Lot 172
  • 172

[Lawrence, T.E.]

Estimate
30,000 - 40,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • [Lawrence, T.E.]
  • Seven Pillars of Wisdom. A Triumph. [Privately Printed, 1926]
  • paper
4to (251 by 188mm.), the Subscriber's or "Cranwell" edition, one of 170 complete copies (from a total edition of 211 copies) (annotated “Complete copy. | 1.XII.26 TES." on p.XIX), single additional manuscript correction to the illustration list, printed in red and black, 66 plates (mostly in colour) and 58 illustrations in the text (one coloured), by Roberts, Kennington, Nash, Nicholson and others, 4 folding coloured maps, decorative initials by Edward Wadsworth, original brown morocco, gilt on covers, spine gilt in compartments, endpapers by Kennington, collector’s matching brown cloth folding box, some slight spotting to untrimmed edges, very slight foxing to text in one gathering

Literature

O'Brien A040

Condition

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."

Catalogue Note

The limited edition of Lawrence's epic masterpiece. in which he "reveals how by sheer willpower he made history" (Oxford DNB). 

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..." (Oxford DNB).
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