Husayni, Dr Muhammad Al.

85 silver prints (each approximately 80 x 140mm.; or the reverse), including duplicates of 4 photographs (nos.11, 13, 52 and 80), each numbered and captioned in Arabic in pencil on the reverse, 55 of the photographs with typed or small printed captions in French (50 on the image and 5 on the reverse), preserved together with a brown envelope, within acid free wallets in an archival case

Rif'at Pasha, Ibrahim. Mir'at al-Haramayn. Cairo, 1925, 2 volumes

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."

These rare photographs present a narrative covering the whole journey of the pilgrim, whilst focusing on the holy places of Makkah and Al-Madinah, together with the ports and legation. Dr Muhammad al Husayni was a Muslim photographer who did not need permission to enter Makkah. A biographical note in Rif'at Pasha's book Mir'at al-Haramayn (vol.1, p.22) states that Husayni was born around 1863 in the city of Allahabad (India) where he studied not only the Qur'an, but also several foreign languages, including Persian and English, the latter of which he mastered. Rif'at tells us that Husayni graduated in medicine and surgery at the University of the Punjab in 1890, after which he ran several hospitals before becoming Assistant to the British Consul in Jeddah. The number of pilgrims from India to Arabia was considerable; it is estimated that 13,397 Indians passed through the port of Jeddah in 1908, representing about 20% of the total identified by the quarantine doctor. Husayni's success as a doctor and reputation enabled him to travel several times to Europe and Africa, including a year spent in Egypt. After his resignation in 1911 Husayni retired to his hometown of Allahabad. It is known that the Egyptian photographer Muhammad Ali' Effendi Sa'oudi met Husayni in Jeddah in December 1907.

The photographs show pilgrims on board boats, various ships, arriving at the port of Jeddah, buildings in Jeddah, the route between Jeddah and Makkah, the valley of Mina, Makkah, the Ka'bah and Arafat, the Mahmal and dignitaries accompanying the pilgrimage, including the Egyptian Amir El-Hajj, the Ottoman Governor of Jeddah, the Governor of the Hijaz, the representative of the sharif of Makkah and their guards.