LAWRENCE OF ARABIA RELICS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 6 October 1936, Page 5

LAWRENCE OF ARABIA RELICS

♦ SKFTCH BOOK AND PLAINT BOX FOUND (By Air Mail —From A Special Correspondent) LONDON, 12th September. A sketch-book and paint-box belonging to Lawrence of Arabia, lost for some years, have been found in a Weymouth art shop. The book contains several interesting sketches of Eastern scenes, and is thought to be a minor part of Lawrence manuscripts used" in the preparation of “The Seven Pillars of Wisdom.” " ■

Many of these manuscripts were burnt before their value was realised. The relics included two large pencil sketches, as well as Lawrence’s sketch bool: and were originally found by the shopkeeper’s son when he lived in Woodside Cottage, in a room which Lawrence did much of his work when a private in the Tank Corps. With a friend, Corporal Dixon, he hired a room in the owner’s bungalow in which to do literary work.

They spent the best part of the nights in the little room writing. When both left there was a rjass of literature in the room and they asked that it be cleared up. A great quantity of the manuscript left behind was burnt.