(Translated by Edward Fitzgerald). Rendered into English Verse. ...

This is a rare book from the Berkelouw Rare Books Department.

London: Bernard Quaritch, 1868. Sm. 4to. Orig. full limp cloth (slight crease on front cover) with gilt title to upper board. (xviii, 30pp.). A fine copy as issued of the very rare 2nd edition. The first appearance of Fitzgerald's 'Rubaiyat' was published in 1859 funded by Fitzgerald himself, but with dismal sales (even at the reputed penny-box outside Quaritch's shop it failed to sell) the work was ultimately dumped when Quaritch moved premises from Leicester Square to Piccadilly. However, within the intervening years the 'Rubaiyat' became accepted, and again, Fitzgerald agreed to fund a Second Edition published in 500 copies at 1s.6d. It was enlarged from 75 to 110 quatrains with notes added at the end. This Second edition has become as scarce as the First.