London, Jonathan Cape, 1935
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 1926.
'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, sustained by his faith in the Arabs, successively overcoming physical and moral obstacles...' (ODNB).
Third English edition, limited issue, number 118 of 750 copies, 4to, 4 folding maps, 54 portrait illustrations, patterned endpapers; publisher's pigskin-backed, brown buckram boards, gilt, gilt crossed swords device to upper cover upper cover, some wear to spine, corners rubbed, a good copy.
O'Brien AO41.
'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, sustained by his faith in the Arabs, successively overcoming physical and moral obstacles...' (ODNB).
Third English edition, limited issue, number 118 of 750 copies, 4to, 4 folding maps, 54 portrait illustrations, patterned endpapers; publisher's pigskin-backed, brown buckram boards, gilt, gilt crossed swords device to upper cover upper cover, some wear to spine, corners rubbed, a good copy.
O'Brien AO41.
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