FITZGERALD, Edward (translator). OMAR KHAYYAM (author). Niroot PUTTAPIPAT (illustrator). The Rubaiyát of Omar Kháyyám. London The Folio Society 2009 Signed

Folio. Original hand bound cream vellum-backed dark blue boards with tiny vellum corner tips, lavishly and stunningly blocked, to upper cover, in gilt, copper, and silver to a design of peacocks, spine beautifully hand lettered by Stephen Raw in Islamic font in 22-carat gold, top edge gilt, others deckle, pictorial blue endpapers, with blue satin marker; preserved in a fine and original custom-made dark blue cloth-covered fall-down-back box with onlaid lettering label blocked in gilt; unpaginated, printed throughout on antique velvet 100% cotton mould made paper; with 15 fine and exquisite coloured plates by Niroot Puttapipat mounted-at-large between intricate gilt panel borders and other designs and decorations in sepia; a very fine copy indeed complete with the original etching, signed in pencil by the artist, mounted at the front within a delicate and winding black and gilt leaf panel.

First edition.  A new illustrated interpretation of this classic love poem, issued by the Folio Society to celebrate the 700 anniversary of its first publication in English translation.  One of only 1,000 copies with an original etching signed and numbered by the artist.  With a 10-page introduction by the author A.S. Byatt and notes by Edward Fitzgerald to the rear.  Loosely inserted is the large colour illustrated prospectus for this edition.