below image: ‘Irene.’Pencil, alongside image at right: ‘19’Temporal context:This and the photographs that accompany it were taken
en routeto India at the end of 1898 and during the first year of Lord Curzon’s position as Viceroy of India, 1899.1 b&w albumen printDimensions:92 x 118 mmCondition:The image is buckled along with the card it is mounted upon. Several creases and scratches have been stabilised. Slight underexposure or toning have affected the quality of the print. Light surface dirt throughout.Foliation:'19'Process:Albumen, collodio-chloride and platinum printing out paper
Genre/Subject Matter:Black and white photograph showing a gravel plain the foreground, and hills in the background.Inscriptions:Upper right, above image, in pen: ‘No 2.’Left, alongside image, in pen: ‘Lofty drifts of loose sand’ and ‘Gravel plain with sand’Right, alongside image, in pen: ‘Hills partially covered by sand drifts’Centre, below image, in pen: ‘Rocky ground. View to N. of Manzil’.1 photographDimensions: 105 x 149mm
Genre/Subject Matter:This full length standing portrait shows two young sons of the Banī Shaybah family, gatekeepers of the Caaba.The two boys stand side-by-side in matching light-coloured outer robes, which are embroidered at the lapels; under their outer robes each of the boys wears a patterned
jalabiya. These garments appear to be cut from the same cloth, except that the pattern is inverted.The boy on the left wears a pale-coloured turban but the boy on the right wears a keffiyeh held in place by an agal.The negative has had hand-work applied, causing it to take on a soft-shaded quality in places. In particular, the background appears to have been substituted.Inscriptions:Printed above image, in ink:XIVPrinted beneath image, in ink:'Kinder aus der Familie der Benī Schēbah (Thorhüter der Ka’bah).'A circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower right corner.1 collotype printDimensions:131 x 93 mmFormat:1 collotype printCondition:The print is in good condition.Foliation:‘XIV’
Genre/Subject Matter:This black and white photograph shows the ruins of the barracks at Basidu.Inscriptions:On reverse of image, in pen: ‘Ruins of Barracks at Basidu 1901’.1 photographDimensions: 95 x 119mm
Genre/Subject Matter:This black and white photograph shows the ruins of the hospital at Basidu.Inscriptions:On reverse of image, in pen: ‘Ruins of the Hospital at Basidu. 1901’.1 photographDimensions: 94 x 119mm
Genre/Subject Matter:This black and white photograph shows the ruins of the mess house at Basidu, with the Royal Navy ship HMS
Sphinxin the background.Inscriptions:On reverse of image, in pen: ‘Ruins of mess house Basidu H M S “Sphinx” at anchor. 1901’.1 photographDimensions: 92 x 119mm
Genre/Subject Matter:This black and white photograph shows the ruins of the Commandant’s house at Basidu.Inscriptions:On reverse of image, in pen: ‘Ruins of Commandants house at Basidu. 1901’.1 photographDimensions: 94 x 119mm
ImprintHaag: Martinus Nijhoff, 1888Genre/Subject Matter:The volume contains 65 collotype prints (pasted on paper), 5 photolithographs, 4 lithographs and 1 other image. The majority of these – particularly the latter half of the volume – are group portraits of pilgrims en route to Mecca.These photographs were taken evidently in the same courtyard-like space, either at Jeddah or Mecca, where Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje was based from 1884. Although not clearly anthropometric, some of these images can be classified as ethnographic portraits.Other scenes are taken at Mecca and include some photolithographic reproductions of photographs that may have been taken by Muḥammad Ṣādiq Bey (1822 or 1823–1902 or 1903), an Egyptian army engineer who took the first photographs of Medina in 1861 and Mecca in 1880-81, whose photographic prints Hurgronje was aware of and may indeed have collected.Still more photographs may have been taken by al-Sayyid ʻAbd al-Ghaffār, Hurgronje’s working partner during his time in Mecca, and possibly sent to Hurgronje after his departure from the Arabian Peninsula in 1885.Finally, the print attributed to Siegfried Langer (1781.b.6/60) is not likely to have been taken by Langer, rather, according to Durkje van Der Wal in his publication Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885 (Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, p. 40), the studio portrait was purchased and presented to Snouck Hurgronje.Elements1 Die Moschee und der nordwestliche Theil der Stadt2 Die Moschee3 Die Ka’bah4 Die H̱amīdijjah (von Othman Pascha erbautes Regierungsgebäude).5 Othman Pascha mit dem egyptischen Maẖmal.6 Die von Othman Pascha erbaute Hauptwache (links im Hintergrund èç Çafa).7 ‘Aun èr-Rafīq, Grossscherif von Mekka (1882– ).8 Othman Pascha, 1882–86 Generalgouverneur des H̱idjāz.9 Thorhüter der Ka’bah.10 Vornehmer indischer Kaufmann und türkische Beambte in Mekka.11 Vornehmner Kaufmann mit seinem cirkassischen Sklaven.12 Muhammad Abd-èl-‘Azīz, Sohn des reg. Grossscherifs13 Neffe des reg. Grossscherifs.14 Neffe des reg. Grossscherifs.15 Neffe des reg. Grossscherifs.16 Vornehmer Sèjjid in Mekka.17 Vornehmer Sèjjid in Mekka.18 Mu’èddin (Aufrufer zum Gottesdienste).19 Kātib (Schreiber) des Grossscherifs.20 Mekkanischer Arzt.21 Sohn des Arztes.22 Kinder aus der Familie der Benī Schēbah (Thorhüter der Ka’bah).23 Sèjjid in Mekka.24 Mekkaner.25 Kaufleute (Mekka und Djiddah).26 Ali Rèjjis (aus einem Geschlechte von Obersten der Mu’èddin, welches von Abdallah ibn Zubair herstammen soll).27 Mu’èddin (Aufrufer zum Gottesdienste).28 Mitglieder verschiedener Scherifenfamilien in Mekka.29 Mitglieder verschiedener Scherifenfamilien in Mekka.30 Mitglieder verschiedener Scherifenfamilien in Mekka.31 Mitglieder verschiedener Scherifenfamilien in Mekka.32 Ein Stück der Kiswah (der brokanten Bekleidung der Ka’bah). ¼ der Originalgrösse.33 Negersklaven mit dem Ṯúmburah-orchester.34 Pilger aus Sukapura (Java).35 