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Exceptional personalized Saudi Arabian presentation set gifted by Prince Sultan bin Salman to his fellow STS-51G crew member, NASA astronaut Col. John M. Fabian.
The two-piece grouping consists of a traditional Arabic dallah coffee pot and a large commemorative presentation tray associated with the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The dallah is individually engraved around the lid “To: Col. John M. Fabian.” Its body bears the Royal Commission emblem together with the engraved wording “Compliments of Royal Commission For Jubail And Yanbu / Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
The accompanying large ornate tray carries the same Royal Commission identity, with a central engraved emblem depicting the industrial skyline, palm tree and crossed swords. Bilingual Arabic and English lettering identifies the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu.
The set was among the Saudi presentation gifts given to Col. Fabian by Prince Sultan bin Salman following their historic service together aboard Space Shuttle Discovery mission STS-51G.
STS-51G launched in June 1985 with Fabian serving as mission specialist alongside Prince Sultan bin Salman, who became the first Saudi Arabian citizen and first Arab to travel in space. Their relationship continued after the mission, including Fabian’s subsequent visit to Saudi Arabia.
The combination of direct Prince Sultan provenance, Fabian’s personalized engraved name and the official Royal Commission imagery makes this considerably more significant than an ordinary decorative dallah or Saudi presentation piece.
Specifics:
• 2-piece presentation grouping
• Gifted by Prince Sultan bin Salman to Col. John M. Fabian
• Traditional Arabic dallah coffee pot
• Large Royal Commission presentation tray
• Dallah approx. 12½–13" tall overall
• Tray approx. 13" diameter
• Dallah engraved “To: Col. John M. Fabian”
• Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu emblem
• Engraved “Compliments of Royal Commission For Jubail And Yanbu / Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”
• Tray features bilingual Arabic and English engraving
• Central industrial skyline, palm tree and crossed-swords imagery
• Associated with NASA Space Shuttle mission STS-51G
• Saudi Arabian royal / governmental presentation memorabilia
• From the John M. Fabian collection
Condition:
Vintage pre-owned condition with visible age and use throughout. The dallah shows surface scratches, scuffs, oxidation/tarnish, discoloration, finish variation and general handling wear. The underside has substantial scratching consistent with use and storage. Hardware, hinge and lid assembly show age-related wear.
The tray likewise shows scratches, scuffs, finish wear, oxidation and handling marks across the broad central surface and decorative rim. Engraved Royal Commission imagery and lettering remain clearly visible.
No aggressive polishing or restoration has been performed. Please review all photographs closely, including the personalized inscription, Royal Commission engraving, underside, hardware and measurements.
A remarkable personal presentation gift from Prince Sultan bin Salman to fellow STS-51G astronaut John Fabian, connecting Saudi royal history, NASA and one of the Space Shuttle program’s landmark international missions.
Keywords:
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