T.E. Lawrence to his Biographers Robert Graves & Liddell Hart. Two Volumes.
New York: Doubleday Doran, 1938. First Printing of the First Edition. This two volume set of Lawrence's letters to his two biographers is limited to 500 sets for sale in the US. Original slipcase is present with some signs of wear toning. The Robert Graves volume is signed by Graves; The Liddell Hart volume is signed by Hart. Both volumes are Near Fine, top edges gilt, with a previous owner's name penciled on the front pastedown in Very Good plus dust jackets with age darkening to the spines; offsetting to the front panel of the Hart volume and to the rear panel of the Graves volume. The letters from Lawrence to Graves and Hart concern both private matters and question-and-answer aspects about Lawrence's Middle East campaign and his mammoth survey of the subject, the famous Seven Pillars. The Graves book attempts comments on Lawrence's "chameleon-like character". Lawrence himself offers, in many playfully profound passages, a sometimes stunning self-analysis, but generally he seems to "love" his legend- and he was a legend then just as much as he is now. He says: "I'd wish every man to be an everlasting question mark". The Hart book is more factual, brimming with blueprint recapitulations of the battles and machinations, both political and military, behind the Arab Revolt. No, neither book solves the enigma of the Mystery Man of Mecca, but almost every page offers entertaining and endless "clues" Item #23669
Price: $995.00 save 20% $796.00