Lawrence, T.E.

4to (10 x 7 3/8 in.; 254 x 187 mm). Decorative initials by Edward Wadsworth (those at the beginning of each book printed in red), 66 plates including frontispiece portrait of Faisal by Augustus John, 4 double-page, by Eric Kennington, William Roberts, Augustus John, William Nicholson, Paul Nash and others, many colored or tinted, 4 folding colored maps, 58 text illustrations (including 1 colored) by Roberts, Nash, Kennington, Blair-Hughes-Stanton, Gertrude Hermes and others, 4-page insert "Some Notes on the Writing of the Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Shaw" laid in. Original blind-ruled morocco, with pictorial endpapers by Kennington, top edge gilt; rubbing at extremities. Accompanied by a printed correspondence card, 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 in.; 90 x 115 mm, with text: "To tell you that in future I shall write very few letters. T.E. S." Matted.

O'Brien A040; F. Clements, p. 49

clean; the binding is rubbed at the extremities
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Limited, privately printed edition, one of 170 copies noted as "Complete Copy" by Lawrence on the plate list. This copy reflects the usual variations known to be due to the author's complicated requirements of printing and assembling: it includes the "Prickly Pear" plate, but not the two Paul Nash illustrations called for on pages 92 and 208, or the Blair-Hughes-Stanton woodcut that illustrated the dedicatory poem in some copies. Here, page XV is mispaginated as "VIII".

The card was printed by Lawrence when he left the Royal Air Force in 1935, intending to mark his entry into a quieter life. He was dead within a few months.