First British edition of the narrative of an American archaeological expedition to Yemen, under the leadership of Wendell Phillips (1921-1975) which earned him the nickname "America's Lawrence of Arabia". After having successfully organised an expedition to various parts of Africa, Phillips turned his attention to southern Arabia, at the suggestion of the Aga Khan. After crossing out several candidate locations, Phillips decided to excavate in Ma'rib, in the western part of the Kingdom of Yemen, where he believed that the capital of the legendary Queen of Sheba was to be found. With the help of a large workforce of local inhabitants the expedition started work at Timna, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Qataban, and at nearby Hajar bin Humeid. With tensions increasing between the expedition and the local populace, the expedition as finally abandoned in 1952. Many of the excavated (or looted, according to the local population) items are now in the collection of the Smithsonian.
Phillips published his account of the expedition, which often reads like an adventure novel, in 1954. Illustrated with numerous photographs, one of the most interesting parts of the book as a lengthy account of a meeting with the reclusive King of Yemen, Ahmad bin Yahya (1891-1962). The expedition and the book made Phillips one of the most famous men of the time. He would later make his fortune as the largest individual holder of oil concessions.
With the dustjacket slightly soiled, worn at the edges and with a tear repaired with tape. Spotted throughout, but nevertheless a good copy. Rex Smith, The Yemens 153.