First trade edition, first impression of T.E. Lawrence's classic memoir Seven Pillars of Wisdom, in the original dust jacket.

T.E. Lawrence (1888-1935) had already become a legendary figure in the public imagination following his extraordinary military and diplomatic career in Arabia during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire. The first draft of Seven Pillars, his autobiographical account of the period, was completed by November 1919, but was soon lost, according to the author, at 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).

First trade edition, first impression; 4to (26 x 20.5 cm); portrait frontispiece, 47 plates, 4 folding maps printed in red and black, in-text illustrations, some light spotting; publisher's brown cloth, spine lettered in gilt, gilt scimitar centrepiece to upper board, edges uncut, in the original unclipped printed dust jacket, toned and lightly foxed with several short tears to edges and some chipping with loss, a very good copy.