Flannagan Dan (1 results)
More imagesLanguage: English
Published by Dan Flannagan, Aramco Training Department, Dhahran 1991
- Softcover
Seller: Dendera, London, United KingdomDendera
Contact seller5-star sellerCondition: Used - Very good
US$ 3,206.41
US$ 33.12 shippingShips from United Kingdom to U.S.A.Quantity: 1 available
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. Spiral binding 23x29cm containing (114)pp facsimiles of mostly colour illustrated letters on white card, most in handwriting or caps, some typed, chronologically arranged with a colour illustrated title page that assembles some imagery from within. Cover page good, lightly rippled with marks, th…e rest near fine. Extremely rare, possibly unique. The letters are signed "Dan", identifying himself as within as Dan Flannagan. Flanagan worked in the Training Department of the recently formed Saudi Aramco from October 1989 to 1992. These letters to family members date from 26 October 1989 to 3 April 1991. Many are highly detailed. They show a wide interest in local people, ex-pat life, and surroundings. His often heavily annotated and light-hearted illustrations feature Saudis, Eastern Province, the Rub al Khali, Bahrain, traditional sailing vessels, diving, mosques, forts, traditional houses, etc. There are several views of his home and office, social scenes, recreation, and colleagues. He has made several pictorial maps (Saudi, Bahrain, coastal areas), town plans (including Dhahran), and site plans including his locality, accommodation and the layout of a lunch buffet. Some examples of his themes: Saudis and a Saudi house (26 Oct 89). a huge deserted Al Khobar development for Bedouin, a neighbouring shanty town for Indian, African and other workers (27 Oct). Environs including Bedouin village, shanty towns, planned layout for his room, layout of a lunch buffet. SCECO people met (28 Oct). First day at work: Egyptian and Sudanese colleagues, observations on Aramco and Al Hoty staff. Saudification: "Now all the top managers are Saudi. Eventually all foreign personnel will be contract employees. This will happen anywhere from 2-10 years from now" (30 Oct). Call to prayer, plan of his room, a timed description of his day (nd). Note accompanying his recordings of The Silver Chair for his son (11 Nov). Al Khobar (16 Nov). An aborted execution in Dammam (16 Nov). The Green Mosque Dammam (18 Nov), dhows (8 Dec). The final letter mentions a tempting job offer from Aramco to put out its engineering magazine. Flanagan sounds keen as it means the family could join him in Dhahran, ending with "What do you think? Would you like to give it a try?".