"A book worth reading is worth buying."
— John Ruskin

London: Jonathan Cape, 1935. [Arabian Travel] FIRST TRADE EDITION, following the privately published edition of 1926. Quarto (27 x 20cm), pp.672. With 54 plates and four folding maps. Complete with appendices and index. Attractively bound in tan half morocco with raised bands and gilt titles to contrasting burgundy and green labels. Further gilt decoration to spine. Brown cloth over boards, blocked with gilt crossed scimitars and motto. Top edge brown, others untrimmed. Very light occasional spotting. Near fine in a smart modern binding. '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. 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. Item #55653
Price: £395.00