Thomas Lawrence
n.p., January 15, 1926
T. E. Lawrence of Arabia ALS Expressing His Admiration for Dostoevsky
ALS

An autograph letter signed by Thomas E. Lawrence, using his pseudonym. 1p, measuring 7" x 9", n.p., dated January 15, 1926. Addressed to John B. Acres and signed with his pseudonym "T.E.S." for T. E. Shaw. Lawrence discusses his admiration for Russian author Dostoevsky and recommends several books to his friend. The letter has flattened mail folds with light toning and scattered soiling. Some creasing at the corners. Boldly signed by Lawrence. Housed in a custom-made, leatherbound presentation folder. The folder has some wear and is slightly bowed.

The letter in full:
?Your letter upon Dostoevsky was most excellent. I?ve always believed him the greatest of the Russians: though he never achieved an epic like 'War and Peace.' He never aimed at the epic manner. When I'm forced to describe the [Brothers] Karamazov in a word I say ?A fifth gospel.? It is that intense preoccupation with supra-moral goodness, Christ-like-ness, which marks him so strangely. An epileptic and ex-convict, he drew always from his own experience and feelings. That?s why his books are full of neuroses: and his characters so often criminal. There is a sameness too: for D. lived over-much within himself. Not many people are happy enough to strike the balance between inside and outside, and achieve a harmony. Andr? Gide?s book on Dostoevsky was not good. He tried to make him into a Protestant (Gide is a French Protestant) and didn?t get to grips with his real powers and depths. Few Frenchmen could. They are too dapper to feel as untidily and recklessly as the Russians. Here ended Friday's letter. A wire intervenes. A week-end. I must send you more of D. but take a rest between whiles. Have you read Lost Souls? (Gogol). I think you spoke of it to me once. This was written on Monday. I give up trying to write. There are two or three books here waiting for fine weather, brown paper, and string, before venturing to Oxford. Nothing earth-shaking or portentous, like The Karamazovs: but man cannot live entirely on either dynamite or beef. Not this week-end at Oxford. I'm for Welwyn, on business, if the roads clear. Zero here on Sat. Night. My mind is frozen. Good luck.?

Thomas E. Lawrence (1888-1935) was a British archaeologist, military officer, diplomat, and writer who became renowned for his role in the Arab Revolt (1916?1918) and the Sinai and Palestine Campaign (1915?1918) against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War. His exploits earned him international fame following the 1962 film "as Lawrence of Arabia" which was based on his wartime activities. Lawrence had a profound appreciation of Russian author Dostoevsky and held him among his most revered authors and took much inspiration from his work. While writing the autobiographical "Seven Pillars of Wisdom", Lawrence expressed his desire to write "an English fourth" worthy of sitting on a bookshelf with "The Karamazovs, Zarathustra, and Moby Dick."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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9.25" x 11.75"
PSA LOA