Mint by Lawrence T E, Signed (2 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No jacket. Jonathan Cape, 1955, limited to 2000 copies for sale. Hardback, slip-case, 4to, [ii],206pp. Light foxing/spotting to blank pages. Quarter blue morocco, top edge gilt, slip-case a little tanned and marked. (This an un-number Presentation copy, with printed slip "from G. WREN HOWARD" laid in.) A good copy. /1.2uk . (Please note that our condition gradings are stricter than those of Abebooks and many other sellers. There may therefore be a discrepancy between this description and its listed condition grading).

First edition, limited issue of Lawrence's semi-autobiographical account of his R.A.F. training days. Quarto, original quarter morocco, patterned endpapers, top edge gilt with others uncut. One of 2000 numbered copies, this is number 1039. Although not called for this example is signed by A.W. Lawrence on the limitation page (T.E. Lawrence's brother who edited and contributed to introductory notes to this volume). Near fine in the rare original slipcase which is in very good condition. Bookplate. Rare and desirable. Following World War I, despite having previously held a senior rank, Lawrence disappeared from public view by enlisting in the Royal Air Force as 351087 Aircraftman Ross. THE Mint covers his initial training and part of his service, likening RAF training to a coin factory--the men are "The Raw Material" put through "the Mill' that mints them into soldiers. The books was published posthumously according to Lawrence's wishes and shocked many of his contemporaries.