• A first edition of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', a landmark work of American fantasy literature by L Frank Baum, can be yours for a cool £55,000 (Dh258,000). Peter Harrington
    A first edition of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', a landmark work of American fantasy literature by L Frank Baum, can be yours for a cool £55,000 (Dh258,000). Peter Harrington
  • A first edition of 'Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll, an enormously influential work of children’s fantasy literature, is for sale for £39,500 (Dh185,000). Peter Harrington
    A first edition of 'Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll, an enormously influential work of children’s fantasy literature, is for sale for £39,500 (Dh185,000). Peter Harrington
  • A deluxe, signed limited-edition of George R R Martin’s 'A Song of Ice and Fire: A Game of Thrones; A Clash of Kings; A Storm of Swords; A Feast For Crows; A Dance of Dragons' – one of only 52 lettered sets signed by the author and illustrators with an original drawing in each volume – is for sale for £27,500 (Dh129,000). Peter Harrington
    A deluxe, signed limited-edition of George R R Martin’s 'A Song of Ice and Fire: A Game of Thrones; A Clash of Kings; A Storm of Swords; A Feast For Crows; A Dance of Dragons' – one of only 52 lettered sets signed by the author and illustrators with an original drawing in each volume – is for sale for £27,500 (Dh129,000). Peter Harrington
  • Other highlights of the catalogue include signed galley proofs of Diana Wynne Jones’s 'Howl’s Moving Castle' - the basis for the much-loved Studio Ghibli film. Peter Harrington
    Other highlights of the catalogue include signed galley proofs of Diana Wynne Jones’s 'Howl’s Moving Castle' - the basis for the much-loved Studio Ghibli film. Peter Harrington
  • A signed hardcover first edition of 'I Am Legend' by Richard Matheson – a highly influential novel in “the last man” genre – on sale for £2,250 (Dh10,500). Peter Harrington
    A signed hardcover first edition of 'I Am Legend' by Richard Matheson – a highly influential novel in “the last man” genre – on sale for £2,250 (Dh10,500). Peter Harrington
  • First editions of J R R Tolkien’s 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, one of the most popular works of literature in the 20th century, are for sale for £27,500 (Dh129,000). Peter Harrington
    First editions of J R R Tolkien’s 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, one of the most popular works of literature in the 20th century, are for sale for £27,500 (Dh129,000). Peter Harrington
  • A first edition, and a very scarce example inscribed by the author, of Frank Herbert’s 'Dune', a seminal work of science fiction and among the best known and most widely read in the genre, for sale for £12,500 (Dh58,500). Peter Harrington
    A first edition, and a very scarce example inscribed by the author, of Frank Herbert’s 'Dune', a seminal work of science fiction and among the best known and most widely read in the genre, for sale for £12,500 (Dh58,500). Peter Harrington
  • An inscribed copy of Bram Stoker’s 'Dracula' is among the works in the new Peter Harrington collection. Peter Harrington
    An inscribed copy of Bram Stoker’s 'Dracula' is among the works in the new Peter Harrington collection. Peter Harrington
  • Another view of the George R R Martin collection for sale. Peter Harrington
    Another view of the George R R Martin collection for sale. Peter Harrington
  • George R.R Martin’s signature. Peter Harrington
    George R.R Martin’s signature. Peter Harrington
  • Frank Herbert’s signature in the copy of 'Dune'. Peter Harrington
    Frank Herbert’s signature in the copy of 'Dune'. Peter Harrington

Books

A Dh250,000 edition of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz': rare fantasy and sci-fi books up for sale

Rare books company Peter Harrington's newest catalogue includes highly desirable editions of 'A Game of Thrones' and 'Dune'

The National

June 11, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

A first edition of the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is among the titles in rare books company Peter Harrington's new fantasy and science-fiction catalogue.

The coveted copy of the L Frank Baum classic features the Cowardly Lion on the cover looking, well, scared and confused. His mane is bundled by a bow-tie, and he is wearing the green spectacles of Emerald City.

The novel inspired the 1939 musical – starring a young Judy Garland – which is regarded as one of the greatest films in cinematic history.

The first edition, which has an illustration of the Scarecrow and Tin Man on its cover page, can be yours for a cool £55,000 (Dh258,000).

The latest Peter Harrington catalogue, titled In Other Worlds: Fantasy, Science Fiction and Beyond, has a number of other names that may be of interest to film and TV buffs.

Among them is a deluxe, signed, limited-edition copy of George R R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, the basis for the Game of Thrones series, which is going for £27,500 (Dh129,000).

The edition on sale is one of only 52 lettered sets signed by the author and illustrators, with an original drawing in each volume.

Other highlights of the catalogue include signed galley proofs of Diana Wynne Jones's Howl's Moving Castle, the basis for the much-loved Studio Ghibli film; classic horrors such as the first illustrated edition of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; and an inscribed copy of Bram Stoker's Dracula. There are also much-loved books that inspired early Disney films such as T H White's The Sword in the Stone, presented here as original proof pages bound with the original wrappers, and the first edition of J M Barrie's Peter and Wendy, an adapted novel from the 1904 stage play Peter Pan.

The 180-item catalogue transcends pure fantasy and sci-fi categories and spans several centuries and genres, from dystopian and apocalyptic fiction to imaginative tales that have defined enduring classics of children's literature. Several of these have spawned popular film and TV adaptations, such as I Am Legend, Dune and The Lord of the Rings.

More information on the collection is at www.peterharrington.co.uk

While you're here
What is Folia?

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.

In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love". 

There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."

HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

While you're here
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Score

New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs 

New Zealand win by 47 runs

New Zealand lead three-match ODI series 1-0

Next match: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Friday

Who is Allegra Stratton?

 

  • Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
  • Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
  • In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
  • The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
  • Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
  • She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
  • Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth
A cryptocurrency primer for beginners

Cryptocurrency Investing  for Dummies – by Kiana Danial 

There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine. 

Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.

Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this  book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.

Begin your cryptocurrency journey here. 

Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104 

The biog

Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball

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Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
While you're here

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Disney