Seven Pillars of Wisdom - 1926
This is Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence's own account of his role in the Arab revolt, which culminated in the taking of Damascus on 1st October 1918. At the peak of this campaign, a Turkish army numbering 14,000 men was effectively paralysed by an Arab army less than 3,000 strong.
The book was published as a limited edition of 120 in 1926, selling for 30 guineas (£31.50). Apart from the Oxford Times proof (8 copies), it was the only edition published during Lawrence's lifetime. The subscribed copies immediately acquired a resale value of £500-£600, but the cost of producing it almost bankrupted Lawrence himself.
Lavishly illustrated, including contributions by Paul Nash, the volume is bound in pigskin and pagination concludes at p. 659, followed by supplementary illustrations. The surviving copies are much sought after collector's items, usually attracting about £20,000 at auction, or nearer £30,000 if signed by the likes of Feysal.
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