T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 552

I do not know if you are content with your bargain, as regards those proofs of the Seven Pillars you bought. The first - the only surviving copy, so far as I know - it was cut out because G.B.G. called it very inferior to the rest. Since then, young Barnaik has called it a vital source and the readings look are quite a number of faulty or variant readings. I gave it, as a bundle of loose pages, to one of the Tank Corps fellows, who happened to be my half-section leader whenever we were bench marked, He is now in low water, and is desperately realising his household gods. He wrote and told me, saying I advised him at the sailing agent, telling him not to expect too much, since my fame was only an artificial, filled bubble, and his dreams not the chiming thing. Now I rather fancy your benefaction will make his path easy for life. Don't know how things are... Just spoiled proofs, y'u know. If you can think of any personal gems by which I should lure them more nearly worth what you gave for them, you have only to command me. I'm in your debt for your help to Prance, as much as for the ravished offers to myself. I expect it will take you two or three years to get out the first section of your treasure. I wonder where I shall be then? This address will find me till the end of 1920, probably...and after that I will lie on the heaps of the air ministers who are considerate and human lords. Again I'd like to repeat my thanks. Yours ever (signed) T.H.Shaw