Seven Pillars of Wisdom. a triumph. T. E. Lawrence. [First Numbered Limited Trade Edition – Publisher’s Quarter Pigskin Binding]

London: Jonathan Cape. 1935. First Numbered Limited Trade Edition. Publisher’s original quarter pigskin binding, with gilt titles to the spine and gilt crossed scimitar motif to front cloth board reading 'The sword also means clean-ness + death'. Original patterned endpapers. Page top edges gilt, others untrimmed. With 54 plates and four folding maps. Complete with appendices and index. First published edition, limited to 750 copies, of which this is no. 725. 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph' is the autobiographical account of the experiences of T.E. Lawrence ('Lawrence of Arabia') while serving as a liaison officer with rebel forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks of 1916 to 1918. Lawrence didn't believe the text would be of interest to the public in general and first only allowed limited publications for friends (in 1922) and subscribers (in 1926). The author vowed "No further issue of the Seven Pillars will be made in my lifetime" when he faced bankruptcy following the privately printed edition of 1926. This first trade issue therefore followed in 1935, within weeks of Lawrence's tragic motorcycle accident. Lawrence was very involved in the production of the Seven Pillars. To be able to finance the project he authorised Jonathan Cape to publish a heavily abridged and simplified version called "Revolt in the Desert" in 1927. A handsome copy of this noted work, by Churchill called "one of the greatest books ever written in the English language". Pagination: 672pp. With 51 full page plates, of which 4 coloured, 3 facsimile manuscripts and 4 folding maps. Provenance: no inscriptions or bookplates. Approximately 10 ¼ inches (26cm) tall. Condition Report Externally Spine – very good condition – gilt titles, minor marks and scratches, spine a little sun faded apart from a small area at the base which is the same colour as the board leather. Joints – very good condition – sound, gently rubbed and worn. Corners – very good condition – gently bumped and worn. Boards – very good condition – brown cloth boards with double scimitars to the front board in gilt, unvenely faded. Page edges – good condition – top edge darkened, other edges untrimmed. Binding – very good condition – attractive. See above and photos. Internally Hinges – very good condition – sound, hinge slightly strained to the title page. Paste downs – very good condition – patterned paper. End papers – very good condition – patterned paper. Title – very good condition – gently tanned. Pages – very good condition – browning to the edges, gently tanned throughout. See photos.…