Abu Dhabi Before 1971

Description

Part of Assouline’s special series, The Ultimate Collection, which is an homage to the art of luxury bookmaking. Books in the collection are hand-bound using traditional techniques, with color plates hand-tipped on art-quality paper; each page of this limited-edition series bears the unique imprint of the artisan. Complimentary white gloves and signature canvas tote bag are included with each purchase from Assouline’s Ultimate Collection.

Abu Dhabi Before 1971 is a rare and compelling visual record of an emirate on the cusp of profound transformation. Featuring extraordinary vintage photography, the book captures everyday life in Abu Dhabi before unification, before the discovery of oil reshaped its destiny, and before modernity accelerated at breathtaking speed. These images—many seldom seen—offer an intimate window into a world defined by resilience, community, tradition, and an enduring relationship with land and sea.

With a foreword written by His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the State, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and a deeply insightful and elegantly crafted text by Jonathan Gornall, the book goes beyond documentation to provide context and meaning to this unique narrative. Gornall’s writing illuminates the social, cultural, and historical threads woven through the photographs, bringing clarity to a pivotal period in the emirate’s history. The unique historical photo collection featured in this edition is sourced from the National Library and Archives of the United Arab Emirates. This is a powerful edition that preserves memory while enriching understanding. Abu Dhabi Before 1971 is a testament to a way of life that laid the foundations for a nation.

About the Brand

Assouline Publishing was founded as a family company in 1994 by Proper and Martine Assouline. It has published approximately 1500 titles on subjects ranging from architecture, art, design, fashion, lifestyle, and travel and has brought the illustrated book market to life with products that are modern, luxurious, and creative.

Created with the goal of becoming the first luxury brand on culture, Assouline aims to supply everything needed for a contemporary library. An active contributor to the growth of the illustrated market and its integration into the worlds of luxury, fashion, and design, Assouline provides the highest quality book-objects, sharing a distinctive graphic identity and editorial savoir-faire that have captured imaginations while addressing new themes in a contemporary manner. With its style and vision, the brand is a true pioneer.

Product Details

Released in April 2026

Author: Jonathan Gornall, foreword by His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Publisher: Assouline Publishing Corporation
Edition: English
Book Details: 231 pages, 143 illustrations
Material: Handcrafted volume in a luxury clamshell case
Dimensions: (L 48 x W 41 x D 9) cm
Weight: 10.4 kg
Packaging: White gloves and a signature canvas tote bag are included

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