Pencil and ballpoint pen collector in Baghdad - in pictures

  • Ali Al Mandalawi uses the torchlight of his mobile phone to search for a pencil in his shop at the Al Saray market in central Baghdad. All photos: EPA
    Ali Al Mandalawi uses the torchlight of his mobile phone to search for a pencil in his shop at the Al Saray market in central Baghdad. All photos: EPA
  • What began as a hobby - collecting ballpoint pens and pencils - has grown to a collection of more than a million pencils and ballpoint pens of various sizes and colours.
    What began as a hobby - collecting ballpoint pens and pencils - has grown to a collection of more than a million pencils and ballpoint pens of various sizes and colours.
  • His store, where he began collecting pens and pencils in 1985, has meanwhile become a destination for calligraphers and painters, and a tourist attraction, in the historic Saray market in Baghdad.
    His store, where he began collecting pens and pencils in 1985, has meanwhile become a destination for calligraphers and painters, and a tourist attraction, in the historic Saray market in Baghdad.
  • Ali Al Mandalawi speaks to a customer.
    Ali Al Mandalawi speaks to a customer.
  • Ali Al Mandalawi in his artist supply shop.
    Ali Al Mandalawi in his artist supply shop.
  • The artist supply shop.
    The artist supply shop.