The National Geographic Magazine, Vol. LXXVIII, No. 6, November, 1940

Washington DC: The National Geographic Society, 1940. Presumed First Edition/First Printing thus. Wraps. [20 pages of advertisements--some with color], pages 685-824, [and 8 pages of advertisements with some color]. Illustrations (with Thirty-two pages in full color. Map Supplement NOT present. Maps. Cover has some wear and soiling. National Geographic is the official magazine of the National Geographic Society. It has been published continuously since its first issue in 1888, nine months after the Society itself was founded. It primarily contains articles about geography, history, and world culture. The magazine is known for its extensive use of dramatic photographs. The magazine is published monthly, and additional map supplements are also included with subscriptions. On occasion, special editions of the magazine are issued. The first issue of National Geographic Magazine was published on September 22, 1888, nine months after the Society was founded. Starting with its January 1905 publication of several full-page pictures of Tibet in 1900–1901, the magazine changed from being a text-oriented publication closer to a scientific journal to featuring extensive pictorial content, and became well known for this style. John Hyde was the first editor.

This issue includes: Aviation in Commerce and Defense by F. Barrows Colton with 39 Illustrations; In the Realms of the Maharajas by Lawrence Thaw and Margaret Thaw with 14 Illustrations and a map; Princely India with 40 Natural Color Photographs; Canoeing Down the River Jordan by John D. Whiting with 19 Illustraitons and a map; Old-New Battle Grounds of Egypt and Libia by W. Robert Moore with 8 Illustrations and Map; and text discussing Census Changes associated with the missing map supplement.

John D. Whiting (1882-1951) was a notable member of the American Colony, a Christian community of Americans, Swedes, and others based in Jerusalem. Whiting lived most of his life in Jerusalem. John Whiting led a varied and multi-faceted professional life in Jerusalem. He worked with the American Colony Photo Department as a photographer and also helped run the business. With his brother-in-law, Frederick Vester, he was a partner and manager of the Vester & Co.-American Colony Store near the Jaffa Gate, where American Colony Photo Department prints, lantern slides, and postcard images were sold along with other merchandise. Whiting was fluent in Arabic. He collected antiquities such as pottery and figurines that were sold at the store, as well as Palestinian needlework and other artifacts. From 1908 to around 1915, Whiting was deputy American consul for Jerusalem, specializing in issues of commerce and agriculture. During World War I he supplied aid to wounded soldiers as a volunteer with the Turkish Red Crescent and the American Colony Nurses. In 1918 he began service as an intelligence officer for the British Army. Whiting had widespread knowledge of the landscapes and historic sites of the Middle East. He often guided visitors on tours of Palestine, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. He wrote numerous articles for National Geographic Magazine illustrated with photographs produced by the American Colony Photo Department and its successor studio, the Matson Photo Service.
Condition: Very good.

Keywords: National Geographic, Aviation, National Defense, India, Maharaja, Canoeing, Jordan River, Egypt, Libia, Libya, Gaekwar of Baroda, Patiala, Suez Canal, Rosetta, King Farouk, Flying Fortress, Dive Bombers

[Book #72921]

Price: $45.00

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