T. E. Lawrence
British archaeologist, military officer, and diplomat, 1888-1935
T. E. Lawrence was renowned for his liaison role during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign, and the Arab Revolt against Ottoman Turkish rule of 1916–18. The breadth and variety of his activities and associations, and his ability to describe them vividly in writing, earned him international fame as Lawrence of Arabia – a title used for the 1962 film based on his First World War activities. It depicts Lawrence's experiences in the Arabian Peninsula during World War I, in particular his attacks on Aqaba and Damascus and his involvement in the Arab National Council.
Source: Wikipedia
British explorer, intelligence officer, and writer (1888-1935). Autograph letter signed ("TE Shaw"). Southampton. 4 pp. 8vo. Double sheet. With autograph envelope.
$ 4,037 / 3.500 €
(83603)
To Albert Yarwood at his shipbuilding company in Northwich, Cheshire, chiefly referring to progress on H.M.S. Auxiliary Aquarius, "I've had letters from Singapore about the Aquarius, which seems to have been adopted as a Station Pet! If she does half what they ask of her, she will be a wonder ship. The only criticism so far is that she is a bit hot, in the engine room. So I suppose the poor old chief is still sweating! He'll qualify for a jockey in two or three years time"; also discussing at length a new way of creating a new floor of mahogany sawdust for his cottage, Clouds Hill, in Dorset, where Yarwood supplied materials.
British explorer, intelligence officer, and writer (1888-1935). Typed document signed ("T. E. Shaw A/C" and "Arnold Green"). No place. 05.09.1933. Folio (13 x 8 inches). 2 pp.
$ 5,191 / 4.500 €
(33832/BN29401)
Brake Horse Power Test Sheet for a 8/28 h.p. engine. The document dates from Aircraftsman Shaw's second spell with the Air Force. It is completed with technical data including water temperature‚ oil pressure‚ etc. Marked "Air Ministry Engine Under Trial"‚ it apparently relates to the testing of the marine engines of the type installed in powered dinghies used for ferrying air and ground crews to moored flying boats and for general coastal duties. An intriguing document from his later Air Force days, and a splendid document late in life, when Lawrence was working on speed boats and motors.
British explorer, intelligence officer, and writer (1888-1935). Autograph letter signed ("TE Shaw"). Clouds Hill, Dorset. 4to 1 p.
$ 10,958 / 9.500 €
(47164/BN31849)
To Mr. Richard: "Your request rather worries me. My writing has no literary pretension, but has attracted notice since people have told stories about my oddness, making me out a romantic person - and it is considered curious that such a one should wish to write. Your paper is meant, you say, to be rather good. If so, why strain after a contribution from the merely notorious? I think I must wait till I have bought your first number + judged it for myself [...]".
British explorer, intelligence officer, and writer (1888-1935). Autograph letter signed ("TE Shaw"). Southampton. 18.07.1934. 8vo. 2 pp. and 2 lines on bifolium.
$ 32,298 / 28.000 €
(47272/BN32099)
"Dear Lady Young I wonder if you (and His Ex.) are still there? Your letter to me sat at 2 Smith Square (Sir H. B. not knowing my whereabouts) till last night, when I called and collected it. I am sorry. Most of my addresses are like that. Would you be so good as to register | T.E. Shaw | Clouds Hill | Moreton | Dorset | as my likeliest spot, in future? It represents my cottage on the heath, which will be home after March when the RAF bring themselves, not reluctantly, to dispense with my help? I'm sorry not to have seen you.
I wanted, while you were yet in Nyasa-land, to beg of His Ex. The rectangular skin of a small (1 sq. yard) lion, for my hearth-rug. But Ronald Storrs whom I saw at Southampton about a month ago told me you had been promoted to his province, and that there were no lions. Ronald was physically a very sick man. Mentally he was fighting hard to keep brisk…too hard for his health, I fear. The wreck of an old companion is too near a sight for sorrow, even. I hope Africa suits, after your trial of Asia and Europe. My respects to the Governor! Tell him I saw the fraudulent Abdulla, the other day. Exactly as he was, body & mind. Now, that's the way. / Yours sincerely TE Shaw / A poor letter: but I picture you again in Africa, and my squib spluttering in the void". - Between 1916 to 1918, Abdullah I of Jordan worked with the British guerrilla leader T. E. Lawrence (with whom he had actually never jarred), and played a key role as architect and planner of the Great Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule, leading guerrilla raids on garrisons. From 1921 until his assassination in 1951, Abdullah ruled Jordan, first as Emir under a British Mandate from 1921 to 1946, then as King of an independent nation from 1946 onwards..
British explorer, intelligence officer, and writer (1888-1935). Autograph letter signed ("TE Shaw"). Plymouth. 10.06.1931. 4to. 1 p.
$ 14,419 / 12.500 €
(47593/BN32255)
To a Mr. Bain, apparently a bookseller: "I am unfortunate: I need one of my own rotten books - a Revolt in the Desert, any late edition. Can you find one cheap? Send me those Irish Memories, too, about which you sent me a chit ... and are there any of S. Sassoon's skits on Wolfe (Pinchbeck Lyre's) to be got? Any edition. I wanted two. There is also a book called 'Juan in America' which I must read. Nothing else, I hope [...]". - Traces of folds.
Archäologe, Geheimagent und Schriftsteller (1888-1935). Autograph letter signed. ("TEShaw"). O. O. 02.05.1930. 1½ SS. 4to.
$ 7,498 / 6.500 €
(82570/BN53741)
To the politician Ernest Thurtle, acknowledging his success in abolishing the British Army's death penalty to punish crimes such as desertion or cowardice: "Then the Lords gave me a fright. Lord Allenby too, whom I like and admire. Surely if I had been in London, able to see him, he would at least have kept silence - if not supported you. Yet doesn't it make you surer you were right, to see all the General Staff opposing you? In the end you downed the Lords, as you had downed the Government. I feel it is a blessed victory.
The old state of law hurt me. It was such a damnable judgement upon our own flesh & blood [...] I haven't really said thank you for all you did: because I feel that it was only your duty really. People who care anything at all about their countries don't like to see them fouling themselves [...]". - After over 300 British soldiers had been executed by firing squad following brief trials during World War I, Thurtle had first introduced his measure for the law's abolition in 1924. - A few small marginal tears to the folds..