Oman--Royal Geographical Journal

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."

This important group of maps includes three by Bertram Thomas, a British civil servant, who, while serving as Finance Minister to the Sultan of Oman, was the first European to cross the Empty Quarter, a matter of months before Philby completed his crossing. Other maps are by Stiffe (1897), Miles (1910), and Cox (1925). See lot 139 for maps by Thesiger and also lot 140, for a map of Oman by Wellsted.

The collection consists of:

1. Thomas, Bertram. Arabia. Route Traverse across the Rub' al Khali from Dhufar to Doha ... 1930-1931; 1931; 420 x 550 mm., in A Journey into Rub' al Khali - the Southern Arabian Desert; extracted from The Geographical Journey 1931, map folding in pocket at end 

This was one of two exploratory journeys carried out in preparation for his eventual Crossing of the Empty Quarter from South (Salala) north to Doha, the capital of Qatar.  This particular journey takes him from Salala on the Indian Ocean into the south eastern sands west of the mountains of Oman, to Mugshin.  In 1945, Wilfred Thesiger also makes his first exploratory journey in his preparation for his travels in the Sands, using his work for the Anti-Locust Unit as a reason to visit Mugshin (leaving from Salala) in search of locusts.

2. Thomas, Bertram, Part of South East Arabia from a route traverse ... 1928; 1929; with an inset of the Arabian peninsula, 380 x 335 mm. (loose map)

This journey takes him along the southern coast of Oman from Salala to Suwaith, which is just  short of Ras al Hadd.

 3. Thomas, Bertram, Part of Central  South Arabia from a route traverse ... 1930; 1931; with an inset of the Sands and Tribes, 380 x 335 mm. (loose map

This is the first crossing of the Sands

4.  Miles, Samuel Barrett. Arabia Map of Oman from route traverses and other information .... 395 x 325 mm., bound in: Miles, On the border of the Great Desert: A Journey in Oman ..., extracted from The Geographical Journal, 1910; two parts bound together; folding lithographed map bound in pocket at end, two leaves of photographs (bound in modern blue wrappers).

5. Cox, Percy. Sketch Maps to illustrate the paper on "Some Excursions in Oman", printed colour, 215 x 375 mm. bound in: The Geographical Journal for September 1925, to illustrate Cox, 'Some Excursions in Oman';, the article also containing two leaves of photographs (original printed paper wrappers)

6. Stiffe, Arthur W. Maskat and Matra in Oman, Arabia, 1897, 190 x 430 to accompany "Ancient Trading Centres of the Persian Gulf"  bound in The Geographical Journey for December 1897;, the article also illustrated with map of Persia and two full-page sketches of 'Maskat' from the harbour. and three smaller illustrations (original printed paper wrappers)

This includes a rare coastal image showing Muttrah, still with it’s famous and unique Souk and Muscat (old town) with it’s anchorage described by Ptolomy as “Hidden Harbour”(Kryptos limen), so apt a description that no one doubts it is correct.  Until very recently, around the mid-1950 the common and convenient route between Muttrah and Muscat was by boat; the rough track up and over the intervening mountain, only then became a road to Muscat old town as it is now known.

7. Cheesman. OQair and Jabris Oasis in Eastern Nejid from surveys by Major R E Cheesman 1923-24 470 x 505mm. (loose map)

together 4 bound items and 3 loose maps