KHAYYAM, Omar (1048-1131) VEDDER Elihu (1836-1923) Illustrator. Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam: The Astronomer-Poet of Persia. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1884. First commercial edition of the famous Rubáiyát illustrated by Elihu Vedder, considered one of the masterpieces of late 19th century American publishing. The famous English translation by Edward FitzGerald, which contributed decisively to the western fortune of the Persian poet Omar Khayyám, finds in this edition one of his most refined iconographic apparatuses, conceived by Vedder as a true symbolic cycle inspired by the themes of destiny, time, the downfall of life and the search for knowledge. American painter of formation but deeply related to the Roman artistic environment Vedder elaborated a language strongly influenced by Symbolism and Preraffaellismo, creating for this work fifty-six plates reproduced through the photographic process Lewis Photo-Type that represent one of the highest results of the American book illustration of the 19th century. Folio (400 x 325mm) Frontispiece, typographical brand, dedication page and 56 black and white plates by Elihu Vedder, reproduced by phototypical and photolithographic process. Original editorial binding in brown canvas with rich decorations imprinted and golden to the plates, according to the design of the same Vedder (light defects). (1)