Unveiling the Enigmatic Beauty: The 1951 Shakespeare House Sullivan Edition of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám: 1951 Shakespeare House Sullivan Edition, illustrated by Edmund J. Sullivan, is a beautifully crafted book that combines poetry, art, and philosophy. Published by Shakespeare House in 1951, this edition of the Rubáiyát features Edward FitzGerald's translation of the Persian poet Omar Khayyám's quatrains, along with striking illustrations by Edmund J. Sullivan. The book is bound in a rich burgundy cloth, along with a black leather spine that has what appears to be gold stars embossed. The cover of this edition comes along with a stamped design…

Barbara Black, in her book On Exhibit: Victorians and Their Museums, argues that the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám has been objectified through its popularity as a gift book. The poem's value has become inseparable from its physical presence as a small, pretty, and crafted object. Black suggests that this objectification has resulted in the Rubáiyát being entrenched in the categorically Oriental, and has been appropriated by FitzGerald himself, audiences, and publishers in the decades following the initial translation. She writes, “This poem’s value becomes…

In the 1951 Shakespeare House Sullivan Edition of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, stanza 36 and the accompanying illustration by Edmund J. Sullivan work together to convey the message of the poem that life is fleeting and we should live in the moment.

The stanza describes the speaker's observation of a potter working in the marketplace, thumping the wet clay, in a manner that sounds far from gentle. The clay, with its "obliterated Tongue," murmurs to the potter to work gently. This poignant moment of connection between the potter and his creation highlights the delicacy and…

The 1951 Shakespeare House Sullivan Edition of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam is a unique and captivating publication that carries a rich history and context. I have discovered fascinating details about the publisher, the illustrator, and other intriguing aspects that contribute to the story of this edition. The publisher of this edition, Shakespeare House, was a notable publishing house based in New York City. A peculiar post-WW2 series consisting of an assortment of classics, contemporary fiction, a book of operas, and a cookbook. It was known for producing beautifully…

Dear George,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. As I pondered over what gift to present to you, my mind was immediately drawn to this exquisite edition of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: 1951 Shakespeare House Sullivan Edition. It seemed to me that its beautiful art and profound words were meant to be cherished by someone as discerning and appreciative as you.

As I held this book in my hands, I couldn't help but be captivated by its physical features, each of which seemed to whisper the story of its creation and journey. Firstly, the cover, with a…