A one-of-a-kind, author’s pre-publication review copy of the large quarto trade edition of The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, illustrated by Elihu Vedder. Published in 1886, this exceptionally rare copy is distinguished by Vedder’s signature on the title page, inscribed with the location “Rome,” where he spent 11 months crafting the groundbreaking illustrations for this work.
The only other signed copies of Vedder’s Rubaiyat known to the market are the deluxe folio editions numbered out of 100. Accompanying this remarkable volume is an advertisement sheet for both the trade and deluxe editions, dated December 1884, just weeks after the book’s initial publication—a rare piece of ephemera that adds to its historical significance.
Adding to its distinctiveness, this copy deviates from the first edition’s hallmark “unopened” pages. Instead, it includes blank pages in between, where the first editions would have been bound together, a striking feature that underscores its unique pre-publication status.
This copy also boasts an extraordinary provenance, having belonged to Vedder himself and remaining within his family for over 140 years before entering the rare book market. In excellent condition, the book features clean, bright pages and retains its original integrity. The additional loose advertisement sheet further cements its rarity as a tangible link to the work’s release and reception.
Vedder’s Rubaiyat is widely recognized as one of the most influential illustrated books ever produced, setting new standards for artistic and literary design. This signed review copy, with its association to the artist and its unique features, is a singular treasure—an unrepeatable opportunity for collectors and connoisseurs of literary history.
