DICKSON, Harold Richard Patrick.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

The Arab of the Desert. A Glimpse into Badawin Life in Kuwait and Sau'di Arabia. Second edition, inscribed by the author on the title page, "'Happy Birthday' from H. R. P. Dickson. 23.2.56." First published in 1949, The Arab of the Desert was described by Freya Stark as "indispensable to all who wish to travel or live with some knowledge in the region". Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Dickson (1881-1959) was raised in Damascus, where his father was the British consul. A British political agent in Bahrain (1919-20) and Kuwait (1929-36), he subsequently worked for the Kuwait Oil Company. In the opinion of Harry St John Philby, "a book would be needed to do full justice to the contents of this immense and valuable labour of love, which is admirably illustrated by some excellent photographs and many first-class drawings and coloured plates. These, with the plans, sketches and maps in the cover pocket, will repay careful study" (p. 233). Violet Dickson (1896-1991) contributed research on flora and fauna.Four of the maps are bound before the index as issued, rather than loose in the end band as seen in other copies we have handled. The table of contents calls for a three-sheet "Sketch Map showing Motor Road from Riyadh to Kuwait". This appears to have been included with only a subset of copies, perhaps those from a first issue, and is absent here.

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.