Seven Pillars of Wisdom. A Triumph.

First trade edition of Lawrence of Arabia's narrative of the Arab Revolt, in a handsome Cosway-style binding executed for the British luxury purveyors, Asprey. "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 followed the unprocurable Oxford Times edition of 1922, of which there were just 8 copies printed, and the 1926 Cranwell edition, of which only 170 copies were designated complete for subscribers. O'Brien A042. Quarto (243 x 186 mm). Photogravure portrait frontispiece of Lawrence from the plaster bust, 47 plates (4 colour with tissue guards), 3 facsimiles, 4 maps in red and black, illustrations in text. Bound in the latter 20th century for Asprey in the Cosway style in brown morocco, spine lettered and tooled in gilt, hand-coloured miniature of Lawrence under glass to front cover, gilt border to covers, gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers, gilt edges. Housed in Asprey's brown quarter morocco solander box. A fine copy.