FIRST EDITION OF T.E. LAWRENCE’S CRUSADER CASTLES

LAWRENCE, T.E. Crusader Castles. Volume I: The Thesis. Volume II: The Letters. (London): Golden Cockerel, 1936. Two volumes. Small quarto, original three-quarter russet morocco, raised bands, top edges gilt, uncut. $3600.

First edition, number 902 of a total edition of 1035 copies (1000 numbered), with numerous illustrations and two folding maps in a laid-in pocket.

"This is the first of the Golden Cockerel volumes of Lawrence's 'literary remains' to be published after his death. Lawrence gathered much of the material for this work on a solitary walking trek in the Near East in the summer of 1909. Lawrence's thesis in this work is counter to the accepted view that improvements in military architecture had been brought back from the Near East by the Crusaders: he believed rather that the improvements had been developed in Europe and taken by Crusaders to the Near East" (O'Brien, 132). Originally written as Lawrence's final examination thesis at Oxford, where he studied history. Lawrence visited many of the important castles in England, Wales, and France, as well as in Syria and Northern Palestine. Without original glassine. Duval 35, 36. O'Brien A188, A189.

A lovely copy in about-fine condition.