Lot 169
Lawrence, T.E.
Books, Maps, Manuscripts & Photographs
Auction: 26 May 2010 at 12:00 BST
Description
Seven pillars of wisdom. A triumph. [London: Privately Printed, 1926]. 4to, the subscriber's or 'cranwell' edition, one of 170 complete copies (inscribed by Lawrence on p. xix "Complete copy. I.XII.26 TES"), printed in red and black, text and decorations printed by Manning Pike with the assistance of H.J. Hodgson, 66 plates including frontispiece portrait of Feisal by Augustus John, many coloured or tinted, 4 double-page, by Eric Kennington, Roberts, Augustus John, William Nicholson, Paul Nash and others, 4 folding coloured maps, 58 illustrations in the text by Roberts, Nash, Kennington and others, initials by Edward Wadsworth, endpapers by Kennington, contemporary black morocco by Roger de Coverley & Sons, spine gilt, t.e.g.; [together with] Autograph letter signed with initials (Yours, T.E.S.) to F.R. Rodd [later Lord Rennell of Rodd], 2 pages, 3 November 1925
Footnote
Note: A fine copy of Lawrence's masterpiece, "a testimony to his vision and persistence and a fulfilment of his desire to write an epic which might stand comparison in scale and linguistic elegance with his beloved Morte d'Arthur and C.M. Doughty's Arabia deserta" (L. James, Oxford DNB.) Tipped in at the beginning are two receipts for fifteen guineas for this copy from W.H. Haslam Esq., and a typescript copy of a letter from T.E. Lawrence to F.R. Rodd, [with a note stating that the original letter is attached to Mr F.R. Rodd's copy of The Seven Pillars].
Autograph letter signed with initials (Yours, T.E.S.) to F.R. Rodd [later Lord Rennell of Rodd], discussing his move to R.A.F. Cadet College, Cranwell "Yes I'm here now... Lincolnshire is like a picture of dead earth in green & grey", life in the R.A.F. "The camp is good. Also the fellows, also the life. Mark me down for a further spell of quite happy existence", and progress on the Seven Pillars of Wisdom "I had made up my mind, in Bovington, to come to a natural end about Xmas, when the reprint of my book would have been finished.... it will not be ready much before March. You don't really want one, you know. Thirty guineas is an absurd price. Wash out the idea. In return I'll put Haslam down for one. Rich men are fair game. He will have to send a cheque for £15.15.0 marked 7 Pillars account... I've got too many subscribers, so am very sticky over these last copies", 2 pages, 338171, AC II Shaw, Hut 105, R.A.F. Cadet College, Cranwell, Lincs, 3.XI.25