Buginesische Pilger (Celébes).36 Pilger aus Solok (Sumátra).37 Pilgerin aus Banten (Java).38 Pilger aus Baçrah.39 Pilger aus Baẖrain; in der Mitte ein Schēch aus Kabul.40 Pilger aus Zanzibar.41 Pilger aus Baghdad.42 Pilger aus Mandar (Celébes).43 Pilger aus Sumbáwa.44 Pilger aus Djapára (Java).45 Pilger aus Malang und Pasurúan (Java).46 Bettelnde Pilger aus Jèmèn.47 Pilger aus Marokko.48 Indischer Pilger.49 Derwische aus Buchara.50 Haupt der Schēche für malaiische Pilger.51 Schēch für malaiische Pilger.52 Pilger aus Moko-moko und Indrapura. (West-Sumátra.)53 Pilger aus Edi. (Nord- Sumátra.)54 Schēch der Bootsleute in Djiddah mit drei Zunftgenossen.55 Süssigkeitskrämer (Djiddah).56 Ausrufer und Mäkler (Djiddah).57 Mekkanerinn.58 Lohndiener und Eunuch mit dem Kinde seines Herrn.59 Mekkanerinn im Brautanzug.60 Damen in Haus- und Strassentoilette (Djiddah). Aufnahme von Siegfried Langer.61 Pilger aus Selahar (vulgo Saleyar).62 Pilger aus Pontianak (West-Borneo); links ein dort ansässiger Araber aus H̱adhramaut.63 Pilger aus Sambas (Borneo); hinter den Pilgern steht der Wakīl (Bevollmächtigte) des Schēchs.64 Pilger aus Martapura (Süd-Borneo).65 Pilger aus Ambon, Kei und Banda; links der Sohn eines Ambonesen mit einer Mekkanerinn.66 Pilger aus Batjan (Molukken); Sohn des Sultans, Oheim des Prinzen und ein Priester.67 Pilger aus Ternate.68 Pilger aus Palembang.69 Pilger aus Korintji (Sumátra); der hinter ihnen sitzende Schēch stammt auch aus Korintji.70 Pilger aus Mandaïling (Sumátra).71 Pilger aus Gross-Atjeh mit zwei “Wakīl’s”.72 In Mekka gebräuchliche Gegenstände.73 In Mekka gebräuchliche Gegenstände.74 In Mekka gebräuchliche Gegenstände.75 In Mekka gebräuchliche Gegenstände.InscriptionsFront fly leaf, in pencil: ‘1781.b.6’ ‘Text 10077L4’Rear fly leaf, in pencil: ‘1781.b.6’1 three-quarter leather, published volume (c. 82 pages), illustrated with 65 collotype prints, 5 photolithographs, 4 lithographs and 1 other image
Genre/Subject Matter:This full length portrait shows a man, described as a ‘member of a shereef family’, i.e. a descendant of Muhammad via his daughter Fatima. He faces forward, looking toward the camera.The man wears a mid-coloured outer-robe over a pale-coloured robe with a large janbiya held at his waist with a dark-coloured sash. His mid-coloured keffiyeh is held in place by an agal.The negative has had hand-work applied, causing it to take on a soft-shaded quality in places. In particular, the background has been substituted completely and the pattern in the carpet on which he stands has been reinscribed.Inscriptions:Printed above image, in ink:XVIA circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower right corner.1 collotype printDimensions:128 x 95 mmFormat:1 collotype printCondition:The print is in good condition.Foliation:‘XVI’
Genre/Subject Matter:This full length portrait shows two men, described as ‘members of various shereef families,' i.e. a descendant of Muhammad via his daughter Fatima.They face slightly left, looking forward.Both men wear dark-coloured outer-robes over a pale-coloured robes, open at the neck. Each wears a large janbiya held at his waist with a dark-coloured sash. On their heads they wear pale-coloured turbans and they each hold the handle of an umbrella or parasol in their right hands: that of the man on the right is pale-coloured while that of the man on the left is dark-coloured.Inscriptions:Printed above image, in ink:XVIA circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower right corner.1 collotype printDimensions:127 x 96 mmFormat:1 collotype printCondition:The print is in good condition.Foliation:‘XVI’
Genre/Subject Matter:This full length seated portrait shows two men, described in the title as ‘members of various shereef families,' i.e. descendants of Muhammad via his daughter Fatima. They face slightly to the left, looking forward.The man on the right wears a dark-coloured robe, a pale-coloured, tasselled keffiyeh held in place by a dark-coloured agal and sandals. At his waist a janbiya can be seen emerging from his robes and he wears a ring on his little finger.The man on the left wears a pale-coloured outer-robe that is heavily embellished, perhaps embroidered, along the lapels over a white robe. On his head he wears a white turban with a dark-coloured cap. He wears polished leather shoes and he, too, wears a janbiya, which emerges from under his robe at the waist.The negative has had hand-work applied, causing it to take on a soft-shaded quality in places. In particular, the background has been substituted, though the mat on which they are seated remains.Inscriptions:Printed above image, in ink:XVIA circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower right corner.1 collotype printDimensions:127 x 95 mmFormat:1 collotype printCondition:The print is in good condition.Foliation:‘XVI’
Genre/Subject Matter:This full length seated portrait shows a man, described as a ‘member of a shereef family’, i.e. a descendant of Muhammad via his daughter Fatima. He faces slightly left and looks forward.The man wears a dark-coloured outer-robe over a pale-coloured robe, open at the neck. A large janbiya is held at his waist. His keffiyeh is held in place by a dark-coloured agal.Inscriptions:Printed above image, in ink:XVIA circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower right corner.1 collotype printDimensions:127 x 96 mmFormat:1 collotype printCondition:The print is in good condition.Foliation:‘XVI’
Aerial photograph of gardens and walls at Ambak [Nibāk], situated in a desert landscape on the frontier between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The photograph was taken during a Royal Air Force reconnaissance flight on 14 October 1935. On the rear of the photograph is a red date stamp, marked ‘for official use only’, ‘Royal Air Force official, Crown Copyright Reserved’, and dated 16 October 1935.1 black and white photographDimensions:183 x 183 mm.
