T. E. Lawrence Seven Pillars of Wisdom Exhibition Catalogue 1927 | Leicester Galleries: Original 1927 Leicester Galleries catalogue for the exhibition of paintings, drawings and woodcuts illustrating T. E. Lawrence’s Seven Pillars of Wisdom, with prefaces by Bernard Shaw and Lawrence.

London: Ernest Brown & Phillips, The Leicester Galleries, Leicester Square, 1927. Third edition.

Small exhibition catalogue issued for the Leicester Galleries exhibition held in the Reynolds Room, 5–21 February 1927, shortly before the publication of Revolt in the Desert. The exhibition gathered original works produced for, or associated with, Lawrence’s privately printed Seven Pillars of Wisdom, including works by Eric Kennington, Augustus John, William Roberts, Paul Nash, Henry Lamb, Colin Gill, Cosmo Clark, R. M. Young and others.

The catalogue includes prefaces by Bernard Shaw and T. E. Lawrence, the latter drawn from Lawrence’s earlier note on Kennington’s Arab portraits. It also contains two photographic plates: Eric Kennington’s bust of T. E. Lawrence and Augustus John’s portrait of H. M. King Feysal of Irak. The catalogue lists 61 exhibits, including portraits, drawings, pastels, woodcuts, watercolours and designs relating to Lawrence, the Arab Revolt and the visual culture surrounding Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

Of particular interest is the full-page Jonathan Cape advertisement for Revolt in the Desert, announcing publication on 10 March, describing the forthcoming volume as containing 450 pages and 16 illustrations, and noting that the first edition was already heavily subscribed. This places the catalogue at the intersection of Lawrence bibliography, modern British art, exhibition history and the commercial launch of Lawrence’s first widely available book.

Original grey printed wrappers, stapled as issued but with staple removed to lessen rust damage. 28 pages, including advertisements, plus 2 plates. Size: 11.2 × 14.4 cm.

Condition: Very good overall. Light toning and handling wear to wrappers, minor edge wear and small marks, minor staple rust residue, but internally clean and complete. A well-preserved example of a fragile exhibition catalogue.

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