Books

The extremely rare second state of the prospectus for Seven Pillars, probably only 100 prepared and few seem to survive intact. Certainly rare with the component parts of the printed letter and Oxford page. This copy belonged to Harley Granville-Barker, a friend and correspondent of Lawrence. Granville-Barker died in Paris in 1946 and bequeathed this copy to the Meyer-Sassoon Library in Paris. It bears a bookplate regarding the bequest to the inside of front board (with Withdrawn stamp) and four small, neat stamps of the library to various pages. The second state prospectus has the colour plate of Galil Bey and the Kennington line-cut, all as described in O'Brien A036. This copy is together with highly elusive printed letter explaining delay "A fish yet in the sea" O'Brien A037 and also includes a rare, so often now lost, sample Oxford Page just as issued to subscribers at this time taken from one of TEL's eight copies printed. This Oxford page is the end of Chapter 69 of the '22 text. Lawrence had these printed at the Oxford Times in 1922 in an edition of just 8 copies and then in 1926 issued the Subscriber's or Cranwell edition; he broke up one copy of the '22 to give a sheet to each subscriber with this prospectus. All bound in brown buckram by the W.H. Smith bindery and so signed, (used by the Ashendene Press and also to bind the 1932 Bruce Rogers "Odyssey" translated by Lawrence), with a leather label to the spine, bearing the title "The Seven Pillars(Advance Sheets) Lawrence". Some slight rubbing to spine and a few marks to the binding. All internally very clean and has long been in the protective binding which appears near contemporary. Harley Granville-Barker (1877 – 1946) was an English actor, director, playwright, manager, critic, and theorist. He became friendly with Lawrence, and their correspondence is published in a small edition of just 50 copies "Eight Letters from T.E.L." in 1939 and in the Castle Hill Press edition of "More Correspondence with Writers" in 2014. In these letters Lawrence discusses the "Seven Pillars" printing. Granville-Barker had been loaned copy iii of the Oxford text and became a Subscriber to the '26, obviously being sent the Prospectus with the letter and Oxford page in 1925. Please contact us if you require any further information on this item.

"Seven Pillars of Wisdom" is an autobiographical account by T.E. Lawrence, also known as Lawrence of Arabia, chronicling his experiences during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire in World War I. Lawrence, an English scholar and military officer, played a pivotal role in leading Arab forces in their revolt against Ottoman rule. The narrative begins with Lawrence's journey across the Arabian desert, delving into the complexities of Arab tribal politics, culture, and the landscape. It highlights his efforts to unite disparate Arab factions under a common cause — the fight for independence against Ottoman domination. Lawrence's narrative captures his personal involvement in the revolt, including his leadership in successful guerrilla campaigns, attacks on Ottoman supply lines, and strategic warfare alongside Arab leaders such as Emir Faisal and Sherif Ali. His tactics emphasized surprise attacks and mobility, making use of the desert terrain to outmaneuver the Ottoman forces. The title "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" references Lawrence's description of the varied aspects that formed his beliefs and guiding principles during this tumultuous time. These "pillars" represent themes such as courage, loyalty, diplomacy, military strategy, and the challenges faced in reconciling conflicting interests among the Arab tribes. The book delves into Lawrence's reflections on the moral dilemmas inherent in war, the challenges of leadership, and his own psychological struggles. It offers a vivid portrayal of the harsh desert landscape, the Arab culture, and the alliances and betrayals within the Arab tribes and among the European powers vying for control in the region. Lawrence's prose is rich with detailed descriptions, historical insights, and intimate observations of the people and places he encountered. "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" remains not just a historical document but also a literary masterpiece that provides a profound understanding of the Arab Revolt and the intricate socio-political dynamics of the Middle East during World War I.