Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám (1930)
Illustrated by Willy Pogány
On the left, we show a rare copy of the Willy Pogány illustrative interpretation of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám published in the 1930 1st Edition from Thomas Y Crowell Company (New York).
This example retains the original black-stamped gold pastedown to the orange cloth cover.
To the right, we show the decorated Title Page designed by Pogány.
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Rubáiyat of Omar Khayyám was originally composed by a mid-11th Century Iranian astronomer, mathematician and
poet - Ghiyathuddin Abulfath Omar bin Ibrahim Al-Khayyami. Fitgerald's Victorian-era adaptation of the original work
was based upon his own translation of a Persian manuscript held by the Bodleian Library. Fitzgerald himself made no
claims to producing a literal translation of the original text, declaring his own version:
"very unliteral it is. Many quatrains are mashed together: and something lost, I don't doubt, of
Omar's simplicity".
Despite Fitzgerald's own inglorious comments, his version of these classic tales from Persia has become recognised as
one of the greatest pieces of Victorian literature. Indeed, the consistent message of the tale - namely, to live life to
the fullest whilst enjoying a drop or more of wine - became the inspiration for many Victorian-era artists, including
Oscar Wilde and Aubrey Beardsley.
Pogány's evocative colour and monotone illustrations (including those monotone images printing on gold plates)
for this edition of Rubáiyat of Omar Khayyám are magnificent - and much like the translated Sanskrit poem they
accompany, his images speak for themselves.
Our Greeting Cards and Fine Art Posters
For connoisseurs of Pogány's work, we have prepared sets of 12 Greeting Cards displaying each of his colour images for the 1930 Edition of Rubáiyat of Omar Khayyám and on the left, we show an example of how these Greeting Cards appear.
Code: WP
ROK(M) CS(12)
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Of course, should you wish to discuss some customised options, we welcome your contact on any matter through
ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com.
In the meantime, enjoy perusing these wonderful examples of the art of Willy Pogány.
The illustrations
And lately, by the Tavern Door agape
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"Awake, my Little Ones" |
Look to the Rose that blows about us |
One Moment, of the Well of Life to taste |
Fine Art Poster (12x18'')
Code: WP ROK(M) C1 (12x18)
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Fine Art Poster (12x18'')
Code: WP ROK(M) C2 (12x18)
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Fine Art Poster (12x18'')
Code: WP ROK(M) C3 (12x18)
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Fine Art Poster (12x18'')
Code: WP ROK(M) C4 (12x18)
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But leave the Wise to wrangle
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That ev'n my buried Ashes |
And David's lips are lockt |
A Book of Verses underneath the Bough
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Fine Art Poster (12x18'')
Code: WP ROK(M) C5 (12x18)
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Fine Art Poster (12x18'')
Code: WP ROK(M) C6 (12x18)
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Fine Art Poster (12x18'')
Code: WP ROK(M) C7 (12x18)
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Fine Art Poster (12x18'')
Code: WP ROK(M) C8 (12x18)
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Into this Universe, and Why not knowing
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'Tis but a Tent |
You know, my Friends |
Indeed, indeed, Repentance oft before |
Fine Art Poster (12x18'')
Code: WP ROK(M) C9 (12x18)
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Fine Art Poster (12x18'')
Code: WP ROK(M) C10 (12x18)
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Fine Art Poster (12x18'')
Code: WP ROK(M) C11 (12x18)
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Fine Art Poster (12x18'')
Code: WP ROK(M) C12 (12x18)
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