A treasure trove of historical artifacts awaits attendees at the upcoming Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) as Peter Harrington, a renowned rare book seller from London, unveils a captivating collection. Among the highlights is a mid-19th-century map featuring one of the earliest references to Abu Dhabi, known as “Abuthubbi.”
Annotated by a former British Army officer, the map was utilized for a lecture on The History of the Arabs in London in April 1844. Priced at £95,000 (Dh435,740), this historical gem will be showcased at the book fair held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (Adnec) from April 29 to May 5.
In addition to the “Abuthubbi” map, Harrington will present other notable treasures, including a rare 16th-century book titled “Itinerarium Portugallensium” by Fracanzio da Montalboddo. This book features the first modern printed map to the holy city of Makkah, priced at £450,000 (Dh2.06 million).
Pom Harrington, the owner of Peter Harrington, expressed pride in presenting these exceptional rarities at the ADIBF, stating, “We are proud to present these exceptional rarities in Abu Dhabi, offering collectors, cultural institutes, enthusiasts, and scholars alike a unique opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of Middle Eastern history through the lens of rare cartographic records.”
Harrington highlighted the enduring fascination with the Middle East throughout the ages, and the curated selection aims to showcase this fascination. Peter Harrington has been a regular participant at the ADIBF since 2016, with the Middle Eastern market constituting approximately 10% of its global sales.
The 33rd edition of the ADIBF, organized by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center (ALC), is set to be a vibrant event with over 1,350 exhibitors from 90 countries, indicating growth from the previous year’s 1,300 exhibitors representing 84 countries.