Costs escalate

However, as 1924 drew to a close, and with much work still to be done, it became increasingly obvious that subscriptions of 30 guineas a copy would in no way be sufficient to cover the costs, which escalated as Lawrence repeatedly revised each proof and added to the illustrations. The reproduction of the illustrations alone was to cost more than the subscriptions would bring in, and the book could certainly not have been produced in the splendour Lawrence envisaged without the help of Buxton and Martins Bank. As a security against his overdraft, Lawrence assigned to the bank the rights to publish an abridgement, to be approved by Hogarth as his literary executor, in the event of his death or disappearance. In view of earlier offers made by publishers - Cape had been prepared to advance £7,000 in 1922, and Lawrence claimed an offer of £30,000 from Hodder & Stoughton - he considered this should be sufficient to cover fully any charges still outstanding against his accounts.

Next section - Abridgement contract

The writing of Seven Pillars of Wisdom - full listing