Sassoon, Siegfried--[Lawrence, T.E.]

folio, first edition (first American copyright edition), siegfried sassoon's copy from a.w. lawrence, number 6 of 50 copies, title-page printed in red and black, original half vellum with blue boards, top edge gilt, some minor discoloration to spine

A.W. Lawrence; Siegfried Sassoon

O'Brien A166

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where 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."

one of the rarities in the bibliography of t.e. lawrence

This edition was limited to 50 copies of which 10 were for sale. This copy is numbered "6 UK". The publisher's imprint page carries the note "The property of A.W. Lawrence, c/o Tamplin & Co. Solicitors | 52, Bishopsgate | London, E.C." and the reverse of the front free endpaper carries the pencil note "Lent to Siegfried Sassoon for as long as he likes | A.W. Lawrence."

O'Brien notes that the edition was published on 25 September 1936 at $500,000.

Siegfried Sasoon and T.E. Lawrence were close friends from their first meeting in London just before the First World War until Lawrence's death in 1935. Strongly affected by Lawrence's sudden death Sassoon composed at least two tribute poems, and for a short while shortly afterwards worked on on a screenplay for Revolt in the Desert for Alexander Korda, in which he "wanted to stress the mystical side and to keep the lyricisim of The Seven Pillars" (Max Egremont, Siegfried Sassoon. A Biography). Sassoon had been one of the first readers of the Oxford text of Seven Pillars of Wisdom, and they shared a strong mutual regard for each other's literary output. Sassoon was also a good friend of T.E's brother and literary executor, the archaeologist Arnold Walter Lawrence (1900-1991), as testified to by the inscription in this copy.