Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Presented by Willy Pogany, George G. Harrap & Co.

The Rubaiyat is one of the most celebrated works of Victorian literary translation. Although based upon the Persian quatrains traditionally attributed to the eleventh-century mathematician, astronomer and poet Omar Khayyam, Edward FitzGerald's free English rendering became a literary classic in its own right, admired as much for its lyrical beauty as for its meditation upon love, fate, mortality and the fleeting nature of life. This attractive Harrap edition is illustrated and decorated throughout by Willy Pogany, whose richly imaginative Art Nouveau-inspired designs complement the poem's exotic atmosphere and made his illustrated gift books among the most admired of the early twentieth century.

Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Presented by Willy Pogany (Illustrated and decorated throughout by Willy Pogany).

Published by George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., London. Undated, but c. 1934 - Christmas presentation inscription from previous owner to first blank endpaper dated to 1934. Printed in Great Britain at The Ballantyne Press by Spottiswoode, Ballantyne & Co. Ltd., Colchester, London & Eton.

A near fine copy in the publisher's brown cloth, elaborately decorated in gilt and metallic turquoise to the upper board and spine. Light shelf wear and minor rubbing to extremities, but an exceptionally bright and attractive binding. Soundly bound with firm, fully intact hinges.

Clouded marble endpapers. Contemporary Christmas gift inscription dated 1934 to the first blank endpaper. Light spotting to the first and last few leaves, with the text otherwise remarkably clean throughout. Complete with all sixteen tipped-in colour plates by Willy Pogany. Printed in blue and black throughout with gilt top edge. An excellent example.

Text in English.

Weight approximately 442g (unpacked).

Dimensions approximately 225mm high x 162mm x 20mm.