A book in the wilderness. FitzGerald’s Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám 150 years in print and image. Jos Biegstraaten en Jos Coumans. Amsterdam, Rozenberg, 2009. 125 p. ISBN 978903610141.
Catalogue issued in conjunction with the exhibition „Een boek in de woestijn. Omar Khayyám, 150 jaar in Engelse vertaling“ held at Museum Meermanno, The Hague from January 31st to 5th April 2009
Abstract
Illustrated catalogue to the exhibition, focusing on aspects of typography and illustration of the Rubáiyát, showing the development of the private press movement. Several versions of FitzGeralds translation, including American private presses, such as the Roycrofters, were exhibited, together with commercial illustrated editions that were influenced by Morris’ Kelmscott Press, on the one hand and imitations of Persian manuscripts on the other hand. Attention was also drawn to Dutch illustrated editions of Omar Khayyám and miniature book editions of Omar Khayyam. In all about one hundred books were on show.
Inhoud
– Foreword by Leo Voogt
– Introduction
– Edward FitzGerald: first editions
– Edward FitzGerald: pirated and facsimile editions
– USA: Mosher and Bradley
– Morris’ influence: UK, USA and The Netherlands
– USA: The Roycroft Printing Shop
– English presses
– The first illustrated editions
– Illustrated editions: commercial publishers
– Illustrated editions: some techniques
– Dutch illustrators
– Miniatures and small books
– Select bibhography and further reading
– Index
