Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence - 1997

Magnificent set of materials comprising the special edition of the first publication of Lawrence's original version of Seven Pillars of Wisdom, referred to as the Oxford 1922 edition. The complete 1922 text is bound in two volumes of rich navy goat skin with Ann Muir's hand-marbled endpapers of blue and gold, turn-ins tooled in an elaborate gilt design, all edges gilt. A third volume contains the illustrations from the original 1926 subscribers' edition, numerous photographs, a preface by Jeremy Wilson, a parallel printing of the changes between the 1924 proof and the 1926 text, and is quarter bound in the same goatskin with almond cloth covered boards. A matching cloth covered portfolio contains the two maps put into a pocket in the rest of the edition and a set of proof-portraits in color. All four volumes are contained in a cloth covered slipcase. Typeset by the Castle Hill Press, printed by Cambridge University Press, and bound by The Fine Bindery. (22,433; 14,441) pages for the text. 4to. Number 99 of eighty special sets full bound in goatskin in a limited edition of 752 numbered sets.(An additional twenty sets (numbers 1-20) comprising the extra-special sets in an inlaid binding were also produced.) All three volumes are hand numbered, and each of the proof prints is numbered on the reverse side as well. Fine condition. Some rubbing of blue on inside of slipcase, not affecting books.