Genre/Subject Matter:Black and white photograph showing a plain with tents, what appears to be a fort, and several people in the foreground, and hills in the background.Inscriptions:Upper right, above image, in pen: ‘No 3.’Centre, below image, in pen: ‘Amir Chah showing W end of valley. Closed by sand drifts. Also[?] Amir Chah thana’.1 photographDimensions: 105 x 149mm
Genre/Subject Matter:This full-length standing studio portrait of a woman is intended to demonstrate an ethnic, occupational and class ‘type’, in this case that of a Somali ‘stick-gatherer’. Although Frederick Mercer Hunter provides no description for stick-gatherers, the woman’s ragged clothing and pose may have been intended to demonstrate that she is what Hunter describes on p. 33 as a ‘low-born Somali or [negro] (Jarbarti)’who undertakes ‘scavengers’ work’.The woman, posed in a studio with rocks about her feet and carrying a long walking stick, appears bent over under the weight of the bundle of sticks she is carrying. A twisted rope binds the sticks together and forms a harness about her upper torso. The woman is blind or has an eye condition which has clouded her retinas.Inscriptions:In pencil, upper left corner adjacent to print: ‘12’1 albumen printDimensions:87 x 55 mm [portrait]Format:1 albumen print pasted to backing paper and mounted between pp. 130-31Materials:Silver printing-out paper, albumen printCondition:The print is unevenly hand-cut, with one surface adhesion of card in the upper left corner along the left-hand edge. Dark spotting and streaking throughout the upper half of the image originate in the printing process.Foliation:‘12’Process:Albumen print
Genre/Subject Matter:This photograph shows four men and a camel standing in a flat, stony area. Behind them tall hills rise. The title suggests that one of the men is Sharif Yahya, ‘a son of Sharif Ahmed, whose father was the famous Grand-Sharif Abdulmutalib [bin Ghalib (1880–82)], who died in 1886’.The camel’s reigns are held by Yahya’s slave; to his left, is Yahya himself, in his riding habit, while the two men on the far left are sharifs of a lower rank.The sharif on the left wears a white
thawbunderneath a dark-coloured outer robe. At his waist a scimitar or long
janbiya– the curved dagger that is traditionally worn at the waist in countries on the Arabian Peninsula – is held in place by a belt. The sharif second from left wears white trousers, a dark-coloured outer robe and striped shirt with a
janbiyaat his waist. Both men wear white keffiyehs held in place by dark-coloured agals and sandals. Each holds a stick in his right hand.Yahya and his slave both also wear keffiyehs held in place by dark-coloured agals but while Yahya’s is dark, his slave’s is white. Both men wear belts held up at the torso by decorated neck halters. Yahya holds a stick in his left hand; his slave holds a long-barrelled rifle upright by the upper barrel.The camel is shown bearing a ‘saddle cloth, richly embroidered with silver [thread], or
batāt’. Tassels hang from a decorative harness as well as from the saddle itself.The negative has had hand-work applied, causing it to take on a drawing-like quality in places.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘XVII’1 collotype printDimensions:185 x 241 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘XVII’Process:Collotype
Genre/Subject Matter:View looking north-east over the town towards the harbour. The fortified city wall is visible in the middle-ground. In the background overlooking the harbour, Fort Capitano (Fort Al-Mirani) to the left and and Fort Jellalee (Fort Al-Jalali) to the right.The middle- and foreground is made up of various low-lying stone-built and palm-frond structures while inside the city walls the structures are several-storeyed and stone-built with some evidently white-washed.Rocky hills rise from the centre to the left of the image.Inscriptions:Lower right, in pencil alongside image: '44'Lower left, in pencil alongside image: 'b'Below image, in pen: 'Town of Muscat from inland plain.'1 b&w albumen printDimensions:141 x 200 mmFormat:Albumen print on paperCondition:The print is in good condition with staining and creasing in the sky area in the upper right and left corners and minor surface dirt throughout.Foliation:‘b’ (crossed out); ‘44’Process:Albumen print
Photograph of Pradhan Singh, State Engineer, with Ibrahim Muhammad, Naqib of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman's Retinue, at the Jirziz spring head, Dhofar.This photograph is part of a series of photographs that appear at the end of a preliminary report on the land resources of Dhofar, produced by Brian Joseph Hartley, Director of Agriculture, Aden, and dated 20 March 1948.1 photographMaterials: 1 black and white photographDimensions: 139 x 86mm, on sheet 331 x 202mm
Genre/Subject Matter:This full-length seated portrait of a young man shows the son of the doctor shown in 1781.b.6/20, likely the photographer al-Sayyid ʻAbd al-Ghaffār, who collaborated with the photographer Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje.He wears a plain, dark-coloured outer robe over a patterned jalabiya, with a pale-coloured turban on his head. In his right hand the man grips the handle of a light-coloured umbrella or parasol. On his feet he wears shoes featuring an ornate buckle.The negative has had hand-work applied, causing it to take on a soft-shaded quality in places. In particular, the man’s feet have been over-drawn due to overexposure at the lower left corner of the photograph.Inscriptions:Printed above image, in ink:XIVPrinted beneath image, in ink:‘Sohn des Arztes.’A circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower right corner.1 collotype printDimensions:132 x 972 mmFormat:1 collotype printCondition:The print is in good condition.Foliation:‘XIV’
Genre/Subject Matter:This full-length standing portrait shows a very young boy, described in the title as a nephew of the Grand Scharīf. The boy faces to his left but looks towards the camera. His right hand holds the sash at his waist, which in turn holds a ceremonial janbiya in place.He wears a loose-fitting robe with a thin sash across his left shoulder and a turban on his head.The negative has had hand-work applied, causing it to take on a soft-shaded quality in many places. The original background has been substituted completely, except for the carpet the child stands on.Inscriptions:Printed above image, in ink:XIIPrinted beneath image, in ink:‘Neffe des reg. Grossscherifs’A circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower right corner.1 collotype printDimensions:130 x 93 mmFormat:1 collotype printCondition:The print is in good condition.Foliation:‘XII’
Genre/Subject Matter:This full-length standing portrait shows a very young boy, described in the title as a nephew of the Grand Scharīf. The boy faces forward towards the camera.A complicated sash, buckle and series of draped fabric or metal chains cover the boy’s chest and torso. He wears a dark-coloured hat with a light-coloured or silver circular motif at the front.The negative has had hand-work applied, causing it to take on a soft-shaded quality in places. The original background has been substituted completely.See also 1781.b.6/14Inscriptions:Printed above image, in ink:XIIPrinted beneath image, in ink:‘Neffe des reg. Grossscherifs’A circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower right corner.1 collotype printDimensions:130 x 94 mmFormat:1 collotype printCondition:The print is in good condition.Foliation:‘XII’
Genre/Subject Matter:This full-length standing portrait shows a very young boy, described in the title as a nephew of the Grand Scharīf. The boy faces forward towards the camera.A complicated sash, buckle and series of draped fabric or metal chains cover the boy's chest and torso. He wears a dark-coloured hat with a light-coloured or silver circular motif at the front.The negative has had hand-work applied, causing it to take on a soft-shaded quality in places. The original background has been substituted completely, except for the white sheet the child stands on.See also 1781.b.6/15Inscriptions:Printed above image, in ink:XIIPrinted beneath image, in ink:‘Neffe des reg. Grossscherifs’A circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower right corner.1 collotype printDimensions:130 x 94 mmFormat:1 collotype printCondition:The print is in good condition.Foliation:‘XII’
Tracing of parts of Admiralty chart 2837 B showing tracks and positions in the course of an aerial reconnaissance of the Qatar Peninsula on 11 October 1935 by Squadron Leader J H Dand, Air Headquarters, British Forces in Iraq, Hinaidi.1 mapMaterials: Printed on tracing linen.Dimensions: 463 x 367mm, on sheet 490 x 374mm.
