The Rubáiyát of Bridge Exhibit

The Rubáiyát of Bridge by Carolyn Wells is a small, illustrated parody of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, rewritten with a focus on the card game bridge. Carolyn Wells was an American author and poet, best known for her work in mystery, children’s literature, and humor. Wells began her writing career with light verse and parodies, and she gained early popularity for her clever and humorous poetry. The Rubáiyát of Bridge was published in April 1909 by Harper & Brothers. Harper & Brothers was founded in 1817 and became one of the…

In On Exhibit: Victorians and Their Museums, Barbara Black examines the cultural significance of Edward FitzGerald’s translation of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám. Black does this examination within Victorian society, positioning the work as a central example of how Eastern texts were engaged, consumed, and ultimately appropriated by the West. Black examines how FitzGerald’s Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám functioned not only as a cherished gift book but also as a potent symbol of Orientalist appropriation. This illuminates the layered complexities of Victorian attitudes…

In this particular pairing of stanza and illustration, the image of a woman playing bridge while a child is placing cards down works hand in hand with the poem’s reflection on how human lives are shaped and moved by larger, unseen forces. Together, they highlight not just the inevitability of fate, but also how each generation quietly continues the “game” of life, passing down habits, roles, and traditions almost without noticing. What looks like a simple, peaceful domestic moment actually symbolizes how time keeps moving forward, how people age, and how the cycle of life keeps going. This…

This edition of the Rubáiyát was written by Carolyn Wells and illustrated by May Wilson Preston. Carolyn Wells was a prolific American writer renowned for her wide-ranging body of work, which includes poetry, children’s literature, parodies, and mystery novels. In the early phase of her literary career, roughly the first decade, Wells focused primarily on poetry, humor, and writing for children. The Rubáiyát of Bridge is a product of this early period and exemplifies her flair for light verse and clever parody. The book offers a humorous take on the then-popular card game…

Dear Betty, 

I was shopping at the used bookstore off of main and peach and I came across this copy of The Rubáiyát of Bridge and thought of you. When I saw these illustrations inside by May Wilson Preston, I knew that you would love this book. It shares your two favorite pastimes, art and bridge! In addition, it is written by Carolyn Wells, an author who I know you enjoy reading after discovering her book At the Sign of the Sphinx. I also thought you would appreciate the small size of this edition, as it will fit well on your bookshelves (perhaps next to your…