Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

Bibliographic notes for the first edition.
From the moment of its publication, Elihu Vedder's Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam achieved unparalleled success. The first edition appeared in Boston on 8 November 1884; six days later, it was sold out. Critics rushed to acclaim it as a masterwork of American art, and Vedder (1836-1923) as the master American artist. [Smithsonian American Art Museum]. Boards and Spine are Fine. Moderate foxing on page borders and some minor stains, generally not affecting plates or text. A very handsome volume, rare in this condition because, due to its size (16x13") and weight, the hinges are usually split.

Photo-lithograph plates (56) With ornamental Title-page and 56 magnificent full-page illustrations by Elihu Vedder, reproduced by the Lewis photoype process. Printed at the Riverside Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Medium brown flat-weave cloth over beveled boards; front cover with gilt-ruled borders, symbolist design of vase, vine, swirls and stars, and titling 'Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam' and 'Drawings by Elihu Vedder'; rear cover without decoration; spine with gilt-ruled borders, floral ornaments, and titling 'Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'; illustrator's facsimile signature, gilt, on front cover, lower right "V."; grey coated endpapers with grapevine decoration; [also issued uniform in grey]. t.e.g. Detailed collation: 2 Frontis; 3 Title; 6 Pictorial Imprint; 7 Pictorial dedication; 10 Pictorial Fly-title; 11-103 Text of Third Edition; 106 Pictorial Note; 107-111 Notes, within ornamental border; 114-122 Appendix: - Omar Khayyam (by Fitzgerald); 123-126 Notes on the Text; 127 List of Illustrations (56).

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