Lot 108: WELLS, H.G. (1866-1946). Autograph letter signed ("H.G.") to T.E. Lawrence ("My Dear Shaw who was

WELLS, H.G. (1866-1946). Autograph letter signed ("H.G.") to T.E. Lawrence ("My Dear Shaw who was Lawrence"), 4 Whitehall Court, 17 May 1927. 2 pages, 4to.

Wells thanks Lawrence for sending a subscriber's copy of Seven Pillars of Wisdom and cursing collectors of books: "Damn collectors, who make a man hide in a safe, the glory of his library! They will steal. One cannot trust one's home... I am stricken & defeated. I really did not think God could hurt me very badly--me being a Cockney & elastic but he has found a way to do so. That little wife of mine who is a part of my past, a part of myself, who was clambering about on ski this winter, is suddenly found to be in an advanced state of cancer. She has probably less than a year to live & some of that may be painful... I am writing a book of treason called The Open Conspiracy and shall send that to you myself." Published in Letters to T.E. Lawrence ("A notebook, in which T.E.L. entered particulars of the first 98 applicants, lists Wells as Accepted 12-vii-24 [not paid, nor asked to pay], but on the final summary of recipients his name appears among the Subscribers").