1930s, the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, Willy Pogany Illustrations

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This listing is a perfect case of "You can't tell a book by it's cover." The undated, (ca)1930s edition of … Read more This listing is a perfect case of "You can't tell a book by it's cover." The undated, (ca)1930s edition of The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, as translated by Edward FitzGerald, was published by Crowell.It includes both the First and Fourth renderings of FitzGerald’s English verse, evoking Khayyám’s themes of fate, love, and the fleeting nature of life. But what is most mesmerizing about this 172-page-hardcover are the 12 tipped-in, full color illustrations by the known artist, Willy Pogony. Each of his full-page illustrations, along with the numerous Art Nouveau/Art Deco b/w and sometimes gold, thumbnail headers, are among the most lavish and brilliant art works to be found inside any 20thC book in our collection.. The (top-faded) peach hardcover has a gilded title and gilt-lettered, visible, spine, as well as a gold-top stain. The pages inside are all deckled - clean, bright and unmarked, as are all, untouched, tipped-in (removable) illustrations- still brilliant after 90+ years. There are many versions of this book; many smaller versions have sold here. But if it's what's inside this one that counts if you love book art. If you. do, this book is for you or for someone who'd love it. It will be sent, carefully packed, boxed with tracking. See less