The First American Edition of "Omar," Inscribed to a Noted American Golf Course Architect

RUBAIYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM.

FITZGERALD, EDWARD, Translator.

(Boston: Houghton, Osgood and Company, 1878). 174 x 125 mm. (6 7/8 x 5"). 1-28, [1], 31-65, [1], 69-77, [2] leaves. First American from the Third London Edition. One of 500 copies printed.

Publisher's reddish-brown cloth with gilt and black titling and decoration, all edges stained red. Printed on one side only, text within a red line border. Inscription on fly leaf (perhaps from the printer) to Herbert C. Leeds (see below). Potter 200. Binding slightly cocked, extremities a bit rubbed, a few areas of discoloration to the cloth, but the original binding solid and unrestored, and a fine copy internally, very fresh and clean.

This is an excellent copy of an early American edition of FitzGerald's lush and lilting translation of the celebrated 11th century classic collection of evocative short verses. A work that appealed strongly to Victorian sensibilities, the "Rubáiyát" was first published anonymously in London in 1859. FitzGerald released expanded versions of the translation (heavily embellished with his own poetry) in 1868 and 1872; our edition represents the first American appearance of the third and longest edition. Partly because of the size of the press run, and partly because the binding is rather fragile, our edition is surprisingly uncommon. The Herbert C. Leeds to whom our copy was given is surely Herbert Corey Leeds (1855-1930), the American golfer and noted golf course architect. Among several other courses, Leeds designed the course at the Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, a course notorious for its difficulty. It hosted the U.S. Open in 1898, 1901, 1905, and 1908. (Leeds, as one of a few amateurs in the field, tied for eighth place in 1898.). (ST17640-004)

Price: $950.00