King Abdulaziz Library Collections: Rentz and Snouck's Historical Treasures

The King Abdulaziz Public Library is one of the most prominent cultural landmarks in the Arab world. Its role extends beyond simply being a repository of books; it represents a living memory of the region's history. The library houses a comprehensive knowledge system exceeding 2.5 million items, enhancing Saudi and Islamic cultural influence and showcasing a rich and diverse cultural and historical heritage to the world.

The importance of private collections and their historical context

Within this vast system, the "Special Collections" stand out as one of the most important pillars upon which the library relies. These collections are not merely silent documents, but rather living testaments to major political and social transformations that the Arabian Peninsula and the region have witnessed over two centuries. These holdings are of strategic importance to researchers and historians, as they provide rare primary sources that contribute to a reinterpretation and accurate documentation of history, moving beyond traditional narratives, thus enhancing the Kingdom's position as a global historical authority.

Photographic Archive: A Window into the Past

The library possesses a photographic archive that is among the rarest in the world, containing 7,811 original photographs. This archive documents the beginnings of photography in the Middle East since the 19th century. Among its most notable contents are:

• The collection of Major General Muhammad Sadiq Pasha: It includes photographs of the Two Holy Mosques taken in 1880 AD, and is considered priceless visual documentation that illustrates the urban situation of Mecca and Medina at that time.
• The Orientalist Snouck Hurgronje Collection: It includes the first photograph taken by a foreign traveler of Mecca in 1888 AD, which gives it exceptional historical value.
• The Princess Alice Collection: Granddaughter of Queen Victoria, who documented her visit to the Kingdom in 1938 with (324) rare photographs, in addition to the first television footage of the Kingdom, reflecting the depth of early diplomatic relations.

George Rentz's Documents and the Founding of Modern History

Among the cornerstones of the Kingdom's historical studies is the collection of the American Arabist and historian George Rentz . Rentz lived in the Kingdom between 1945 and 1962 and played a pivotal role in documenting genealogy and the history of the Eastern Province during his time with Saudi Aramco. His collection in the library contains 2,165 rare documents and books in multiple languages, making it an essential resource for understanding the economic and social transformations that accompanied the discovery of oil.

Rare manuscripts and political documents

The library's treasures are not limited to photographs, but extend to include important political and heritage documents, including:

• Abbas Pasha's manuscript (The Origins of Horses): Written in 1852 AD, it is considered the most important reference for documenting the lineages of Arabian horses and the history of the tribes in the Arabian Peninsula.
• British documents: Reproduction images from the British archives, providing accurate information on the geopolitical aspects of the Arabian Peninsula.
• The Khair Al-Din Al-Zarkali Collection: It includes (4574) documents covering his life journey and his relationship with King Abdulaziz and his sons, the kings, documenting the stages of building the modern Saudi state.

The King Abdulaziz Public Library opens its doors to researchers and scholars from all over the world to benefit from these treasures, thus confirming its mission to spread knowledge, preserve human heritage, and build bridges of cultural communication between Arab culture and the world.