Genre/Subject MatterMarket scene in
Ahwaz [Ahvaz]. High stone walls at right extend into the distant background along which rows of reed-covered stalls sell earthenware pots and other wares. At centre a man walks through the scene. At left the supporting columns, made from twisted trunks, of the canopy overhead can be seen.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: 'Ahwaz'Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘b’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘44’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘(April 1917)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:70 x 95 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'a'; '43'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject Matter:Street scene in Ahwaz [Ahvaz]. High stone walls at right and left extend into the distant background where a number of figures are walking. At far left a man walks towards the camera while at centre a man wearing European-style dress and a child walk alongside a donkey.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: 'Ahwaz'Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘a’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘43’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘(April 1917)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:70 x 95 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'a'; '43'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject Matter:View across the Karun river at Ahwaz [Ahvaz]. A small child stands naked on the bank with an older boy, who is kneeling. Various bundles of cloth are strewn on bank around the boys’ feet. In the distant background a herd of animals is being led to water by several men. Behind them a large, long fortified structure extends along the sky line.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: 'Ahwaz'Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘a’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘45’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘Karun River.’, ‘(April 1917)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:70 x 95 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'a'; '43'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject Matter:View in Bahrein (Bahrain), showing two European (probably British) men and one Arab man mounted on donkeys and standing in front of a whitewashed building. The man in the background wears a sash and sits side-saddle on his donkey. At right a group of men stand watching. Another man is partially visible at far left.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Bahrein.’Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘b’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘28’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘(Feb. 1918)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:71 x 95 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'b'; '28'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject Matter:View showing three pack donkeys being fed in Bahrein (Bahrain). Several men stand and squat alongside the donkeys. In the background a semi-ruined structure is visible.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Bahrein.’Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘a’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘27’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘(Feb. 1918)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:70 x 96 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'a'; '27'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject Matter:General view of the sea front in Bahrain, possibly at Manama. The horizon line is punctuated by various built structures before which a variety of dhows and other craft are moored, at anchor or pulled up along the shoreline.A large group of figures can be seen standing alongside a white-washed wall right of the centre of the image.A gravelly area to the left in the foreground indicates that the photograph was taken from land, not from on board ship.Inscriptions:Upper right, in pencil alongside image: 'b', '38'Below image, in pen: 'Bahrein'1 b&w albumen printDimensions:106 x 206 mmFormat:Albumen print on paperCondition:The print is in good condition with staining and light creasing in the sky area in the upper left corner and minor surface dirt throughout.Foliation:‘b’ (crossed out); ‘38’Process:Albumen print
Genre/Subject Matter:View in Bahrein (Bahrain) of the ‘Tombs’, burial mounds dating to the Dilmun, Umm an-Nar and later cultures. The mounds extend into the far distance. At left three men and two donkeys are just visible in the photograph.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Bahrein.’Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘a’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘29’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘The Tombs’, ‘(Feb. 1918)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:70 x 96 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'a'; '29'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject Matter:View in Bahrein (Bahrain) of the ‘Tombs’, burial mounds dating to the Dilmun, Umm an-Nar and later cultures. At right three donkeys are tethered, with a man standing alongside one of them. At centre a man appears to be kneeling, perhaps praying.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Bahrein.’Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘b’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘30’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘The Tombs.’, ‘(Feb. 1918)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:70 x 96 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'b'; '30'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject Matter:View in Bahrein (Bahrain) at the ‘Tombs’, burial mounds dating to the Dilmun, Umm an-Nar and later cultures, showing a partially open portal into one of the mounds. Two men stand at each side of the entrance. The man on the right wears a pith helmet and Western-style suit. The man at left wears a sash and black clothes and is the same figured pictured riding side-saddle on a donkey in the background of Photo 496/6/28.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Bahrein.’Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘a’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘31’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘The Tombs.’, ‘(Feb. 1918)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:96 x 70 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'a'; '31'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject MatterThis view, from an elevated position looking east, is taken from the roof of the British Residency at Bushire (Būshehr).The foreground is occupied by a courtyard, from which several doors and windows appear to lead to different compartments. In the left-most corner of the courtyard a figure can be seen emerging from one of the doors.Beyond the compound, in the middle-ground, there is a green area occupied by trees, including at least one palm.Upon close inspection much architectural detail can be observed, even in the far distance along the horizon. For instance, it is clear that the majority of the structures visible are flat-roofed dwellings with roof terraces protected by fencing, or by high parapets punctuated with latticed sections, allowing air to circulate.InscriptionsLower right, in pencil, alongside image: ‘84’Below image: ‘The Town looking East from British Residency. 23 Feb. 1902’1 photographic printDimensions:109 x 158 mm [landscape]Format:Materials:Condition:The image is slightly faded in the left of the image and ther are some small surface losses in the sky area. An elongated white mark at 50 mm from lower, 30 mm from right probably originates in the printing phase.Foliation:'84'Process:
Genre/Subject Matter:This photograph gives a general view of the settlement at Steamer Point, seen from the neighbouring hillside, with the government coaling station on the foreshore and the peninsula of Little Aden visible on the horizon beyond.The crescent of one to three storey buildings in the middleground was named after H. R. H. the Prince of Wales – according to Frederick Mercer Hunter, ‘in memory of his visit to the settlement in November 1875’ (p. 9). Hunter goes on to describe the facilities and features of this part of the settlement, including two hotels, a police station and the ‘residences of a few consuls’. Along the shoreline just left of the centre of the image, several horse and carriages are visible.To the far right of the image, the landing pier can be seen. Mercer describes this as ‘covered in by a cast-iron shed, with corrugated roof, where six twelve-pounder guns are placed for saluting purposes’. By dating the erection of the shed to 1876, Hunter establishes the likely date of this image as 1876 or later. Two large ships, at least one a three-master, can be seen at anchor. In the centre background of the image a further three-master can be seen beyond the farthest bluff.Inscriptions:In pencil, upper left corner adjacent to print: ‘11’1 albumen printDimensions:167 x 228 mm [landscape]Format:1 albumen print pasted to backing paper and mounted, folded between pp. 98-99Materials:Silver printing-out paper, albumen printCondition:The print is unevenly hand-cut. There is significant toning at all edges, extending inwards. Some spot toning extends even further towards the central fold.A stain 1.5 cm from upper and 2.5 cm from right is likely caused by pencil.Foliation:‘11’Process:Albumen print
Genre/Subject Matter:This landscape view shows ‘the eastern part of valley of Muna (Mina)’ from an elevated position, seven kilometres east of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. Muna (Mina) is a station of the hadj, where pilgrims camp out on the 8th, 11th, 12th (and some on the 13th) of
