Omar Khayyam Postage Stamps from Kyrgyzstan
One of our regular contributors, Joe Howard, has sent us the following note about some new Omar Khayyam stamps that have been issue recently. Our thanks to Joe for sharing this information.
Following on from my article “Philatelic Omariana…”, published on this blog, I note that Kyrgyzstan has recently issued a new series of four postage stamps “The Anniversaries of Great Personalities”, which includes Omar Khayyam (No. 206). The individual stamps are 46 x 27.5 mm and are printed, in a limited edition of 6,000, using full-colour offset lithography. The figure below shows an attractive mini-sheet of five stamps with one label. Further details, in English, are provided in an official newsletter available at https://www.stamps.kg/news/newsletter-no-98.html .
Stamps are available in multiple formats: individually, as a mini sheet, franked or unfranked, on first day covers, on an illustrated postcard (see figure) etc. Complete details are available, and items can be purchased at https://www.stamps.kg/products/2023-the-anniversaries-of-great-personalities-omar-khayyam-copernicus-pascal-rachmaninoff.html .
These stamps are also available from resellers, e.g. on ebay.com, but at prices substantially above their postal value.
Joe Howard’s earlier article on “Philatelic Omariana…” can be found on the following link. https://omarkhayyamrubaiyat.wordpress.com/2021/06/18/philatelic-omariana-or-khayyam-for-stamp-collectors/ .
Valuable information on two more Rubaiyat artists
Bob Forrest has been researching two more little known artists of the 20th century who illustrated Edward FitzGerald’s Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. These are Paul McPharlin (1903-1948) and Kathleen O’Brien (1914-1991). The full write ups on each of these artists are available on Bob’s website, via the following links. Our thanks once more to Bob for sharing his valuable research with us all.
https://www.bobforrestweb.co.uk/The_Rubaiyat/N_and_Q/Paul_McPharlin/Paul_McPharlin.htm
https://www.bobforrestweb.co.uk/The_Rubaiyat/N_and_Q/O_Brien/O_Brien.htm
Paul McPharlin.
Though Paul McPharlin illustrated some twenty books for the Peter Pauper Press, including The Rubaiyat, he is probably better known as for his promotion of puppeteering as a respectable and serious art form. A man of many interests, as his numerous contributions to the journal Notes and Queries testify, he lived with his parents until he was over forty. He then married at the age of 44, but sadly died six months later of an inoperable brain tumour.
The editions of The Rubaiyat with McPharlin’s illustrations published by the Peter Pauper Press (PPP) were undated. Bob Forrest suggests that the first such edition probably appeared in 1940. For this, McPharlin did eight illustrations (including the frontispiece) accompanying the text of FitzGerald’s fourth version, with an illustrated colophon at the end. As Bob discusses in his full article, the illustrations seem to be generic rather than tied to specific verses, their content following the mildly erotic undertones imagined and exploited to a greater extent by the likes of Ronald Balfour, John Buckland Wright and John Yunge Bateman. There was also another edition of five of McPharlin’s illustrations published by PPP with FitzGerald’s first version of the text. The date of publication for this version is uncertain
Bob’s article provided copious images of McPharlin’s work, including his Rubaiyat illustrations, and it documents his life, and varied interests, as well as the many other books that he illustrated.
Kathleen O’Brien
The Australian publishers, Gornall, based in Sydney, produced an edition of FitzGerald’s Rubaiyat in 1945. This used FitzGerald’s first edition and had a short introduction by E[dgar] A[llan] Gornall, in which he wrote, “Should the Fitzgerald (sic) version be lost to the world, by any strange chance, man would be poor indeed, for where there is Omar there can only be joy.” The somewhat erotic nature of the four black and white illustrations rather suggests that the artist, named on the cover only as O’Brien, was a man. In fact the illustrator was a woman called Kathleen O’Brien, better known for her cartoon strip “Wanda the War Girl.” and illustrator of a number of other books. Bob suggests that the erotic freedom of O’Brien’s wartime work may reflect the more hedonistic view of life fostered by the later years of the Second World War.
Bob’s full article on this artist takes a look at her life and work, with details of the Wanda cartoon strip, and images from it, as well as a discussion of the Rubaiyat and other illustrations, including for childrens’ stories and fairy tales. O’Brien had a distinguished later career as a fashion artist and continued working up to the age of 70.
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Bob’s work on Paul McPharlin and Kathleen O’Brien is also now published in print form as Nos. 34 and 35 in his series of booklets on Rubaiyat Artists. For details of the circulation of these booklets, see an earlier post https://omarkhayyamrubaiyat.wordpress.com/2023/06/29/bob-forrest-has-produced-six-more-booklets-on-rubaiyat-artists/.
Edward FitzGerald’s birthday tomorrow
Tomorrow, 31st March 2024 will be the 215th anniversary of Edward FitzGerald’s birth in 1809. It is also the 165th anniversary of the publication in 1859 of the first edition of his famous version of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. We should all raise a glass and toast the memory of a Victorian gentleman from Suffolk who gave the world a lasting legacy. His verse still speaks to us today.
Come, fill the Cup, and in the Fire of Spring
The Winter Garment of Repentance fling:
The Bird of Time has but a little way
To fly—and Lo! the Bird is on the Wing.
Exhibition of Elihu Vedder’s artwork in 1982
We have received an enquiry concerning an exhibition of Rubaiyat artwork at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) in the early 1980’s, probably 1982. Here is the enquiry.
