T. E. Lawrence — Seven Pillars of Wisdom

London, Jonathan Cape, 1935 . First edition. Cloth. A wonderful example of the first trade edition of T. E. Lawrence's account of his experiences during the First World War, illustrated throughout, and in the original dust wrapper. The first trade edition, first impression, following a privately printed edition in 1926. The first issue, with the line illustrations at pages 304-305 misprinted in the illustrations list as 302-303, as called for.In the publisher's original unclipped dust wrapper.T. E. Lawrence's fascinating account of his experienced serving as a Colonel in the British Army as a military adviser to Bedouin forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, from 1916 to 1918. Illustrated with a frontispiece, forty-seven illustrated plates, and four folding maps. Collated, complete.Contemporary inscription of John Deedes of Heswell, 1935 to the front pastedown. With a loosely inserted 1991 copy of Lawrence's 1953 death certificate present.Also loosely inserted are two copies of the 'Lawrence of Arabia Memorial' pamphlet, a solicitation pamphlet that was sent out in 1935 as an appeal to raise funds for the St Paul's Cathedral memorial to T. E. Lawrence, which was successfully installed in 1936. The committee included Winston Churchill, Lionel Curtis, Augustus John, G. Bernard Shaw and Evelyn Wrench, all of whom were friends, colleagues and admirers of Lawrence. A lovely first edition of this work, which was adapted into the 1962 motion picture 'Lawrence of Arabia&apos. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with unclipped dust wrapper. A touch of fading to back strip and perimeters of front board, otherwise externally excellent. Inscription to front pastedown. Loosely inserted are two copies of the 'Lawrence of Arabia Memorial' pamphlet, both in very good condition indeed, and lightly age toned to perimeters. Chipping to back strip head and tail of dust wrapper, with significant closed tears to centre of back strip, and with hole to centre of rear wrap. Paper restorations to dust wrapper reverse at back strip head and tail. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and generally clean, with the odd spot to page perimeters. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good Indeed/Very Good.