Dhul-Hijjah, as can be seen in this image.Right of centre, along the horizon, eight arches are set into a pale-coloured building. Otherwise no other permanent structures are evident, however, the rest of the flat plain that takes up the middle ground is dotted with many and varying tents, people, beasts of burden, such as horses, camels and donkeys. Small flocks of sheep or goats are visible in the foreground to the right of centre.A ridge of hills rises along the horizon, with the highest point to the right of centre.Arabic script written directly into the image has been erased subtly, but is visible upon close inspection in the lower left of the image as well as in the central sky area of the image.This is the second of two photographs taken from the same vantage point, which form a panoramic view over the valley. The first is X463/11.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘XI’Temporal Context:According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication
Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 43-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.1 collotype printDimensions:186 x 243 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘XI’Process:Collotype
Genre/Subject Matter:This landscape view shows ‘the western part of valley of Muna (Mina), which extends from west to east, during the annual gathering of pilgrims [the hadj]’ from an elevated position northeast of the Masjid al-Khayf in Muna, seven kilometres east of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca. Muna (Mina) is a station of the hadj, where pilgrims camp out on the 8th, 11th, 12th (and some on the 13th) of
Dhul-Hijjah, as can be seen in this image.See Photo 174/9 for a comparative view from a similar vantage point but with a closer view of the Masjid al-Khayf, which here appears in the left of the background. The structure to the right of the iwan-like entryway, which appears damaged in the latter view, here appears intact. In the far middle ground at right two and three-storey structures can be seen. A ridge of hills rises along the horizon.The middle ground is occupied by tents, while in the foreground there are a wide variety of beasts of burden, such as horses, camels and donkeys, standing, tethered or couched.The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality, particularly in the background, where the original plate may have been over-exposed.Arabic script written directly into the image has been erased subtly, but is visible upon close inspection in the lower right of the image as well as in the central sky area of the image.This is the first of two photographs taken from the same vantage point, which form a panoramic view over the valley. The second is X463/12.Inscriptions:Above image, on the right, in ink: ‘X’Temporal Context:According to Durkje van der Wal in his publication
Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885(Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, pp. 43-51), the photographs in this publication that pertain to the hadj (this image included) likely date to August 1888 since this was the period of the last hadj before February 1889, the date Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje received the final consignment of images.1 collotype printDimensions:185 x 237 mmFormat:Collotype print, pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt and light abrasions throughout.Foliation:‘X’Process:Collotype
Aerial photograph of Hodeida [Al Hudaydah, Yemen]. Photographer unknown. Prepared by naval staff in the Admiralty's Naval Intelligence Division.1 photographMaterials: 1 black and white photograph.Dimensions: 148 x 191mm, on sheet 202 x 328mm.
Genre/Subject MatterView in the ruins of Babylon (near Al Hillah), showing large crumbling sections of stone and walls in the fore- and middle-ground.InscriptionsInk, below image: 'Excavations in Babylon'Pencil, above image at right: ‘47’;’25’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:154 x 188 mmCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt throughout.Foliation:‘47’
Genre/Subject Matter:This street view outside the ‘Hamidiyah’, a two-storey building, described in the title as a government building constructed by Governor General Othman Pascha (cf. 1781.b.6/6; 1781.b.6/8), features many individuals in the foreground as well as a further multi-storeyed building on the right of the image. Awnings at the ground-floor level of the building on the right indicate that these may have been storefronts.The subject of this photograph is probably the same building identified in the drawing of a view inside the Masjid al-Haram (1781.b.6/2) as ‘front-side of the Hamidiyah’, indicating that the building – and therefore the viewpoint in this photograph – was probably situated south of the mosque.The style of the building is neo-classical with domed arches at the main portico as well as long square-shuttered windows on both floors. It was likely constructed during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II (1876–1909) and was therefore relatively new at the time that this photograph was taken. To each side of the main entrance are iron railings and two gas-lamps.The negative has had hand-work applied, creating a drawing-like quality.Inscriptions:Printed above image, in ink:IVPrinted beneath image, in ink:‘Die H̱amīdijjah (von Othman Pascha erbautes Regierungsgebäude).’A circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower right corner.1 photographic print
Genre/Subject Matter:This photograph shows an urban topographical scene in the capital of Lahej, about 30 miles (45 km) from Aden, which is referred to here as Al-Hautah (also: al Hota, al Hawtah) but is probably the town known today as Lahej/Lahij.Despite being surrounded by desert ‘to within three or four miles’ of the town, in this volume Frederick Mercer Hunter describes the town itself as being surrounded by cultivation, in particular of ‘red and white jowarî, sesame, vegetables, grass, and a little cotton’ as well as ‘date-palms, and badâm or wild almond trees’ (p. 155). So fertile was the landscape around the town, that the British bought some land near it in order to grow vegetables for the garrison at Aden (p. 68).As recently as 1872–73, the Ottoman Turks had made their presence felt in Lahej: according to Hunter, the eldest brother of the Sultan, Abdullah bin Mohsin, had ‘intrigued with the Turks, and invited them to occupy their fortified house at Al-Hautah’. In response, the Government of India decided to occupy the Lahej territory to ‘support the Lahej Sultan’. The stand-off lasted until the end of the year, when the Ottoman troops withdrew. The fortified house in question is the structure visible in the background on the left of the image.An excavated area and tumble-down walls take up most of the foreground, while a number of several-storeyed, crenellated structures occupy the horizon behind low-brick-walled enclosures. In the right lower corner of the image bricks can be seen stacked in a sequence of chevrons alongside some flat slabs, forming a rectangular paved area.In the middle-ground, toward the left of the image in the right foreground, are a donkey and five laden camels. Two figures stand on raised ground alongside the camel furthest to the right; the figure on the right appears to be wearing white, European-style clothing.1 albumen printDimensions:170 x 231 mm [portrait]Format:1 albumen print pasted to backing paper and mounted, folded, between pp. 166–167Materials:Silver printing-out paper, albumen printCondition:The print is unevenly hand-cut. There is significant toning at all edges, extending inwards towards the central fold. Some tracing marks are evident along the left-hand and lower edge.Some dark spot staining originating in the printing phase are evident throughout.Foliation:No folio number noted. [15]Process:Albumen print
Genre/Subject MatterView of the shoreline at Koweit [Kuwait]. At right, Lord Curzon and his staff are being carried ashore by Arab men from a small boat at far right.The Shaikh of Kuwait or his retainer stands at left alongside a horse waiting for the Europeans to come ashore. In the distant background, left of centre, a boat – probably a dhow – is moored.InscriptionsInk, below image: 'Landing at Koweit.'Pencil, lower right, alongside image: ‘22’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:139 x 203 mmCondition:The print is in good condition, though the mounting paper is heavily foxed and crumbling.Foliation:‘22’Process:Silver gelatin
An aerial photograph taken during a flight by the Royal Air Force from Gilgit to Risalpur on 8 November 1934 at 11:30 at approximately 13,200 feet. This photograph shows three RAF Hart aircraft flying south of Chilas; the tip of one of the imaging aircraft's wings is visible in the foreground.The photograph was taken by a technical camera; the following gauges are visible on the photographic print: an altitude meter indicating the height of the aircraft, spirit levels showing the pitch of the aircraft, a counter indicating the number of exposures taken, and a watch indicating the time the photograph was shot.On the reverse of the print is a stamp reading ‘ROYAL AIR FORCE CROWN COPYRIGHT RESERVED’, No. 2 Indian Wing Station, dated 22 January 1935.See folios 131-141 for particulars on the flight in question.1 photographDimensions: 218 x 84mm
One photographic print: a full-length portrait of Sartip (a Persian military rank equivalent to Brigadier General) Muhammed Hossein Khán. The title is printed above the photograph in Persian, and below the photograph in English. The Persian title also bears a date: Hijri year 1301 (c.1883).1 photographic printDimensions: 170 x 99 mm, on page 237 x 150 mm.Materials: Photographic print on paper.
