Hamada Sons (1 results)

No Binding. Condition: Very Good. A collection of 7 vintage Mutawwaf business cards and 1 headed letter. Conditions good to near fine. Undated c1950s to 1960s, with references to sea, overland and air travel. Tawafa (named from Tawaf or circumambulation around the Kaaba) also known as Muallim or teachers, have traditionally been officially licensed to guide pilgrims through the rituals of Hajj and Umrah, and assist with practicalities such as transport, accommodation, food, water etc. Of the set included here, 7 were based in Mecca (some naming their colleagues in Medina), and 1 in Medina. Two specialised in assisting Turkish pilgrims. They had agents elsewhere, including Jeddah, Egypt and Iraq. Their addresses can sometimes appear vague, located in proximity to the Masjid al Haram for example, sometimes locatable by asking around verbally by name. ITEMS: (1) Hassan Saeed Bana 116x73mm, attractively printed in blue to both sides in Arabic only. Among the captions: In Mecca, near the Holy Mosque, ready to serve anyone who asks about him in Jeddah, by sea or air. Beware of brokers. With his portrait photo framed in a wreath with the motto "Charity and care". To the verso an engraving of the Kaaba with his PO Box in Mecca, office addresses in Basra (Qaraqoush St) and Cairo (16, 26 July Street), and telegraph. // (2) Al-Mutawef Gamil Anani 103x71mm, black printed in Arabic and English, giving his address in the Ashraf Building in Mecca overlooking the Masjid al Haram, the name of his Agent in Jeddah (Yahya Bukhari) and Guide in Medina (Hosni Ba Faqih). // (3) Abdurrahman Bana and Sons 197x63mm, printed to both sides with b/w portrait photo to the front, Arabic and Turkish text giving residential address in Mecca (adjacent to the Holy Mosque), and the name of his partner Guide in Medina (Abdurrauf Berri). The verso gives the address for accommodation in Mecca, and the plot number for tents on Arafat. // (4) Seyyid Ibrahim Davud Almosallim 94x133mm with b/w portrait photo, printed in Turkish only, giving his locations in Mecca (next to the Masjid al Haram), Mina (next to the Masjid al Khayfa), and Arafat (next to the Hospital), and the name of his Guide in Medina (Yamani Babulmecidi). With ms annotations in Turkish to the back referencing the various locations (Mekke, Cidde, Arafat, Muzdalifa, Mina). // (5) Hamada and Sons blue printed to both sides on cream card 90x53mm. "The pilgrim guide in Mecca", possibly for Iraqi pilgrims, with the city of Al Shamiya named lower right. With ms annotation. The back features an attractive b/w engraving of the Kaaba. // (6) Al-Nasr for Visitors printed in Arabic to both sides on green card 100x62mm. With cartouche engravings of the Prophet's Mosque and Masjid al Haram and location in Medina opposite the Green Palace Hotel to the front, and location map in relation to the Prophet's Mosque on the back. // (7) Al Motawif Husain Khayat and Sons 127x70mm printed to one side in Arabic with wreathed b/w photo portrait and address on Jabal Al-Kabba Street to the front. "Ask about him when departing from the sea, airport, or land". With the name of his Agents in Jeddah (Naqsh Brothers). // (8) Moallim Abdul Aziz Khogeer & Sons unused letter with large letterhead in Arabic and English 217x272mm, illustrated with vignettes of the Prophet's Mosque and the Masjid al Haram, located at Babulomra in Mecca, presumably the Masjid al Haram's Bab Al Umra Gate.