24 JANUARY 1931, Page 28

Appropriately at the time of the present exhibition the Medici

Society has just issued an edition of the Rubcliyit of. Omar Khayyam, in Fitzgerald's rendering which is almost perfect in its kind. The covers are decorated with the design of an old Persian binding ; the illustrations are reproductiotis of works by Persian artists exquisitely suited to the text, which regains in this setting the freshness which it loses in the usual miniature edition issued for Christmas or other pre- sentation. Printing and paper are also good and unpretentious and Mr. J. V. S. Wilkinson, of the British Museum, who chose the illustrations, contributes a short introduction, which sets both poem and illustrations in their proper perspective for the general reader. The production is amazing at the price of 3s. 6d.

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