Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám (Signed by René Bull) Khayyam, Omar (1048-1131). Rendered into English verse by Edward Fitzgerald (1809-1883). Illustrated in colour and in line by René Bull (1872-1942) Fiction & Literature

A stunning edition of this classic collection of Persian quatrains by the 12th-century polymath, Omar Khayyám. Edward Fitzgerald's translation first introduced these verses to the English-speaking world in 1859. The Rubáiyát became a quintessential example of Orientalism during the fin de siècle period. This edition contains the bold and colorful illustrations of René Bull, including 10 full page plates and numerous smaller color illustrations laid down with the text. Further ornamented with drawings and typographical ornaments throughout. Printed on rectos only. This is copy number 50 of just 250 in the edition, numbered and signed on limitation page by Bull. The binding features an illustration of a wine glass embossed on darker leather and inlaid on upper board. There are inlaid rules of dark brown leather and gilt, as well as gilt-stamped ruling. Five raised bands on spine, with gilt-stamped titles, ornaments, and rules. Top edge gilt. An exquisite edition of this classic. Bound in full leather over boards with a cloth covered slipcase. There is a repaired tear of some 8 cm length to bottom inner area of the tissue guard facing the frontispiece. Overall a near fine copy. Full inlaid leather. Quarto. [85] leaves plus 10 plates Limited Edition, this being #50 of 250 copies.