One photographic print: a full-length portrait of Sarhang (a rank equivalent to Colonel) Hajji Ibrahim Khán, Commandant of the Bakhtiari Horse. The title is printed above the photograph in Persian, and below the photograph in English. The Persian title also bears a date: Hijri year 1301 (c.1883).1 photographic printDimensions: 127 x 84 mm, on page 237 x 150 mm.Materials: Photographic print on paper.
Aerial photograph of the Kuh-i-Gugird [Kūh-e Gūgerd] taken from an aircraft, showing a barren, mountainous landscape.1 black and white photographDimensions: 104 x 124mm.
Genre/Subject Matter:View showing R.I.M.S.
Hardinge(at centre) accompanying ships of the Royal East Indian squadron on Lord Curzon's tour of the Persian Gulf in November 1903. At least seven craft – some steamers and at least one sailing boat – are visible along the horizon line. The precise location is unidentified.Inscriptions:Ink, below image: 'R.I.M.S. Hardinge accompanying Ships of the Royal East Indian Squadron.'1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:140 x 200 mmCondition:The print is in good condition, though the mounting paper is heavily foxed and crumbling.Foliation:‘2’Process:Silver gelatin
Genre/Subject MatterView of the steamer Khalifa [sic for Khalifah] anchored at Ctesiphon. A number of figures stand on deck as well as on shore to the right of the image.InscriptionsInk, below image: 'The Khalifa, halted at Ctesiphon'Pencil, above image at right: ‘48’;’26’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:156 x 190 mmCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt throughout.Foliation:‘48’
Genre/Subject Matter:This scene, captured at Aldershot during an official visit of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, Āl Sa‘īd, Sa‘īd ibn Taymūr, to Britain, shows the Sultan (right of image, looking towards the tank) and two of his men: ‘Abd al-Munim bin Yusuf al-Zawauri, Secretary to the Sultan and Hilal bin Badr, aide-de-camp (ADC) to the Sultan (directly behind the Sultan at right).The tank that takes up most of the image is most likely a Vickers Medium tank Mark II, with the rear opening facing the photographer. Various markings on the rear of the tank and an externally projecting plate read: ‘2R Tanks’; ‘T’; ‘46’; ‘A’; ‘ME 9924’.At least two film cameras are being operated in the background: immediately behind the tank and at right behind the group of men accompanying the Sultan.Inscriptions:Verso:Ink: ‘Photo 112/1’Ink stamp, blue: ‘This photograph must not be reproduced in any form without our official permit.’Typescript on paper label: ‘The Sultan of Muscat and Oman visits Aldershot and witnesses a tank demonstration from Miles Hill. 565001. The Sultan interested in the tanks after the demonstration. S. &. G. 1/4/38. G.B.’Pencil: ‘The two Omanis in the photograph are: ‘Abd al Munim bin Yusuf al-Zawauri, Secretary to the Sultan (the tall one) and ‘Hilal bin Badr’, ADC to Sultan’Ink stamp, blue: ‘Sport & General Press Agency. Limited. London.’1 loose b&w photographic printDimensions:207 x 254 mmCondition:The print is in good condition, with slight creases in sky area.Foliation:‘1’Process:Silver gelatin
Genre/Subject Matter:Full-length standing studio portrait of two men, with Sa'id Taimur Bin Faisal (1886–1965; r. 1913–1932) on the right. At the time this portrait was taken he was son of the ruling monarch Sayyid Faisal bin Turki (1864–1913; r. 1888–1913), who is mentioned in the title of the portrait. The man on the left is presumably a retainer of Bin Faisal.The two men stand on a richly patterned carpet, which features an ornate central medallion; Farsi/Persian text is integrated into the design of the medallion. A painted studio backdrop two cusped arches is visible behind the men. An upholstered wooden chair and wooden carved table are used as props at left and right respectively.A letterpress caption page preceding the print reads:‘Saiyid Timur Bin Fasl, son of His Highness the Sultan of Muskat’Temporal context:This portrait was most likely taken during the Delhi Durbar of 1903 to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.Inscriptions:In pencil, at right alongside image and upper right corner: ‘120’; ‘188’1 b&w albumen printDimensions:280 x 227 mmCondition:The image is lightly creased. Light surface dirt throughout. Surface losses have been crudely inked in.Foliation:'120'Process:Albumen
Aerial photograph of an emergency landing ground in Shihair [Ash Shihr, Yemen]. Photographer unknown. Prepared by naval staff in the Admiralty's Naval Intelligence Division.1 photographMaterials: 1 black and white photograph.Dimensions: 101 x 149mm, on sheet 328 x 202mm.
