T.E. Lawrence—Corvinus Press | Letters from T.E. Shaw to Viscount Carlow, 1936

T.E. Lawrence

Letters from T.E. Shaw to Viscount Carlow. Corvinus Press, 1936

FIRST EDITION, COPY NUMBER 6 OF 17 COPIES, one of only two copies printed on thistledown paper, 8vo, original burgundy stained limp vellum with silk ties, lettered on upper board, top edge gilt, others plain, housed in original card slipcase (numbered "6." on lower wrapper), ties fraying and loose, some wear to slipcase, otherwise a very good copy

One of the rarest books printed by the Corvinus Press, produced for presentation only. This volume reprints four letters sent by Lawrence to his friend Viscount Carlow, two of which were published in The Letters of T.E. Lawrence (nos. 536 & 558); the other two appear to be otherwise unpublished. Lawrence and Carlow developed a friendship in the 1930s, based on shared interests in book-collecting, fine printing, languages, and boats. The pair even discussed establishing a private press together, although this was precluded by Lawrence's premature death. As a trustee of Lawrence's literary estate, Carlow printed seven books by or about Lawrence, including the Corvinus Press's first and second books.

LITERATURE:

Nash and Flavell, The Corvinus Press, 5; O'Brien A193