Description
Here is an interesting 1906 edition of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, published by the Roycrofters. This book is special in that the cover design, title page and internal ornaments were designed by Wizard of Oz illustrator W W Denslow. Denslow’s tiny seahorse logo is on the cover (far left) and on some of the decorative images. Roycroft printed several versions of the Rubaiyat with Denslow designs, and I believe that this is the only one printed in portrait rather than landscape format, so that the book is almost square. This copy especially nice that it’s bound in more unusual burgundy suede, and the endpapers are pink moire satin. Also signed on the front endpaper by Leopold F Schmidt, the founder of Olympia beer!
In very good condition. Suede is all there, with just light wear. Inside, the binding is intact and the pages are in good shape, except for a faint stain at the base near gutter of most pages–looks like perhaps a drop of tea was spilled? Otherwise, a lovely little book for the Denslow or Roycroft collector.
