[COMMEMORATIVE FOLDER] IPC THIRTY INCH PIPELINE INAUGURAL CEREMONIES: KIRKUK 18 NOVEMBER 1952, BANIAS 24 NOVEMBER 1952 [containing] 1. Pictorial Map of the Operations of the Iraq, Basrah & Mosul Petroleum Companies in the Middle East; 2. [Map] Iraq Petroleum Company Limited - Kirkuk; 3. [Map] Iraq Petroleum Company Limited - Banias Sea Terminal of the 30 inch Pipe Line from Kirkuk; 4. Iraq Oil in 1951

Silver card presentation folder titled in red and black 31x23cm opening to reveal two silver IPC monogrammed envelopes containing 3 colourful and attractively drawn pictorial maps, and the "Iraq Oil in 1951" report. Folder good with some wear, Map 1 very good with short closed fold tears, Maps 2 and 3 near fine lightly creased, report very good with sections coming loose. Very rare. Worldcat lists each map individually at the Library of Congress only (OCLC 889845752, 846851474, 975830778), and 7 locations for the report (Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, NYPL, Rolvaag Memorial Library, Emory University, Seattle Public Library), none on Jisc. IPC PIPELINES: IPC built its Mediterranean Pipeline from Kirkuk to Haifa and Tripoli in 1932-35. This set celebrates significant upscaling with the completion of a new 30-inch pipeline from Kirkuk to Banias in Syria in 1952. REPORT: colour illustrated staple-bound wraps 21x26cm, 33pp illustrated in colour and b/w, dated July 1952. This leads on the pipeline, stating 308 miles (55%) had been laid down and Kirkuk's facilities expanded to take an extra 14 million tons. Gibson, IPC's MD, reports on major expansion in the Basrah Concession, agreement to share profits 50/50 with the Iraqi Government (in contrast to the troubling developments in Iran (not mentioned)), and commitment to use 70% of revenues for agricultural development. Maps show sea and pipeline routes and operations, and photos show Iraqi royalty and VIPs, IPC top brass, and various activities. MAP 1: "Pictorial Map of the Operations of the Iraq, Basrah & Mosul Petroleum Companies in the Middle East", V. (Victor) Coverley-Price, c1952, 78 x 55cm. No scale. Alongside the modern world of oil installations and transportation, this shows major cities and towns, Islamic and pre-Islamic sites (Kerbala, Ctesiphon, Babylon, Baalbek, Palmyra etc), agricultural activities, Bedouin (black tents, camels and camel riders), traditional sailing craft, with relief shown by shading and pictorially, within an illustrated frame showing by Arab and foreign pipeline workers, their tools and transport. Coverley-Price (1901-88) was a professional diplomat, painter and writer. MAP 2: "Iraq Petroleum Company Limited - Kirkuk", 95 x 59cm, drawn by FH Reitz and J Varney, produced by Newman Neame Maps Ltd London, printed in Nov 1952 in time for the inauguration, scale approx 6 inches to 1 mile. This shows Kirkuk on either side of the Khassa River with major buildings, public gardens, new residential areas, New Industrial Area, Tank Farm, KI Pump Station, old and new airfields etc. Inset circular drawings show offices, sports ground, Technical Institute, gardens, crematorium, Horton spheres at night, hospital, Zab Bridge, trainees, and the Eternal Fires (Baba Gurgur). Other features include railway, roads, brick fields, wells, the degassing station, Iraqi settlements (Old Baba, Choplije, and Shurau) somewhat lost among the modern sprawl, Iraq’s Royal Coat of Arms and inset map showing its relative position. MAP 3: "Iraq Petroleum Company Limited - Banias, Sea Terminal of the 30 inch Pipe Line from Kirkuk", 95 x 60cm, also by Reitz, Varney, Newman Neame, printed Nov 1952, scale 15 inches to 1 mile. This shows Banias to the west of major installations straddling the Jobar, Hryssoun, and Sourite Rivers, including the tank farm, pipeline, harbour, industrial and residential areas. Inset circular illustrations show Maraob Crusader Castle, Banias' school, offices, signal station, canteen, and workers hauling sea lines aboard. Other features include sea lines connecting the pipeline to tankers offshore, roads, a rough impression of fields and woodlands, the Syria's coat of arms and inset map its location. Reitz is known for his work with BOAC (with Varney), and the British Transport Commission.…