Seven Pillars of Wisdom. A Triumph. LAWRENCE, T. E.

First trade edition of Lawrence of Arabia's extraordinary and handsomely produced account of his role in the Arab Revolt. "Lawrence had taken part in the preliminary planning of the Arab uprising and, in October 1916, was ordered to Jiddah to assess the military situation. What followed is recorded in Seven Pillars of Wisdom, a personal, emotional narrative of the Arab revolt in which Lawrence reveals how by sheer willpower he made history. It was a testimony to his vision and persistence and a fulfilment of his desire to write an epic which might stand comparison in scale and linguistic elegance with his beloved Morte d'Arthur and C. M. Doughty's Arabia Deserta. 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" (ODNB). This trade edition follows the unprocurable Oxford Times edition of 1922, of which there were just eight copies printed, and the 1926 Cranwell edition, of which only 170 copies were designated complete for subscribers. O'Brien A042. Quarto (246 x 190 mm). With a portrait frontispiece, 53 plates and 4 folding maps. Finely bound by the Chelsea Bindery in reddish-brown morocco, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, raised bands, single rule to boards gilt, twin rule to turn-ins gilt, dark green endpapers, gilt edges. A fine copy.