By Vintage Royal Letters and Documents Exhibition in Kalba
Bait Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad Al Qasimi Museum in Kalba has unveiled its latest exhibition — Letters Exchanged, historic correspondence from the era of former ruler Sheikh Saeed. Displayed in the ruler’s landmark 125-year-old heritage house, the exhibition covers personal correspondence and manuscripts exchanged between family, friends and acquaintances.
Included in the exhibition are letters from Sheikh Saeed bin Hamad bin Majid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, ruler of Kalba from 1903 to 1937 to his daughter, Sheikha Aisha bint Saeed and to his cousin Shaikha bint Saif Al Abdouli. The exhibition also features a letter from Latifa bint Ali bin Darwesh, the mother of Sheikh Saeed and aunt of Sheikha bint Saif Al Abdouli to her granddaughter Aisha bint Saeed. This letter captures the grandmother’s joy on the birth of her great-grandchild.
These handwritten letters were a crucial form of documentation and communication of the pre-modern era, that were hand delivered by messengers before the advent of modern postal systems, emails and social media. Also on display at the exhibition that runs till December 31st, 2024, are women’s costumes, materials of personal adornment and household items.
Located in Kalba on the picturesque east coast of the Arabian Gulf, Bait Saeed, was built between 1899 and 1901. The house renovated and reopened to the public is a historic keepsake of Sharjah’s culture and civilization.