The Postal Issues of Hejaz, Jeddah and Nejd.

London: D. Field,, 1927. I am printing stamps for the Sherif of Mecca" - the philatelic T. E. Lawrence First edition, one of 350 copies only, of this comprehensive work of Arabian philately, covering issues from the kingship of Sherif Hussein, with designs devised by T. E. Lawrence, to the era of Ibn Sa'ud, including the stamps made when he took control of Mecca. Warin's study opens with notes on the history of stamps after 1916 and Hussein's decision to destroy all former Turkish stamps and introduce new designs for political purposes. In the early years of Hussein's rule, the Arab Bureau and T. E. Lawrence had a significant hand in designing the kingdom's new stamp issues. Lawrence conducted initial research on designs, while Ronald Storrs "wandered … round the museum in Cairo collecting suitable motifs in order that the design in wording, spirit and ornament, might be as far as possible representative and reminiscent of a purely Arab source of inspiration" (Storrs, p. 220). In July 1916, Lawrence wrote to his mother that "Arnie will be glad to hear I am printing stamps for the Sherif of Mecca" and explained that "I'm going to have flavoured gum on the back so that one may lick without unpleasantness" (Home Letters, p. 328). The author (1893-1935) made significant contributions to Arabian philately and received the silver medal at the 1928 International Philatelic Exhibition. The illustrator, John Calcott Gaskin (1867-1931), served before the First World War as a consular assistant in Baghdad and as the assistant to the Political Resident in the Arabian Gulf. Loosely inserted is a folding chart of "The Hejaz-Jeddah Provisionals", a facsimile of an illustration printed in a contemporary volume of the West End Philatelist, also published by D. Field. This appears to have been issued as an unofficial supplement to Warin's study, and the most collectable copies are found with the chart inserted. Large octavo. With 2 colour plates, colour folding map of Arabia, text with illustrations by J. Calcott Gaskin and photographic half-tones. Original buff wrappers, title to front cover in black, yapp edges. Author's name added in manuscript on spine. Covers toned, chipping to yapp edges as usual, 50 mm split at foot of front joint, contents clean: very good. Ronald Storrs, Orientations, 1937.