T.E. LAWRENCE GOES TO LONDON ON LEAVE  —   “I…SHALL BE VERY GLAD TO LIE IN BED AND FORGET LIFE FOR A SPELL”

LAWRENCE, T(HOMAS) E(DWARD), called Lawrence of Arabia.  (1888-1935).  British adventurer, soldier and author, who mobilized the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I (1914-1918).  Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “T.E.S.” [for T.E. Shaw, one of his many pseudonyms].  One full page, quarto.  “14 Barton St., S.W.1.”, September 17, 1929.  Folds strengthened, else fine condition.  To “Dear Knowles”.  Lawrence writes:

“I move to London on leave tomorrow, and shall be very glad to lie in bed and forget life for a spell.  The apples went down splendidly.  They are one of the good-eating and good-looking brands.  I hope the tree grows huge and bears enormously by 1935.  Roberts has gone back to London to work, I think: but please use the cottage at your discretion to shelter any deserving objects, as they come along.  There will not be many such, I fear.  The winter is coming.  I’m sorry Dick is on foreign draft: but perhaps it is as well to get it over early in his 12.  Then he can enjoy the taste of England, confidently, for his last five or six years.  I tried to get to the Orford, during the Schneider time, to see Brian—but failed.  They worked us unmercifully that fortnight.  Hope to come down to Clouds Hill fairly soon.  T.E.S.” 

$4800.00