Arabie

34 pages. Plus photographic plates and a large fold-out colour map, measuring approximately 16 x 21 inches (40 x 53cm). Original condition with blue wrappers, titles to front, and containing all the ads. This is a complete issue, seldom found in such good and original condition. This is a fascinating expedition report on the author's explorations in Arabia, which Predate his All-Important Book - Arabia Felix; Across the Empty Quarter of Arabia, published in 1931. Accompanied by a vivid and descriptive map, this narrative is an outstanding early report into the harsh savage regions of Arabia. Thomas undertook the exploration of the magnificent Rub' Al Khali in three journeys. The first camel journey of 600 miles through the south-eastern borderlands was made in the winter of 1927-1928, the second, travelling nortwards 200 miles from the central south to the edge of the sands, were undertaken under his own initiative, a part of his plan to explore the unkown south and also as a preliminary reconnaissance for a final desert crossing. The realization of that journey is the subject of this report. In order to make the journeys, Thomas grew a beard, donned Arab clothing, and lived as one of the Badus themselves. On completion of his second journey he entered into a secret arrangement, sealed with only 20 Pounds Sterling, with a member of his party, an influential member of the Rashid tribe, to bring him in the following winter, by caravan to a point in the desert where occasionally Murra tribesmen would come from the north, and that from there he would make his way by being passed from tribe to tribe! The author's captivating story of his third and successful pioneering exploration, includes notes on the tribes, geography, and extensive appendices on the natural history collections. The writer of this book was one of the most talented of the younger political officers in Mesopotamia during and after the War, and served in a similar capacity in Trans-Jordan, before being selected to fill the responsible post of Financial Advisor and Wazir to His Highness the Sultan of Muscat and Oman. He showed courage and resource in circumstances of much difficulty and great danger during and after the war in Mesopotamia. He performed two remarkable journeys over territory hitherto completely unknown. The first was along the Southeastern Borderlands of the Rub 'al Khali from near Ras al Had to Dhufar, the second from Dhufar for a distance of some two hundred miles inland. The two journeys, taken together, constitute the most important and most extensive piece of geographical exploration undertaken in any part of the world since the War.