“A JUG OF WINE, A LOAF OF BREAD—AND THOU…”: THE RUBAIYAT, BEAUTIFULLY BOUND

(FITZGERALD, Edward) KHAYYAM, Omar. Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám. London and New York: Macmillan, 1898. Square octavo, 20th-century full crushed red morocco, raised bands, elaborately gilt-decorated spine, front board with pictorial gilt and black morocco onlays, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt; housed in a custom slipcase. $1850.

Later edition, beautifully bound by Bayntun with a pictorial front board with the iconic image of a serpent wrapped around a chalice.

Composed in 12th-century Persia and rendered into English by Edward FitzGerald (his first version appeared in 1859), these stanzas express "the desire to snatch the utmost of pleasurable sensation from the irretrievable passing moment… [but also] more sober thoughts of the Power that has created beauty and in man a capacity to appreciate beauty but has cursed him with transience… In words and cadences of haunting loveliness a desolating message was communicated to numberless hearts" (Baugh et al., 1417-18). In addition to an extensive introduction, this edition includes FitzGerald's translation of the Rubaiyat and a comparison of the differences among the first four editions.

Fine condition.