In between a Land Rover and a Japanese pickup truck, is this fascinating glimpse of Dubai’s consumer culture in the early 1970s.
This the Latifi Store near the Creek, as photographed by Peter Alvis, who worked in the oil industry in Abu Dhabi at this time, and would have, in those days, made a long trek across desert tracks to reach the city.
Latifi’s claim to fame - as clearly advertised - is the sole agent for KEM playing cards, an American company founded in the 1930s. The cards’ durability made them a favourite of everyone from seasoned poker players to stage magicians.
Also visible are adverts for Montagut, a French clothing company specialising in silk and Sumerland, a British knitwear firm.
Both KEM and Montagut are still very much in business. So to, it seems, is the Latifi Store. A general trading and clothing company with that name now has at least three outlets on their Diera side of Dubai Creek.
* James Langton
