Exhibit:

Omar Khayyam by Edward Fitzgerald with Photogravures after Gilbert James (1905) Sukhjot Sal

Preview of images

An examination of the 1905 edition of Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat translation by Edward Fitzgerald, embellished with photogravures after Gilbert James.

Images in this Exhibit

Description of edition

Though there are countless editions of Omar Khayyam’s Rubaiyat, this second edition is especially significant due to its distinct gilded cover and rare, intricate photogravures, which will be examined more closely later. Published in 1905 and translated by Edward Fitzgerald, this 160-page book is a part of “The Photogravure Series”, as stated on the interior title page. The exact publisher of this edition is more difficult to pinpoint — the bottom of the title page reads “London”, which is followed by “George Routledge and Sons, Limited”, and below, “New York: E. P. Dutton and Co...
Gift Books and Orientalism

In Barbara Black’s On Exhibit: Victorians and Their Museums, Black outlines the ways in which Omar Khayyám’s Rubáiyát has been appropriated by Western audiences, beginning with Edward FitzGerald’s translation of the poem. Once FitzGerald’s translation started becoming popular, Black describes the creation of Omar Khayyám Clubs in England and America, where “members attended Persian dinners and displayed their collected Eastern exotica as well as their bejeweled, miniature copies of the Rubáiyát” (Black 60). In this way, the poem “remains entrenched in the...
Close reading of image + text

In the 1905 edition of Edward Fitzgerald's translation of Omar Khayyám's Rubáiyát, Stanza 35 (XXXV) works with Gilbert James's photogravure on the adjoining page to emphasize Khayyám's commentary in the whole poem on mortality and how important it is to be grateful and mindful of the things we have available to us during our finite time on earth.

Similar to other stanzas, quatrain 35 continues to refer to the "earthen Bowl" as a source of wisdom, something to look to for advice. In the corresponding photogravure, the man in black is facing flowers, with his lips to a...
How this edition was made

This edition of Omar Khayyám’s Rubáiyát, translated by Edward Gerald features twelve special photogravures created by Gilbert James. Published in 1905, this edition is part of “The Photogravure Series,” as it states on the title page, seen in Figure 1. The novel’s title page suggests that it could have been published by one or two places, or perhaps both, collaboratively, for different audiences. On one hand, it states “London” and then “George Routledge and Sons, Limited”, while on the other hand, it states “New York: E. P. Dutton and Co. 1905”.

Beyond the personal...
Archival speculations

To my lovely little sister: Elizah Bennett

From: Jane Bennett

 

Christmas, 1905

 

Dearest Eliza,

 

I am sending this beautiful edition of Omar Khayyám’s Rubáiyát to you in the hopes that it reaches you before your painting exhibition on January 20. I know how much you admire Gilbert James’ illustrations, and I wanted you to have this special edition of the Rubáiyát so you can see them up close. As you flip through this, you’ll see twelve special photogravures scattered throughout the novel, for this edition is a special...
Archival speculations

To my lovely little sister: Elizah Bennett

From: Jane Bennett

 

Christmas, 1905

 

Dearest Eliza,

 

I am sending this beautiful edition of Omar Khayyám’s Rubáiyát to you in the hopes that it reaches you before your painting exhibition on January 20. I know how much you admire Gilbert James’ illustrations, and I wanted you to have this special edition of the Rubáiyát so you can see them up close. As you flip through this, you’ll see twelve special photogravures scattered throughout the novel, for this edition is a special...