Description

Description: In his typed, three-page letter signed (May 2, 1912) to an unknown recipient, Johnston includes critical  information about the origins of the “Mahrab or shrine Muhammadan mosques (and from it, the horse-shoe arch) being in origin merely a hollow phallus …,” relying mostly on the work of two Frenchmen “sent out to Syria at the expense of Napoleon III to study the origins of Saracenic Art,” and his own explorations of mosques when he was Consul General in Tunisia in 1896.

With authority he states that the tradition of phallus worship was continued in North Africa “as early as the end of the seventh century and carried on, under the guise of Islam, . . .”  He claims that “the original meaning attached to them seems quite forgotten, though in some instances which [he] could not illustrate in the Geographical journal the  resemblance to the object revered at one time as a symbol of life and creation was unmistakable.” Signed “Yours Truly, H. H, Johnston”

A handwritten postscript reads “I append my autograph separately though I doubt it being of sufficient interest. H. H. Johnston. May 2nd 1912.” He also includes a sepia-toned ¾-length  photograph of himself in his garden in Poling (6½” x 4 ¾”).   Item #A01773

The letter is typed on ivory paper, 8” x 6½”,  with the embossed address “St John’s Priory, Poling, Near Arundel.” The letter includes numerous edits in his hand.

Sir Harry Hamilton Johnston (1858-1927) was an explorer, botanist, artist, linguist and colonial administrator who was a key player during the scramble for Africa. He envisioned a “fantasy map,” a belt of British colonies that stretched from West Africa across to the East; he helped consolidate about ½ million square kilometers of land to the British Empire. For his achievement, he was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. He authored about 40 books, including The Negro in the New World (mentioned in this letter) and The Opening Up of Africa.

Condition: Light stain on page one, generally very good condition. The top edge of the photograph has a ¼” tear reinforced with archival tissue tape on verso.