Lawrence, T.E.

4to (254 x 190mm.), the subscribers' or "Cranwell" edition, one of 170 complete copies (inscribed by the author "Complete copy. | 1.XII.26 TES." on p.xix together with correction of artist from "Roberts" to "K[ennington]" for "The gad-fly" plate), printed in red and black, frontispiece portrait of King Feysal after Augustus John, 66 plates (mostly in colour) and other text illustrations after Roberts, Kennington, Nash, Nicholson and others, 4 folding coloured maps, decorative initials by Edward Wadsworth, endpapers by Kennington, original vellum, lettered in gilt on spine, gilt edges, collector's chemise and red cloth slipcase, border of "Camel-march" plate shaved at left margin, vellum very lightly soiled

Mrs John Hay Whitney, sold at Sotheby's New York, 22-25 April 1999, lot 481

O'Brien A040

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The limited edition of Lawrence's epic masterpiece, in the rare vellum binding, in which he "revels how by sheer willpower he made history" (Oxford DNB).

O'Brien notes that "each copy [is] bound differently". Copies bound in vellum are extremely rare. As usual, this copy includes "The Prickly Pear" which is not called for in the list of illustrations, but lacks the Paul Nash line drawings called for on pages 92 and 208.

Following his extraordinary military and diplomatic career in Arabia, and having already become a legendary figure in the public imagination, T.E. Lawrence purchased his Dorset cottage retreat Clouds Hill in 1924 to write his book about the war. The first draft of Seven Pillars of Wisdom was completed by November 1919, but soon lost, according to the author, on Reading Station. A second draft was finished during 1922, and finally appeared as a private edition, reflecting Lawrence's love of fine printing, in the present form in 1926. An abridged version, Revolt in the Desert, was published in 1927.

"Subtitled 'A triumph', its climax is the Arab liberation of Damascus, a victory which successfully concludes a gruelling campaign and vindicates Lawrence's faith in the Arabs. In a way Seven Pillars is a sort of Pilgrim's Progress, with Lawrence as Christian, a figure sustained by his faith in the Arabs, successively overcoming physical and moral obstacles (Lawrence James, Oxford DNB).