BELGRAVE (James H.D.).
Welcome to Bahrain.
The First Guide Dedicated to Bahrain
The first guidebook dedicated to Bahrain, with general information, a short history and much interesting information on life there in the early 1950s. The author was the son of the diplomat Sir Charles Belgrave, who worked in Bahrain as an advisor to the rulers for over thirty years; firstly to Shaikh Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa (1872-1942), then Shaikh Salman ibn Hamad Al-Khalifa (1895-1961).
The guide is illustrated with numerous black and white photographs, showing dignitaries, artisans, antiquities, landscapes and urban scenes. They come from a number of sources, including the collections of the author and Sir Charles, and the Bahrain Government archive. The opening and closing pages of advertisements provide some insight into the commercial life of Manama at the time of publication.
