Harry St. John Philby – Arabian Jubilee – First Edition 1952

A first edition of the biography of King Ibn Saud, the founder of modern-day Saudi Arabia, by the British explorer and writer Harry St John Philby, with the very scarce original jacket.

Philby had become a confidant and adviser to Ibn Saud since the 1930s, and had written several other important works on the Arabian Peninsula including The Empty Quarter (1933).

This profile was written several years before Ibn Saud’s death in 1953, and celebrates the achievements of his rule since the start of his reign in 1932.

Include 16 full-page B&W photographs depicting various people and places, including the King, key figures, buildings and landmarks in the country. With a map of Arabia.

Hardback, bound in black cloth with title lettering on spine. Original light-green jacket, not price-clipped, showing a portrait of Ibn Saud to the front. In fair condition with various chips, closed tears and loss to edges, plus pen annotation to price on front flap. Published in 1952 by Robert Hale in London. 280 pages.