T. E. Lawrence

ALS signed “T. E. Shaw,” one page, 7 x 4.5, The Ladies' Empire Club letterhead, October 3, 1932. Handwritten letter to "Lady Young," the wife of English soldier and colonial administrator Hubert Young, author of The Independent Arab, a part-memoir, part-travelogue detailing his diplomatic and military time in the Middle East. In full: "I have just heard from Hubert that you are probably in London. I would like to see you, if possible, but tomorrow is my last day here. If you are free (not a meal, and not tonight after 5 p.m.)—kunst di fuge—will you send a word to No. 2 Smith Square, S.W.1. (Sir Herbert Baker's house) where messages are collected for me." In very good to fine condition, with scattered light foxing, and a rusty paperclip impression to the upper left corner.

This letter dates to the final chapter of T. E. Lawrence’s life, when the famed 'Lawrence of Arabia' was living quietly following his celebrated—and controversial—role in the Arab Revolt. Having retreated from public life into the ranks of the Royal Air Force under the name T. E. Shaw, Lawrence carefully guarded his privacy while maintaining select friendships within Britain’s political and diplomatic circles.