Fascinating collection of 14 photographic portraits showing 13 sheikhs and tribesmen from several tribes in and around Syria, all with captions that usually give the subject's name and tribe. The photos, often highly expressive profile studies, were taken and assembled by Lt. Col. Walter Francis Stirling (1880-1958), T. E. Lawrence's Chief of Staff in 1918. The named tribes are the Shammar (nomadic Bedouins in northern Arabia, Syria and Iraq), Ruwalla (semi-nomadic Bedouins led by the Sha'lan family, also in northern Arabia and Syria), Hadidiyin (nomadic Bedouin sheep herders in Syria and northern Iraq), Walda (Kurds in Syria), Yazidis (Kurds in northern Iraq), Agaidat (Beduoins in Syria) and "Abu Klamin"[?] (not identified). The best known subjects are Fawaz al Sha'lam, Emir of Ruwalla (grandson of Nuri Sha'lan (1847-1842!), who commanded a large portion of the troops that entered Damascus with Faisal in 1918) and Daham al-Hadi, Sheikh of the Shammar. The latter is described as "Paramount Sheikh"of the Shammar (in Iraq), a title granted him by the British in 1920 that he lost when Faisal became King of Iraq in 1921.
One photograph slightly damaged, mostly outside the image area, but further in very good condition, with only an occasional small surface scratch or spot. Rare photographic portraits of sheiks and tribesmen in T.E. Lawrence's Damascus circle of friends and enemies.