LAWRENCE. THE MINT, TYPESCRIPT, 1928

Typescript, carbon copy, with manuscript additions in blue ink to at least 12 pages, ranging from a few words to full sentences, and with corrections in blue ink to at least another 90 pages, three preliminaries followed by 235 numbered pages, lightly labelled in pencil ("Set III"), large post 4to (260 x 200mm), two paper stocks (the first 63 pages with Kingsway Bond watermark), [April-May 1928], loose in green wrappers, the recto of the upper wrapper with ownership inscription of David Garnett dated May 1928, the verso with a cancelled note ("There are four copies of this book: The M.S. belonging to Edward Garnett & three typewritten copies"), in a custom-made folding box by Sangorski and Sutcliffe in blue morocco gilt

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, 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."

THE EARLIEST OBTAINABLE TYPESCRIPT VERSION OF LAWRENCE'S RECORD OF LIFE IN THE RAF. Like other works by Lawrence, The Mint has a complex textual history. The bulk of the text was written in 1922 but in 1927 he started reworking his raw notes, literally dismantling his original manuscript, of which only small fragments survive. He gave his final typescript to his friend Edward Garnett, asking him to offer it to Jonathan Cape, for whom he acted as a reader, on condition that it be published unexpurgated. Lawrence knew that the barrack-room obscenities would make this impossible, hoped this would free him from the clause in his contract for Revolt in the Desert tying him to offer Cape another book. Garnett received Lawrence's heavily revised typescript on 18 April 1928, and four days later he hailed the book a masterpiece: "It's elastic, sinewy, terse; and spirit and matter are the inside-out of its technique, perfectly harmonious throughout - inseparable, as in all first-rate stuff" (Wilson, Lawrence of Arabia, p.824). This is one of three typescripts produced by Edward Garnett on receipt of Lawrence's heavily revised typescript (which is now at the Houghton Library, Harvard). It is the copy he gave to his son, the novelist David Garnett, the only person that Lawrence gave permission to be shown the text (see Wilson, p.821). Despite Lawrence's original strictures, the text soon began to circulate more widely within select literary circles. Lawrence also continued to tinker with the text in subsequent years. In 1936 a copyright edition was produced in just 50 copies based on the 1928 text, whereas the 1955 expurgated edition incorporated Lawrence's later revisions.