FITZGERALD, Edward (translator). OMAR KHÁYYÁM (author). Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, in English Verse. Philadelphia David McKay 1942 Signed

Royal 8vo.; publisher’s crimson cloth decorated and lettered in Islamic style in gilt, pp. [vii] + 102; with decorative title and prelim pages, text quatrains throughout in decorated panels, and 20 mildly erotic lithographed plates in bold black and white; apart from abrasion to re-stained top edge of book block this is a clean, sharp copy, both externally and internally, with some dulling to cover gilt, internally fine, without ownership marks.

First edition thus, inscribed and signed in ink to the half-title, “To Graham Warmsey, with best wishes, Willy Pogany”.

The Hungarian artist/illustrator Willy Pogany revisited this classic of Middle Eastern literature many times over his career, contributing completely fresh artwork each time, to reflect the tastes of the day.