A portion, previously not fully explored, of historical information about Al-Quds/Jerusalem is embodied in the postcards and souvenir objects featuring the city. These items, that were posted or kept by visitors, are assets of cultural heritage and hold anthropological value both for their own sake and for the thoughts and purposes attached to them. ”Souvenir of Jerusalem” sheds light on this valuable legacy. The book contains reproductions of postcards, posters, and photographs of various objects that Mr. Murat Kargılı had assembled in his personal collection and supplemented with annotations. The book came out in IRCICA’s series of studies on al-Quds and Palestine. Earlier IRCICA published albums of historical photographs of al-Quds (Al-Quds/Jerusalem in historical photographs, 2009; Jerusalem in Historical Photographs From Past to Present, 2015) but this is the first publication to focus on postcards and artefacts.
The first chapter of the book is reserved to postcards, with annotations on the quarters, structures and scenes of life. The second chapter contains a large variety of printed materials such as posters, trade cards, gravures and maps featuring a fascinating range of subjects and objects. The last chapter is devoted to souvenir objects acquired from Jerusalem.
IRCICA is pleased to publish this album which mirrors Al-Quds of the late 19th early 20th centuries. The said album came out in a deluxe edition printed on archival-quality paper. It features more than 150 printed materials such as postcards, maps, engravings, posters, trade cards and pictures of souvenir objects which will take the reader on a journey to Al-Quds; this main sacred city that has seen the longest state rule in its history under Muslims’ administration.
“Souvenir of Jerusalem” will be of interest to researchers in history and culture and the general reader, a landmark publication in its field and a superb addition to libraries.
