FIRST EDITION OF CAMERA STUDIES IN IRAQ, PUBLISHED IN BAGHDAD IN 1925, FEATURING 73 CAPTIVATING PHOTOGRAVURES OF LIFE IN IRAQ AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY

(IRAQ). Camera Studies in Iraq [cover title]. [Baghdad: A. Kerim & Hasso Bros., 1925]. Oblong quarto (12-1/2 by 10 inches), cord-bound, original patterned cloth lettered in gilt. Housed in original cardboard slipcase. $2500.

First edition of this fascinating photographic survey of Iraq between the World Wars, with 73 sepia photogravures featuring Iraqi people, sites, ruins, and views on 50 English-captioned plates, published in Baghdad.

This striking photographic production depicts Iraq in the 1920s through 73 photogravures of people, street scenes, religious sites, monuments, markets, and ruins. The work is also of deep ethnographic interest, capturing the ethnic diversity of Iraq by showing its Bedouin, Jewish, Kurdish, and Assyrian residents engaged in daily life, as well by providing many photogravure images of Muslim subjects. Additionally, this work takes care to show women and children at work and play, offering a now unfamiliar glimpse of their lives in peacetime. Three of the photographs included here are aerial views labeled "RAF Official Photograph." Old owner signature and address inked to slipcase.

Very scarce original slipcase, rarely present, with expert restoration. A few light marginal traces of foxing, plates clean; light rubbing to extremities of original binding. A near-fine copy of a scarce work.