MALAYA.
Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington
"Straits Times" Pictures: 1948. First edition of this photobook extolling the salubriousness and serenity of Malaya amidst the outbreak of the Emergency. Founded in 1845, the Straits Times remained staunchly pro-British in the postwar period.As the preface notes, "in our foreword to 'Straits Times Pictures' last year we were able to describe Malaya as 'one of the last islands of peace and stability amid the storm seas of post-war Asia'. Unhappily Malaya has been caught up in the storm herself this year. Evil things are being done in this fair land, but these are the acts of an infinitesimal minority" (p. i). The pictures tell a story of thriving economic development, bucolic rural areas, and happy citizens.
Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.