PALESTINE, THREE WHITE PAPERS

i. Correspondence between Sir Henry McMahon... and the Sherif Hussein of Mecca July 1915-March 1916 [with a map]. London: HMSO, 1939; ii. Report of a Committee set up to consider certain correspondence between Sir Henry McMahon ... and the Sharif of Mecca in 1915 and 1916. London: HMSO, 1939; iii. Statements made… during the year 1918 in regard to the future status of certain parts of the ottoman Empire. London: HMSO, 1939; TOGETHER 3 PAPERS, 8vo (244 x 153mm.), original wrappers (3)

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."

The first of these papers is the correspondence between Sir Henry McMahon and Hussein ibn Ali during 1915 and 1916, concerning future independence for those Arab countries that gave assistance to the Allied Powers against Turkey in the First World War. Palestine’s inclusion or exclusion from these promises became an ongoing problem. In 1937, after the Peel Commission report recommended partition, McMahon wrote to the Times to clarify the nature of the pledge, which he said excluded Palestine. A further commission was set up to decide the issue, the ensuing report of which is given in the second paper. Also included in the lot is a further British Government Paper regarding the division of the Ottoman Empire after the First World War.