FitzGerald, Edward

Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam, the Astronomer-Poet of Persia. London: Bernard Quaritch, 1859.

4to (8 x 6 ins; 205 x 155 mm). Original printed front and blank rear wrappers preserved in deep blue morocco extra gilt binding by Zaehnsdorf (stamp-signed  and dated 1904)  sides profuse with pointillé foliate sprays within triple rule border, watered silk doublures and endleaves, turn-ins gilt, spine title gilt within raised bands; front wrapper with a touch of minor rubbing, very light shelfwear to binding spine ends.

Tinker 1038; Grolier/English 97

Condition as described in catalogue entry.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

first edition of this famed translation, one of only 250 issued and a presentation copy from the publisher.  Inscribed "To the Asiatic Society from Bernard Quaritch" along upper margin of front wrapper. The present copy is without the manuscript correction by FitzGerald of stanza XIV as is sometimes found. A mere 250 copies of this were printed, with 40 going to the translator and the remainder selling so slowly they were eventually discounted to the indignity of the penny bin outside of the bookseller's shop. It's later discovery by Rossetti and Swinburne ("I know none to be compared with it for power, pathos, and beauty...." the latter remarked)  brought it new attention and it was reprinted often and often elablorately throughout the end of the 19th century, but the true first remains a rarity. Even by 1901 the interest was so great that copy brought $260 at Bang's Auctioneers, bought back by Quartich (see Prideaux, Notes for a Bibliography of Edward FitzGerald. London, 1911, pp. 16-18). An extremely well-preserved example with appropriate provenance.