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Lawrence of Arabia Lawrence T Homas E Dward (1 results)
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T.E. LAWRENCE a.k.a 'LAWRENCE OF ARABIA' IN A REMARKABLE LETTER REVEALS: ''I DO NOT WRITE. YEARS AND YEARS AGO, IN 1922 TO BE EXACT, I TRIED FOR THE THIRD TIME TO WRITE A BOOK, FAILED AGAIN, AND DECIDED TO PACK UP WRITING FOR GOOD. ONE HAS TO BE BORN TO IT, I FANCY. OLD G.B.S. AND THE REST TURN IT OUT LIKE SAUSAGES. I SWEAT AND SWEAT ''
Publication Date: 1931
Seller: Gerard A.J. Stodolski, Inc. Autographs, Bedford, NH, U.S.A.
Seller Rating:
Manuscript / Paper Collectible
No Binding. Condition: Fine. LAWRENCE, T(HOMAS) E(DWARD) [Lawrence of Arabia]. (1888-1935). British adventurer, soldier and author. Typed Letter Signed, Yours sincerely, T.E. Shaw . One full page, quarto. R.A.F. Mount Batten, Plymouth , October 30, 1931. Very fine condition. To Flight Lieutenant John G. Hawtrey. Accompanied by two letters from Hawtrey to British poet Sigfried Sassoon, sending him Lawrence s letter, and giving the back ground story of how all the events mentioned came to fruition. Lawrence writes: Dear Flight Lieutenant Hawtrey, I am so sorry for the delay in answering your letter. I see it dates from the 12th. First it went to Manston, and then came here; but I was away from both, and so it waited again. Actually I am still at Mount Batten. The visit to Manston was only a visit; a first visit, I hope, but I cannot of course say about North Foreland. It is not likely that your visits there and mine to Manston will ever coincide. Now about the World Explorers . Honestly I can t. One would have to [be] a very serious and important person to be able to write messages to people one did not know. I d rather give them 3/5, a day s pay: it would do them more good. Also I do not write. Years and years ago, in 1922 to be exact, I tried for the third time to write a book, failed again, and decided to pack up writing for good. One has to be born to it, I fancy. Old G.B.S. and the rest turn it out like sausages. I sweat and sweat, and it s a botch. Please explain to S.P.B., who has done some decent stuff of his own, and will understand. Tail Piece after Beachcomber: S[iegfried] S[assoon], a modern and wonderful poet, was staying with Thomas Hardy in Dorchester when a letter arrived from U.S.A., from an unknown American, who enclosed a tiny visiting card, about 1 by ½ , carrying a child s name, and begged to share with T.H. his good news of the birth of a fourth son. Would the distinguished author deign to give the brat a message, to hearten its course in life? Poor T.H. fluttered in distress over this rude invasion of his peace. What, what can I do? he asked the breakfast table. Let me have it said S.S. grimly; and he took the tiny card, wrote Go to Hell in his beautiful script on the back, sealed it, and put it in the post. I often think of that young American child s blasted life, if it reads and acts upon its message from T.H. The seeing you at Manston was unexpected and pleasant. I shall look forward to another surprise, somewhere someday. Yours sincerely, T.E. Shaw . A simply superb grouping., and worthy of inclusion in the best of literary collections, or a highlight inclusion for the Lawrence specialist.
