108 - Philby, Harry St. John Bridger and A.L. Holt, and others.

c.205 silver prints (each approximately 80 x 140mm.; or the reverse), a very few captioned in pencil on the reverse, together with nearly all their original negatives, and additional negatives without prints?, the photographs and some negatives in a modern folder, the remaining negatives in three original negative folders, folders slightly worn
Proposed Baghdad Amman Air Route Trans-Desert Motor Highway. Distance 607 miles. December 1921, large folding map (193 x 74mm.), backed on linen, 2 copies, some tears to folds
The Baghdad Times. Friday November 11, 1921, with a news article (on p.2) announcing the award of the MacGregor memorial medal to Major A.L. Holt for his reconnaissance work over 1,700 miles with a view to determining the alignment of a railway from Hit to Palestine (with another copy lacking pp.3-4)
Field, Henry. Sulle caratteristiche geografiche dell'Arabia settentrionale. Rome: Società Geografica Italiana, 1934, first separate italian edition, 8vo, presentation copy, signed by the author, photographic illustrations, original printed wrappers, some wear
"Iraq Railways: Capital Works for Consideration" [c.1934-c.1936], draft typescript annotated in pencil and ink, fair copy typescript of the same and carbon copy and related material (16pp. and a few loose notes)

Philby, H.St.J.B., Jauf and the North Arabian Desert; Holt, A.L., The Future of the North Arabian Desert; The Geographical Journal, vol.LXII, no.4, October 1923, pp.241-271; El Hage, B. Saudi Arabia Caught in Time 1861-1939, (Reading, 1997), pp.99-103

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In 1922 Major Holt travelled with Philby and others some 600 miles across North Arabia, from the Trans-Jordan to Mesopotamia, in a number of specially fitted Ford motor cars as far as Kaf, near Wadi Sirhan and from there by camel with an escort for the rest of the journey. Holt was a Royal Engineer who was conducting a survey to find a route for a Trans-Arabian railway, while Philby's main objective was to investigate the political situation at Jauf. The photographs show people and places in Amman and the amphitheatre, Qasr Amij, Wadi Amij, camels, a plane crash, Qasr Al Khubbaz, Qasr Amej, Wadi Hauran, Sulubi camp, Sulubi men and women, a group of the modified Ford motor cars at Qasr Khubbaz, Qasr Zraq, Qasr Hallabat, "Yamuk" waterfalls, Amman, views in Jauf, shots of aeroplanes, cars and various groups of people.