Whilst we carry a varied range of collectable books, our favourite specialism is T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia). We are often asked just why this is so. Well, the reasons are as varied as the books relating to Lawrence. My personal interest was first fired whilst excavating a medieval castle site in Yorkshire back in the 1960s and 70s. Upon seeking around for material on castles I came across the splendid Golden Cockerel Press edition of “Crusader Castles” being his thesis on castles in the Middle East. accompanied by the volume of his letters written whilst visiting castle sites in England and Wales. This fired up by these volumes, acquired on inter-library loan, way beyond the means of a 15 year old. I went on to research the man. I found that many interests appeared to overlap, these included a love of fine printing, books, motorcycles and speed as well as the pure pleasure of reading his published letters. Like many other Lawrence enthusiasts I have found that he acts as a conduit to many other personalities, be they writers like David Garnett, Henry Williamson, Siegfried Sassoon, G.B. Shaw, Frederic Manning, or poets like James Elroy Flecker, Robert Graves and many another writer or wonderful characters like George Brough, Lowell Thomas, Liddell Hart or Lord Carlow. Whilst not quite endless the list is long and fascinating.Lawrence collectors are drawn into their interest by many things, the military campaigns of the Arab Revolt, the David Lean film of 1962 or like myself through the historical and literary aspects.
Whatever the means of entry, once in the collection is many and varies, from fabulous and often expensive fine press books through to more mundane biographies and memoirs. You can focus on books, artefact, original letters or exciting ephemeral items.Whatever your field of interest you will find the road ahead littered with byways and crossroads that lead you on a journey that can last a lifetime. So here to whet your appetite are a few images.
