around the world in manuscript and photography - Voyager Press ...

Striking photographs of indigenous custom abound in this volume. Such would include Arab
vendors of the potent and popular Middle Eastern spirit known as Arak or Araq, a camel caravan,
simple irrigation water wells, clay dwellings, covered merchant boats and circular guffa (gufa) boats, a
professional letter writer, a children's park equipped, Arab weddings, with ferris wheels and swings
constructed of mere wood, common uses of horses and mules, date palms and plantations, mosques and
other exquisite edifices, including the tomb of the famed mystic theologian Sheikh Omar Al-
Sahrawardi Shrine. An intriguing trio of images inscribed 'Arabs at the Races' appears to be a horse
racing event, which are seen alongside military men managing a horse race score board.
Spectacular views of the city of Baghdad almost 100 years ago, include some places which may no
longer exist, such as the historical Exchange Square and New Street, as well as the iconic North Gate.
A few photos are also taken at Makina Masus, near Basrah. Various ethnicities are represented, with
photographs are Kurdish people in traditional dress, Russians and Armenians including a group of
refugees, Arab women in their Jilbab, and Indian Army Corps.
The following items accompany the journal:
Dated 22 November 1918 is a photographic postcard
illustrating British troops camped amidst large date
palms, postmarked 'Base Post, BTH Desp' and mailed
to the soldier's mother.
Dated 10 December 1918, the soldier writes a letter
on British Expeditionary Force letterhead to his family
in Philadelphia. This is possibly the last letter he
would have written, as an accompanying notice
announces the deaths of six Pennsylvania soldiers who
died of pneumonia during their service, which includes
him. In the letter he speculates on his return home.
Circa February - March 1919 a death notice in a
newspaper clipping announces that the bodies of six
deceased soldiers were being brought to New York.
Willox is included amongst these.
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A unique glimpse into 1919 Iraq! $3,950