Bandar Abbas, Gsgs NG40. [Together With:] Hofuf, Gsgs NG39. Arabian Gulf Cartography.

A rare and historically interesting pair of adjacent maps of the Arabian Gulf, covering six degrees of longitude each, the geographical area encompassing the whole of Qatar, Bahrain, and part of what was to become the United Arab Emirates, Al-Hofuf being the major city in the Al-Ahsa Oasis, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia; sixth and fifth editions respectively. Maps of the period issued by the GSGS (Geographical Section, General Staff) use a 7-colour tint scale to distinguish altitude and a glossary that highlights towns of significance and other standout features, which provided steady references for army personnel to aid navigation in the challenging conditions of the region. The Bander Abbas map was compiled by the US Army Map Service, Corps of Engineers, from a number of sources including USAF Aeronautical Approach Charts of 1951-55 and the US Geological Survey of the Arabian Peninsula (1958). The Hofuf chart is based, inter alia, on 512 Field Survey Royal Engineers charts (1942-4). WorldCat lists just three individual copies for Hofuf NG39 (SUNY at Buffalo, University of Notre Dame and Eastern Illinois University), alongside four copies of Bandar Abbas NG40 (University of Exeter, University of Notre Dame, Eastern Illinois University, and University of South Florida). It should be noted that major national institutions - BL for example - will have holdings of these maps within the complete GSGS series. Most copies would be discarded on supersession, making these an important record of cartographic progress in the region. Two-colour printed maps, 1:1,000,000 scale (690 x 610 & 750 x 610 mm respectively). Ex- libris stamp of Arizona State Library, both stamped "superseded" in blank margin and "withdrawn" on verso, some pencilled marginalia; both in excellent condition.