Two black and white photographs with their subjects identified in writing below each one. The first depicts Shaikh Ahmad as-Salf of Hafit [Jabal Hafeet] of the Na’im tribe in front of a tent, while the second shows Shaikh Obaid bin Juma’ of the Beni Ka’ab tribe standing next to an unnamed companion.2 b&w photographsDimensions (each photo):79mm x 130mm
View of a room where a signing ceremony is taking place. Inscription in pencil on back of photograph. 'Sh. Ah (Shia affairs Qadhi) about to sign as witness'. Initialled and dated '24/3'1 photograph60 mm x 60 mm
Two black and white photographs with their subjects identified in writing below each one. The first depicts Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr of Buraimi (of the Na’im tribe) standing in front of a wall, while the second shows Shaikh Mohamed bin Rahmah bin Salman of Sumaini (of the Al Bu Shams tribe) and Mudhaffar, the Wali of Sohar.2 b&w photographsDimensions (each photo):79mm x 130mm
Two black and white photographs with their subjects identified in writing below each one. The first shows Shaikh Mohammed bin Sultan of Dhank (of the Na'im tribe) standing alone in front of a stone building and some
barastifencing. The second shows Sultan ad-Damaki of Gatarah [?] (of the Dhuwahir tribe) and Shaikh Ibrahim bin Uthman, the Wali of Abu Dhabi standing together in front of a tree. Two unidentified figures, a young boy and an old man, are shown standing next to Shaikh Ibrahim bin Uthman.2 b&w photosDimensions (each photo):79mm x 130mm
Genre/Subject MatterView in the desert in Koweit [Kuwait], showing the Shaikh of Koweit on horseback. A man stands alongside the horse. Both are wearing vertically striped robes and wear long swords at their waists. In the background at right another man carries a flag atop a staff and also wears a sword at his waist.InscriptionsInk, below image: 'The Shaikh waiting, Koweit.'Pencil, lower right, alongside image: ‘21’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:139 x 203 mmCondition:The print is in good condition, though the mounting paper is heavily foxed and crumbling.Foliation:‘21’Process:Silver gelatin
View of Akaba, Transjordan [Aqaba, Jordan] from the sea. Photographer unknown. Prepared by naval staff in the Admiralty's Naval Intelligence Division.1 photographMaterials: 1 black and white photograph.Dimensions: 98 x 149mm, on sheet 328 x 202mm.
Genre/Subject Matter:View of Kurna (al-Qurnah), located at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates. As the caption notes, according to folklore this was the site of the Garden of Eden. A fortified wall, several sailing boats and palms run along the shoreline in the background from left to right.Inscriptions:Ink, below image: 'Kurna, – the reputed Garden of Eden.'Pencil, above image, at right: ‘30’;‘8’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:144 x 190 mmCondition:The print is in good condition throughout with minor toning/fading at all edgesFoliation:‘30’
Genre/Subject Matter:View of the Old Portuguese Fort or Qal'at al-Bahrain, location of the ancient capital of the Dilmun civilization. The fortified structure along the horizon is at the top of a tel.In the middle-ground, immediately in front of the fort, a large number reed or palm frond structures as well as several crumbling stone-built structures can be seen. Figures and animals are visible amongst the structures.A stony plain makes up the foreground where some figures are blurred. Along the upper walls of the structure along the horizon to the left a number of figures stand.Inscriptions:Upper right, in pencil alongside image: 'c', '39'Below image, in pen: 'Old Portuguese Fort, Bahrein'1 b&w albumen printDimensions:127 x 208 mmFormat:Albumen print on paperCondition:The print is in good condition with staining and light creasing in the sky area in the upper left and right corners and minor surface dirt throughout. Inscriptions on the verso are faintly visible on the recto.Foliation:‘c’ (crossed out); ‘39’Process:Albumen print
Genre/Subject Matter:View of the British Consulate and the offices of Messrs Lynch at Basra from across the river. In the foreground a boat carries a group of people from left to right. In the background several boats are loaded with merchandise which is covered by tarpaulin. On shore, even more merchandise is piled high in mounds and covered in tarpaulin to the left of the image.A flagstaff right of centre in the background indicates the location of the Consulate.Inscriptions:Ink, below image: 'The British Consultate and Messrs Lynch's offices Basra; Showing 4000 tons of merchandise awaiting shipment to Bagdad.'1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:127 x 193 mmCondition:The print is in good condition throughout.Foliation:‘25’
Genre/Subject MatterView in the ruins of Babylon (near Al Hillah) showing large crumbling sections of stone and walls in the fore- and middle-ground. The stone arch referred to in the title stands in the foreground.InscriptionsInk, below image: 'Excavations in Babylon'1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:138 x 188 mmCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt throughout.Foliation:‘47’
Genre/Subject Matter:This west-southwest view inside the Masjid al-Haram of the Caaba and, behind it, the sacred mountain Jebel Abu Qubays (1220 ft / 460 m), which overlooks the Masjid al-Haram to the east. At the summit stands a squat, apparently unfinished structure which later became the Bilal mosque, according to later photographs, for example Photo 174/5 (
c.1907).The buildings that line the foothills of Abu Qubays, feature distinctive Ottoman-era architectural features, such as a
roshan(known elsewhere as mashrabiyya, or enclosed balcony), which are almost unchanged almost twenty years later in the same view by the Delhi-based photographers H. A. Mirza & Sons (Photo 174/5).Inscriptions:Printed above image, in ink:IIIPrinted beneath image, in ink:‘Die Ka’bah.’A circular 'British Museum' blind stamp is located in the lower right corner.Temporal Context:This photograph was likely taken by the Egyptian photographer, army engineer and surveyor Muhammad S̱ādiq Bey (1832-1902). The attribution is claimed by Durkje van der Wal in his publication
Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje: The First Western Photographer in Mecca, 1884-1885, Amsterdam : Manfred & Hanna Heiting Fund, Rijksmuseum, 2011, p. 40. As such the picture is likely to date to his 1881 visit to the city. How Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje acquired the image is unknown.1 photographic printDimensions:169 x 210 mmFormat:1 photographic print pasted into volumeCondition:The print is in good condition with one minor surface loss in the lower portion of the image.Foliation:‘III’
Genre/Subject Matter:View of Kut. Several sailing boats are moored along the shoreline, where low-lying buildings and a minaret are visible.Inscriptions:Ink, below image: 'Kut.'1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:134 x 188 mmCondition:The print is in good condition with minor surface dirt throughout.Foliation:‘32’
Genre/Subject Matter:View of an urban area of Koweit [Kuwait], with a group of men seated and standing on the left. In the background stone buildings give way to reed-mat covered awnings, especially at right.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Koweit.’Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘a’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘37’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘(Feb. 1918)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:70 x 95 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'b'; '36'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject Matter:View in Koweit [Kuwait]. One man stands at centre while to his left another sits on the step in front of a decorated archway. A third man stands in the right background against a whitewashed wall.All three men wear dark outer robes, keffiyehs and agals.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Koweit.’Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘b’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘38’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘(Feb. 1918)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:95 x 70 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'b'; '36'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject Matter:View taken off Koweit [Kuwait], probably from on board ship, showing cargo boats under sail.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Koweit.’Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘b’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘34’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘Cargo Boats.’ ‘(Feb. 1918)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:70 x 96 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'b'; '34'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject Matter:View in Koweit [Kuwait] outside the customs house, which is presumably the low-lying structure on the right of the photograph. A large crowd of men are gathered at the entrance, while others appear to be walking towards the building. On the right, a boy looks directly towards the camera. In the left background the masts of boats anchored in the harbour can be seen.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Koweit.’Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘a’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘35’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘Customs House.’ ‘(Feb. 1918)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:70 x 96 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'b'; '34'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject Matter:View in Koweit [Kuwait] outside a coffee shop. A number of men and boys sit on benches outside the building, looking towards the camera. Woven reed blinds are rolled above two pointed arches along the façade.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Koweit.’Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘b’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘36’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘Coffee Shop.’ ‘(Feb. 1918)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:70 x 95 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'b'; '36'Process:Silver gelatin print
