The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam by Edward Fitzgerald - 1909: Limited Edition- Number 572 of 750 Signed by Edmund Dulac- 20 color plates

Edward FitzGerald or Fitzgerald (31 March 1809 – 14 June 1883) was an English poet and writer. His most famous poem is the first and best-known English translation of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, which has kept its reputation and popularity since the 1860s. The spectacular bound and printed, limited 1909 Edition from the second (the better transcribed and corrected edition authorized by Fitzgerald), with beautifully executed images by Edmund Dulac, a renowned illustrator and artist.

Edmund Dulac (born Edmond Dulac; 22 October 1882 – 25 May 1953) was a French British naturalized magazine illustrator, book illustrator and stamp designer. Born in Toulouse he studied law but later turned to the study of art at the École des Beaux-Arts. He moved to London early in the 20th century and in 1905 received his first commission to illustrate the novels of the Brontë Sisters.

A signed limited edition of this beautifully illustrated edition of Omar Khayyam's Rubaiyat, translated by Edward Fitzgerald, and illustrated in color by Edmund Dulac. Signed by the illustrator to the edition page. Limited to seven hundred and fifty copies. This copy is numbered 572. London: Hodder and Stoughton,, [1909]. Large 4to, vellum with gold leaf embossing front and spine. Spine somewhat smudged. Cover in very good condition. Internally very sound and well preserved images with light toning to some of the pages. Original elaborate vellum, decorated endpapers, top edge gilt, original silk ties. With 20 tipped in color plates and printed paper guards.

Fitzgerald's translations are loose, he referred to his work on them as 'transmogrification'. Some consider that his translation of 'Rubaiyat' could be considered as Fitzgerald's own original poetry that are simply loosely based on Khayyam's quatrains. Omar Khayyam was a Persian mathematician and astronomer, born in the 2nd Century. He was famously known during his lifetime as a mathematician and has only earned the reputation of a poet after his death. Of the poems attributed to him, some are doubtful in their authenticity, however he gained great popularity after Fitzgerald's translation was published. Illustrated by Edmund Dulac. Dulac was a French British illustrator, known for his book illustrations, and stamp designs. His first commission was the illustrated the novels of the Bronte Sisters. The stamps he designed heralded the beginning of the Queen Elizabeth II's reign.