2001 The Art of Dhow-building in Kuwait – Ya’qub Yusuf Al-Hijji | Signed & Inscribed to André Farkas

One of the most important modern studies of Kuwait’s maritime heritage, The Art of Dhow-building in Kuwait documents the extraordinary craft of traditional Kuwaiti shipbuilding in exceptional detail. Ya’qub Yusuf Al-Hijji traces the history and types of Kuwaiti dhows, the tools and timbers used by shipwrights, the construction of the great deep-sea boum, sails, launching, celebrated builders and historic vessels. Published by the Centre for Research and Studies on Kuwait in association with The London Centre of Arab Studies, the large-format hardcover is extensively illustrated with photographs, historic images, drawings and maps. The book is now scarce, with only a handful of copies generally appearing on the international market; ordinary unsigned examples are currently offered at roughly US$95–150.

This is a particularly significant copy. Al-Hijji personally inscribed and signed the title page to André Farkas in Kuwait in May 2002, writing “with my best wishes.” The book comes directly from the Farkas/AlRashoud family and was acquired from André’s daughter, Claudia Farkas AlRashoud, giving it unusually strong Kuwait provenance. Claudia herself has spent more than four decades documenting Kuwait’s history and heritage and became the country’s first professional female photojournalist in 1979. Combined with the book’s scarcity, the authorial inscription and its association with a family closely tied to the documentation of modern Kuwait make this considerably more collectible than a standard copy. Hardcover with original dust jacket, presenting very well with light age-related wear.

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