COVE

While there are seemingly hundreds of versions of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, this particular version stands out with its beautifully detailed and eye catching illustrations. However, you would never know the wonders it holds by its somewhat plain and untitled cover (Figure 3). Upon first glance, it is obvious the outer layer of this book is your typical boxy cardboard cover, both front and back being identical in design and style. It presents a cream colored background with azure blue designs decorating the border and leading into the center. Interestingly, the title is not found on the front or back of the cover. Along the azure blue spine is the title and only outside indicator of the books name. However, you will not find the author or edition until you open to the first pages. Before doing so, you will find the book is in very good condition. It's edges are only slightly worn with small, almost indetectable dents and the spine remains uncracked. 

The first pages of this version of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám reveal that it is a First Edition "rendered in English" by Edward Fitzgerald and published in 1946 by The Heritage Press, New York.  What's amazing about this first look is what you see when you look to the left of the title. The first illustration (Figure 1). The one that immediately catches your eye and tempts you further into the book. Even far away, the rich colors and detailed designs make you want to look closer and closer. Then, upon closer inspection, you'll find that the illustration is slightly raised. Beside the illustration, bordered in gold, is the title, author, illustrator, and publisher (Figure 2). Although on this first page, just under the title and author, reveals the illustrator was Arthur Szyk, it isn't until the very last page that we learn that he drew his pictures in colour and gold before they were then engraved in London by the Sun Engraving Company. We also find that the doubled pages and English Monotype Sachsenwald with Albertus Capitals text, were set to the design and under the direction of Ernest Ingham at the fanfare Press, in London.

Even though you'll find it difficult to tear your eyes away from that first picture, the book holds a total of eight illustrations, each one just as dazzling as the next. Although not all of the poemed pages hosts an illustration, when they are discovered, they are always accompanied by one of the poems on the opposite pages, making you contemplate what inspired that particular picture. For readers first diving into this first version of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, it is important to note that the book contains forty pages with exactly 75 total poems total.

Khayyám Omar. The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám Rendered in English Verse by Edward FitzGerald.  The Heritage Press, New York. Copyright 1946. Illustrations by Arthur Szyk. Sun Engraving Company. Franfare Press, London.