* Named after King Abdullah, it will house vintage cars and objects of historical and cultural value AL–KHOBAR – A museum that will house objects of artistic, cultural and historical value, including vintage cars, will soon be established in the city of Al-Khobar by an octogenarian who describes himself as a “compulsive collector”. “I like to collect nice things of significant value; now I plan to build a museum to house my collection and share it with the public,” says Ismail S. Nazer, a connoisseur of Islamic culture and a renowned lawyer. Nazer, now in his 80s, said that he has stored his collections at his sprawling residence for over 50 years. Nazer said he will call the new museum the King Abdullah Museum of World Culture and History. “My collections span the global culture, and they are historical in the sense that they cover eras significant to human survival and conflict,” Nazer said, explaining why the museum connotes the essence of culture and history. Nazer's collection includes works of art, books of knowledge, antique weapons, pearls and jewelry, machines and motor vehicles, such as cars and motorcycles, priceless paintings, ancient handicrafts, and personal possessions of famous people. His latest acquisition is a life-size mirror once belonging to former Philippine first lady Imelda R. Marcos. The mirror was bought at a New York auction. A large original painting of Napoleon Bonaparte, the only one of its kind in the world, adorns Nazer's office in Al-Khobar. The most valuable items are Nazer's collection of vintage cars, which include a red 1905 Cadillac, a 1930s Bentley, a red Rolls Royce once owned by Queen Elizabeth II, a one cylinder VCC Bassett car circa 1899 lighted by a candle, a 1920 Ford which Henry Ford declared would “put American on wheels”, and many other antique cars from the United States and Europe. There are more than 100 items in the vintage auto and accessories collection, including several models of the Spirit of Ecstasy, the emblem of Rolls Royce. “Many people would like to acquire my vintage car collection, but it is not for sale. Like the items in the rest of my collection, they are now for people to see and enjoy. That will be realized through the establishment of the museum, which is one way of honoring King Abdullah who has always shown his desire to preserve our Islamic culture and heritage,” Nazer said.
