Omar Khayyam ; Fitzgerald, Edward (Translator)

Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám [Illustrated by Willy Pogany - Decorative Gilt Leather]

London: George G. Harrap & Co., October 1928.

A lovely interwar edition of the Persian masterpiece, defined by Willy Pogany’s ethereal, Art Nouveau-influenced illustrations. This specific Harrap printing is prized for its high-quality production and tipped-in plates.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Visuals: 12 tipped-in plates with decorative borders. Pogany’s style here is characterized by soft-focus, atmospheric monochromatic washes (resembling photogravures) that evoke a dreamlike, Orientalist mystery.
+++ Binding: Full tan morocco or flexible leather. The front board features an intricate Celtic-meets-Persian knotwork design stamped in gilt and red, surrounding stylized typography. 
+++ Typography: The text is set within decorative borders with Persian-inspired headers and "wine jar" motifs at the foot of each stanza. 
+++ Specs: Small octavo; 6.75 x 4.75 inches / 92, [1] pages.

CONDITION: Good / Fair (A 'Problem' Copy with Internal Integrity) The internal state is Near Fine; the bindings are tight and square, and the text is remarkably clean with only light, even age-toning. All 12 tipped-in plates are present and pristine. External Condition: The spine is the "problem" area, showing significant loss to the leather surface at the head and tail, and general wear to the edges/corners (see images). Despite the exterior wear, the front board remains bright and the book is structurally sound.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE -- 
Willy Pogany's 'Rubaiyat' stands as a definitive visual bridge between Victorian Orientalism and the Art Nouveau movement. His use of soft, atmospheric washes instead of bold primary colors offered a more mystical, psychological reading of Khayyam's verses, which resonated deeply with the interwar 'Gift Book' market.

This 1928 Harrap edition reflects the peak of the publisher's 'Decorative Classics' series. Despite the external wear, the structural integrity and the completeness of the plates make this a significant reference copy for scholars of 20th-century book arts.

SUBJECTS: Persian Poetry, Willy Pogany, Art Nouveau, Edward Fitzgerald, George Harrap, 1920s Illustration, Book Arts, Illustrated Books, Fine Bindings, Poetry.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE: Greer, 'Willy Pogany: A Bibliography'

Item #21557

Price: $45.00