HURGRONJE, Christian Snouck (1857-1936) - Mekka. The Hague: [s.e.], 1888-1889. A good copy of an important work by a key figure in the early history of photography of Mecca and one of the first non-Arab photographers of the Hijaz. A respected Dutch orientalist, Hurgronje spent 1884-5 in Arabia, and published the result of his travels in Mekka and the accompanying atlas of photographs Bilder-Atlas zu Mekka in 1888-1889. Compiled on the eve of Western modernisation of Arabia, this important work is the largest single illustrated monograph on Mecca of its time. The first volume contains an historical survey of Mecca, the second describes the daily life of the inhabitants, based for the most part on the notes compiled by Snouck Hurgronje's Muslim informant from the East Indies, Abu Bakar. The plates are amongst the earliest published photographs illustrating Mecca and pilgrims from all parts of the Islamic world. The photographs were taken by Al-Sayyid Abd al-Ghaffar, a doctor in Mecca who was taught photography by Snouck Hurgronje in 1885. Folio and 8vo. (245 x 163mm; 365 x 273mm). Text with half-titles, 2 folding plans, errata leaf at end of volume 1, modern black cloth (few leaves on modern guards, few occasional light small stains); atlas with printed contents leaf and 40 plates, comprising 65 mounted photographs on 30 leaves, 6 tinted lithographs, one double-page, and 4 chromolithographs, loose as issued in modern black cloth portfolio and preserving original cover (some plates with light foxing, contents leaf with tiny clean tear, few plates with small marginal repairs). The lot is accompanied by an export license.

Estimate € 7,000 - 10,000

Sold € 14,500