First (or Cranwell) edition, published for subscribers. One of 32 so called 'incomplete' copies for presentation, inscribed and initialled by Lawrence to that effect on page XIX "Incomplete copy, 1.xii.26. TES". Author's presentation copy to E.M. Forster, touchingly inscribed on the front endpaper, "E.M.F from T.E.S. Not good enough, but as good, apparently, as I can do. 1.xii.26". With a later inscription by Forster to his last lover, the policeman, Bob Buckingham, "R.J. Buckingham from E.M. Forster 20-1-68". Corrected and annotated by Forster in pencil throughout. Publisher's full tan calf by Sangorski & Suttcliffe with elaborate gilt ruled borders to covers, and titles in gilt to spine and upper cover. All edges gilt.WITH:Thirty pages of typescript and one of pencil manuscript by Forster on his West Hackhurst notepaper. These sheets represent the text from the longer 1922 Oxford text which had been cut by Lawrence for publication, but which Forster believed added to the overall narrative. Each sheet carries a page reference for insertion into the 1926 text.Also Some Notes on the Writing of The Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T.E. Shaw ([1927]), with a manuscript correction by Lawrence. Endpapers by Eric Kennington. Frontispiece of King Feysal by Augustus John, 62 plates (mostly colour) and 58 text illustrations by John, Kennington, Williams Roberts, Paul Nash, Blair Hughes-Stanton, William Nicholson and others. Four fold-out colour maps (two maps duplicated). A near fine copy with minor wear to the corners, but extremely well preserved.

An extraordinarily significant and resonant association copy of the author's magnum opus and one of the "greatest books written in the English language." [Winston Churchill]
Lawrence first met Forster in February 1921 and over the following years their friendship prospered. When in 1922 Lawrence had eight copies of his latest draft of The Seven Pillars printed by the Oxford Times, for the purpose of loaning them to his literary friends to gauge reaction, Forster was among this select group of recipients.
"E.M. Forster was one of the most influential readers of Seven Pillars of Wisdom during the time that Lawrence was cutting down the 1922 'Oxford' text to the abridged version that he issued to subscribers in 1926. Forster offered far more than general praise and admiration. He provided expert criticism of specific writing faults. The two became friends and remained in contact until Lawrence's death in 1935... For Forster, Lawrence was one of the few friends he could trust to read his writings on homosexual themes. Lawrence said things about his war experiences to Forster that he said to no-one else. Stripped of reserve over conventional taboos, the friendship was genuine – and important to both parties." - Jeremy Wilson (T.E. Lawrence, Correspondence with E.M.Forster and F.L. Lucas)
Lawrence's revision and significant contraction of the text for publication to a larger audience in 1926 divided opinion. Robert Graves and George Bernard Shaw preferred the 1922 text, others including Forester, the 1926 text. In 1931 Forster made an exhaustive comparative study of the two texts, the typescript insertions with his own copy doubtless being a product of that study. He concluded, "I had to admit that the sentences in the revision were more concise and distinguished and showed a superior sense for the functions, and incidentally for the etymology, of the words employed in them. But the relation between the sentences seemed to me a little impaired: the correction, though logical, wasn't always easy."
Following Lawrence's death, Forster was appointed to oversee an edition of Lawrence's letters. He eventually gave up the project in 1937 fearing possible libel actions and the work was completed by David Garnett.
For the publication of this edition Lawrence prepared 170 'complete' copies which were sold to subscribers and some 32 'incomplete' copies, effectively extras made up lacking plates to be used by Lawrence for presentation. This copy is the most complete of any we can locate, lacking only the final Kennington plate from those usually issued in the complete copies.
It is evident both by the time and study Forster had committed to the book and by the high regard in which he held both work and author, that this book was one of the most treasured possessions in his library. In 1969, in failing health he presented it to his friend and lover, Bob Buckingham, novelist and policeman, who first met Forster in 1930 and whose relationship with him lasted until his death some forty years later.
"For round this tent-pole of a military chronicle, T. E. has hung an unexampled fabric of portraits, descriptions, philosophies, emotions, adventures, dreams" - E.M. Forster (Abinger Harvest)

PROVENANCE: E.M.Forster (1879-1970, presentation inscription from the author); Bob Buckingham (presentation inscription from Forster).

O'Brien A040, A039

Stock ID: 31137