E Library

The Princely Signatures documents an important aspect of the political and administrative affairs during the reign of Prince Abdullah I bin Al Hussein, throughout the Emirate of Transjordan (1921–1946). It examines the Princely Signatures as official documents and historical sources that offer insight into the mechanisms through which state affairs were administered during the formative period of the Emirate.

The book provides a scholarly examination of the Princely Signatures as one of the formal means of communication employed by Prince Abdullah I to direct state institutions and departments, and to communicate with officials, national leaders, community notables, and citizens. These signatures contain directives, decisions, and follow-ups concerning a wide range of political, administrative, and social matters brought before him. The significance of these signatures lies in their nature as direct primary sources, enabling researchers to examine the nature of political and administrative practices in the Emirate, trace Prince Abdullah I’s approaches to decision-making, directing officials, overseeing administrative affairs, and addressing the challenges arising from the circumstances of the state-building and formative period. Through the documentary material it examines, the book also sheds light on aspects of Prince Abdullah I’s political and administrative thought, as well as the nature of the relationship between the princely leadership, state institutions, and society. In doing so, it contributes to a more accurate and well-documented understanding of the process of state-building in Jordan during its formative years. The publication of The Princely Signatures comes as part of the Royal Hashemite Documentation Center’s commitment to collecting, preserving, studying, and making historical documents accessible to researchers, and to transforming original documents from preserved archival materials into scholarly sources that contribute to the writing of national history through a methodology grounded in primary sources and scholarly analysis. The book represents a valuable addition to the Center’s publications documenting the modern history of Jordan. It also provides researchers in political, administrative, constitutional, and social history with significant documentary material for studying the period of the Emirate of Transjordan, understanding the formation and development of state institutions and public administration, and examining the role of Prince Abdullah I in leading this pivotal phase of Jordan’s history. Through this publication, the Center reaffirms the importance of royal and princely documents as an integral part of the national memory and as essential sources for a scholarly and well-documented re-examination of Jordanian history. It further underscores the importance of incorporating original sources into historical studies and expanding their use in academic research.