What's new
News and updates about Omar Khayyám, the Rubáiyát and pertaining matters
Sunday, 17. July 2022 - 12:20 hours
First Artists of the Rubaiyat : A Complete Illustrated Guide
The book is a complete catalog of early artists of Edward FitzGerald’s Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam and it offers a cornucopia of visual delights and discoveries. Hundreds of pictures by over 200 artists: photographs, oil paintings, watercolours, etchings, woodcuts, line drawings, calligraphy provide unique insight into the poetry and add beauty to one of the world’s most popular collections of verse. Many new artists are revealed with dozens of women artists identified.
Fryday, 22. April 2022 - 09:07 hours
The book that sank on the Titanic
A hundred years ago, one of the most lavishly decorated books, called "The Great Omar" went down with the Titanic. The jewelled binding was encrusted with 1,050 jewels: rubies, topazes and emeralds. About 100sq ft (9sq m) of gold leaf and some 5,000 pieces of leather were used in the covers.
The story of the initial sale, the creation of a second and even a third version is told in a BBC podcast of 19 April. The illustrated text version goes along with the oral version.
Monday, 18. October 2021 - 11:55 hours
The Rubaiyat Library Catalogue
The Rubaiyat Library Catalogue is a free online database of editions and translations of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám.
The catalogue can be used to search for translators, artists, language, media type and so on. There is also a range of browsing options. There is no login required.
The contents of the Library database are taken mainly from existing bibliographies and other bibliographic sources. New titles are added regularly and can be browsed under 'Newly added titles'. As of to date the database contains some 1.500 titles.
Saturday, 16. October 2021 - 21:12 hours
Ulrich Sander's translation
A German translation of the Rubáiyát has turned up recently during an investigation into the history of Omar Khayyám Clubs in Germany.
"Edward FitzGerald's 'The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'". Deutsch von Ulrich Sander. [S.l. : s.n.], 1932. 23 p.
There are 101 quatrains.
The copy in question has a dedication "To the great admirer of 'Omar Khayyám with many thanks. 21.4.34. C.H. Rempis"
The book is listed as # 26 in the bibliography to Nordmeyer's edition of 1969.
Until now further details are not available, more to follow soon.
Saturday, 16. October 2021 - 21:10 hours
Parodies
A new chapter has been added to the website, about parodies of the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám. This chapter lists (most of) the items described in Potter's Bibliography (1929), with additional material from Jos Biegstraaten's article "Omar with a smile. Parodies in books on FitzGerald's Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám". Persica 20 (2004).