A black and white photograph of Charles Belgrave and the French Naval Officer, Contre Amiral Rivet taken when the French Sloop
Bougainvillevisited Bahrain on 14-16 February 1935.1 photoDimensions: 57mm x 81mm
Genre/Subject Matter:Group portrait photograph taken on board ship in November 1903, during Lord and Lady Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf. Lord George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston (1859-1925) and Lady Mary Victoria Curzon (1870-1906) sit at centre and immediately right of centre in rattan deck chairs, while their staff and crew of thirteen men and one woman stand and sit around them.Other figures portrayed include: Brigadier-General Everard Baring (1865-1932), Military Secretary to the Viceroy of India 1899-1905; Major Arthur Vernon Poynter (b. 1872-1955); Clive Wigram, 1st Baron Wigram (1873-1960), Aide-de-Camp to the Viceroy of India 1899-1904.Inscriptions:Ink, below image: 'Lord and Lady Curzon and Staff on the Tour.'1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:205 x 290 mmCondition:The print is in good condition, though the mounting paper is heavily foxed and crumbling.Foliation:‘1’Process:Silver gelatin
Genre/Subject Matter:Street scene in Muscat in November 1903. Lord Curzon, in left foreground, wearing a pith helmet, walks to the Address Hall to make an official address. In the background, a banner reads ‘Welcome’. Gas lamps and flags, including a Union flag, are visible at left, while at right palm fronds line the way. A European group appears to be forming a procession behind Lord Curzon, while several Arab or Indian soldiers wearing turbans are visible, albeit out of focus, in the foreground at right.The text of the speeches made by Mr Parshotam Dhanji and Lord Curzon can be read in: John Gordon Lorimer, ‘Appendix P: Cruise of His Excellency Lord Curzon, Viceroy and Governor-General of India, in the Persian Gulf’ in
Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, 'Omān, and Central Arabia, Vol. I Historical Part II, (Calcutta: Superintendent Government Printing, India, 1915), pp. 2628-2630Inscriptions:Ink, below image: 'Lord Curzon going to Address Hall, Maskat.'1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:104 x 148 mmCondition:The print is in good condition, though the mounting paper is heavily foxed and crumbling.Foliation:‘6’Process:Silver gelatin
Genre/Subject Matter:View in Mohammerah [Khorramshahr]. A narrow creek at the left of the photograph is one of the many small waterways that lead towards the Shatt El-Arab.In the centre background stands a two-storey house with two large mashrabiyya and a roof-terrace. In front of the house a small bridge crosses the creek from a pathway that extends from the right foreground to the background alongside a high brick wall. Several women walk away from the camera along this path, carrying earthenware jugs and other bundles.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Mohammerah’Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘b’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘40’Lower right, below image, in pen: (May. 1917)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:70 x 92 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'b'; '40'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject Matter:This scene shows a creek at Mohammerah (Khorramshahr), which is located at the mouth of the Karun River on the Shatt-el-Arab delta.Two-storeyed buildings and trees line the creek on the left. The buildings at centre of the image have arcades on the lower floor and
rawashin(known elsewhere as
mashrabiyya, or enclosed balcony) project over the creek from the upper floors. The adjacent building also has two
rawashin.Immediately right of centre a pedestrian bridge crosses the creek. The right side of the creek is lined by a stony bank and, at centre right of the image, a built structure which meets the bridge.Damage, printing error or a light leak has caused a band, most discernible at the bottom of the image to appear under-exposed in the print. Graphite appears to have been applied to the print over this area.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Mohammerah’Upper left, above image, in pencil: ‘a’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘33’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘(March 1918)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:96 x 71 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'a'; '33'
Genre/Subject Matter:This maritime scene shows boats at the port city of Mohammerah (Khorramshahr) at the mouth of the Karun River on the Shatt-el-Arab delta.At the centre of the image two masts indicate that a dhow is moored, however, at least five smaller crafts are visible from the centre to the right of the image. These appear to be row boats designed for smaller cargos of people or goods, possibly of the type
kitr(or
kitar),
hūrīor
shāḥūf.Due to the darkening of the photograph and underexposure of the parts of the image in shadow, however, many figures can be discerned in and around the boats from centre to immediately left of centre.Along the horizon a settlement is located on the other side of the body of water visible in the foreground and background. A large dhow can be seen moored on the horizon at right of the image.Damage, printing error or a light leak has caused a band, most discernible in the centre of the left of the image to appear under-exposed in the print. Graphite appears to have been applied to the print over this area.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Mohammerah’Upper left, above image, in pencil: ‘b’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘32’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘(March. 1918)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:71 x 95 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'b'; '32'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject Matter:This scene shows a stream or irrigation channel, a palm grove and several Arab men at Mohammerah (Khorramshahr), which is located at the mouth of the Karun River on the Shatt-el-Arab delta.The stream extends from lower left to centre left of the image: it may be a man-made irrigation channel supplying water to the palm grove. A man on stands facing the camera, right of centre in the foreground, alongside the stream. He wears a keffiyeh and dark-coloured
agalon his head, a pale-coloured robe and dark outer robe. His feet are bare. In his hands he holds what appears to be a string of prayer beads, a ring on the little finger of his left hand shines brightly.In the background, behind and the left of the man, a group of other figures can be seen.Damage, printing error or a light leak has caused a slight band, most discernible in the centre of the left of the image to appear under-exposed in the print.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Mohammerah’Upper left, above image, in pencil: ‘b’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘34’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘(March. 1918)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:71 x 96 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'b'; '34'Process:Silver gelatin print
Genre/Subject Matter:View in Mohammerah [Khorramshahr] looking towards the Shatt-El-Arab. In the foreground an apparently unoccupied dugout canoe floats in front of a spit of land. A crumbling stone wall and a few palms obscure the view at right; on the left another dugout can be seen in the background, carrying a large number of people. In the distant background the opposite bank of the river can be seen.Inscriptions:Lower left, below image, in pen: ‘Mohammerah’Upper left, above image, in pencil, crossed-out: ‘a’Lower right, alongside image, in pencil: ‘41’Lower right, below image, in pen: ‘Shatt-El-Arab’, (May. 1917)’1 b&w silver gelatin printDimensions:70 x 92 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:'a'; '41'Process:Silver gelatin print