[Lawrence, T.E.]

SUBSCRIBER'S or "CRANWELL" EDITION, ONE OF 170 COMPLETE COPIES (from a total edition of 211 copies), INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR "COMPLETE COPY | 1.XII.26 TES." on p.XIX, 4to (251 by 186mm.), single additional manuscript correction to the illustration list, printed in red and black, 66 plates (mostly in colour and including the Prickly pear plate) and 58 illustrations in the text (one coloured), by Roberts, Kennington, Nash, Nicholson and others, 4 folding coloured maps, decorative initials by Edward Wadsworth, CONTEMPORARY TANNED GOATSKIN BY SANGORSKI & SUTCLIFFE POSSIBLY SUPPLIED BY THE AUTHOR, spine in compartments, endpapers by Kennington, gilt edges, quarter brown morocco slipcase with marbled boards, collector’s brown cloth folding case, creases to first folding map

O'Brien A040; see also Rob Shepherd, The Cinderella of the Arts (London, 2015), pp. 90-92

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."

A FINE COPY OF THE LIMITED EDITION OF LAWRENCE OF ARABIA'S EPIC MASTERPIECE, in which he "reveals how by sheer willpower he made history" (ODNB).

THIS COPY BOUND IN GOATSKIN TANNED IN NORTH AFRICA, POSSIBLY SUPPLIED BY LAWRENCE. In The Cinderella of the Arts (London, 2015), Rob Shepherd writes "The choice of a native tanned goatskin for the binding... raises an interesting question. Native tanned goatskins from North Africa and surrounding regions are easily distinguished from the finely finished skins produced by European tanneries... The rudimentary nature of the tanning process, with knife marks from the thinning process clearly visible on the back board, suggests that Lawrence may well have supplied the leather for this copy himself, a skin he perhaps brought back with him from his travels... It is hard to imagine in normal circumstances that the bindery would have chosen to use such a rough skin, yet in context of this book and the exploits of its extraordinary author, the choice is entirely appropriate".

Loosely inserted in this copy is a single fold printed appeal by the Lawrence of Arabia committee for a "Lawrence of Arabia Memorial" (London, 1935, first English edition; [O'Brien E068]). This appeal was to raise funds for a memorial in St Paul's cathedral. The distinguished committee listed at the end of the text were F.M. Allenby, Herbert Baker, Winston Churchill, Lionel Curtis, Augustus John, G. Bernard Shaw, and Evelyn Wrench.