The Secret Lives of Lawrence of Arabia

"The Secret Lives of Lawrence of Arabia" was published in England in 1969; the paperback came out in 1970.  This copy of the book has had as almost an interesting journey as the subject of the book itself:  printed in the U.K, sold in Teheran, brought to New Mexico, bookmarked with a postcard from Texas that had been mailed in Washington, donated in early 2020 to the used book bin at a library 1900 miles away that then put it in its recycling bin.

Front cover of the paperback edition

Back cover showing the prices for the U.K., Australia, 
New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada 

This particular copy of the book was at the Iranian Amalgamated Distribution Agency (I.A.D.A.) located at what was then 151 Avenue Soraya in Teheran  That was also the location for the Mebso Bookshop.   That address is now 151 Khiaban Soraya in Tehran.  

"Primate" page with bookstore stamps 

The price was listed as 90 rial.

"I.A.D.A" Bookstore stamp and price 

Inside the book was a postcard showing:  "President Lyndon B. Johnson & friend by the banks of the Pedernales River."  

 By the river with LBJ and the bull

The postcard was mailed on August 30, 1990 from Washington D.C. to St. John's College in Santa Fe.  Sheila, the sender, writes: "So here's a card from Texas, but not really.  Back in DC, where it's cold & rainy - sound familiar?".  She continues:  "How many fresh seafood dinners have I had?  A. Too many to count.  Have I been to the beach?  A. Yes!!!"  Her missive to Mark and Greg ends with:  "I prefer green mountains to brown ones but miss y'all pow'ful bad.  Love, Sheila".