Beschreibung:

LAWRENCE, T.E. The Diary of T.E. Lawrence MCMXI , edited by A.W. Lawrence, [London]: The Corvinus Press, 1937. 4°, woodcut headpiece after Eric Kennington printed in black on onlaid gold leaf, 13 collotype plates after photographs by Lawrence, original brown, crushed seal-skin backed boards by W.H. Smith, the boards with parchment corners, the spine gilt with title and press devices, paper-covered slipcase (spine very lightly rubbed at foot, slipcase lacking back panel), t.e.g., others uncut. Provenance : Sir Stewart and Lady Duke-Elder -- sale, Sotheby's London, 20 July 1989, lot 188. FIRST EDITION. LIMITED TO 203 COPIES, THIS NUMBER 84 OF 130 ON HODGKINSON'S PARCHMENT SUBSTITUTE. Clements pp.28-30; Nash and Flavell 16; O'Brien A194. This work -- 'the most ambitious and beautiful printed by the Corvinus Press' (O'Brien) -- is based on the diary kept by Lawrence during a walking tour to Horran, Urfa, Biredjik, Tell Basher and Aleppo (made in a seasonal break in the archeological excavations in Carchemish); the journey 'was really concerned with his interest in the castles of the area, some of which he had visited in 1909 in connnection with his thesis, and with the collection of engraved seal stones' (Nash and Flavell). To the diary are added the poem 'To T.E.L. February 18th 1914' by the author's brother W.G. Lawrence, and 'Three Letters to Mrs. Lawrence written during the author's journey in Syria'.