<< … years ago, I saw an exhibition of Vedder’s Rubaiyat Paintings at Smithsonian American Art in, I think, 1982, and was quite impressed. I also inherited a 1st Ed of the Vedder Rubaiyat from my grandfather. So, in the years since I’ve wondered if any publisher has issued a color reproduction of those paintings I saw at SAAM, so many years ago? >>
In a later communication, our correspondent, Richard Banning, questions his own memory of whether the exhibition in 1982 was actually of the Vedder illustrations, though in our view this seems quite feasible since SAAM does hold some, perhaps all, of the original artwork. So we have two queries for blog readers. Please comment below if you can help with answers.
First, does anyone have more information about an exhibition of Rubaiyat illustrations at SAAM sometime around 1982? It would be great to locate a catalogue from this.
Second, has there ever been an edition of the Rubaiyat with colour versions of the Vedder illustrations? The image above shows some Vedder artwork for the Rubaiyat, that clearly has colour. This is in the SAAM collection, but is dated slightly later than the original edition of Vedder’s illustrations. Can anyone throw light on this?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Tribute to Bill Martin
The verses that follow were brought together by readers of the Rubáiyát blog, as a tribute to Bill Martin
Deep in the countryside you went to earth,
A city gent who valued wine and mirth:
The foxes, rabbits that then neighboured you
Now welcome you again: a second birth.
John Drew
Here with a loaf of home cooked bread,
A jug of self made wine, a white or maybe red,
And you, reciting verses from the rubáiyát …
Oh hon’, what a timeless paradise we’ve had.
Jos Coumans
I sometimes think that none lived so well
As Bill who in retirement cast his spell,
To unite a global band of Omarians,
Who, sadly, now bid him — a fond farewell.
Joe Howard
For Bill Martin 1927-2024
This spring equinox may we all venerate,
Those who were summoned by the workings of Fate
With words penned by belovèd Omar,
We honor our friend who came early, left late.
Barney Rickenbacker
Full many a time the lacking Rhyme
Hath brought the Poet’s song to naught,
Or changed, if found, for sake of sound
To feebleness his strongest thought.
Should Soul and Sound, together bound,
Reward the labor of his pen,
There is a chance – it seems to me,
His Song may reach the Hearts of Men.
Bob Forrest
Since neither truth nor certitude is at hand
Do not waste your life in doubt for a fairyland
O let us not refuse the goblet of wine
For, sober or drunk, in ignorance we stand
The desire for knowledge, I could not forego
Few secrets remained that I did not know
For seventy-two years, I thought night and day
Until I came to know, I had nothing to show.
Stardust evolves as self-aware matter,
then remakes itself searching for answers.
Half-aware it heads towards self-extinction.
Stars wonder, “Do humans really matter?”
Their looks, poses, greetings—always mine.
My most devoted friends, forever canine!
Stroking their soft coat soothes my anxious heart,
I taught them tricks—my furry Einsteins.
Thoughts too serious means too many pills.
Then I learned to laugh to survive my ills.
Shadows still fall, yet I remain upright,
as laughter heals—then fewer doctor bills.
Martin Kimeldorf
William Henry ‘Bill’ Martin 1927-2024
It is with much sadness that I have to report that Bill Martin died on 17th February 2024. He passed away quietly at home, after a long illness, at the great age of 96 years. Many readers will know that Bill was a great enthusiast for the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam and a long standing collector, especially of illustrated editions of FitzGerald’s versions. He was joint author of the landmark study The Art of Omar Khayyam, published in 2007, and of other Rubaiyat related studies. He was also one of the founders of this blog, and my beloved husband of 53 years.
Bill’s first contact with the Rubaiyat came in his late teens when he found a copy of the poem in his local public library in Chadwell Heath, Essex. He was intrigued by the verse and the underlying philosophy that it presented, and both remained important to him throughout his life. Some years later, he began to pick up copies of the poem whenever he visited the antiquarian bookshops which he loved. Gradually, in this way, an important collection was assembled. When he and I were retiring from our main profession of Leisure Consultants, and were looking for some project to occupy our third age, exploring and studying the world of the Rubaiyat seemed an exciting new field. The rest, as they say, is history.
Among the important marker points of Bill’s Rubaiyat years was the anniversary year of 2009. This celebrated the 200th anniversary of Edward FitzGerald’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his first version of the Rubaiyat. For at least 18 months before, Bill was actively promoting the idea of a Year of the Rubaiyat to everyone he met, and he was delighted with the extensive programme of conferences, exhibitions, and other events that finally took place, many at least in part as a result of his efforts. His love of the work of Khayyam and FitzGerald was contagious, and he was always trying to encourage his younger family and friends to read and learn from the poem. The world of Rubaiyat enthusiasts and researchers has lost one of its valued members, and we shall all miss him.
TAMAM SHUD
Sandra
Charles Mugleston has sent us details of a special illuminated manuscript version of FitzGerald’s Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam that will be up for sale by auction shortly. This fine copy was previously owned by William Foyle, one of the founders of the Foyles bookshop in London, and most recently it was part of the library of his grandson Christopher Foyle who died in 2022.
The MS will be auctioned on 31st January 2024 by the-saleroom.com. Details of the item are to be found on https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/dominic-winter-book-auctions/catalogue-id-srdom10231/lot-46124586-2dfb-4f30-9e42-b0f5010d388d?utm_source=auction-alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=auction-alert&utm_content=lot-view-link&queryId=37bc9c07f072e19e5fb1f0e4311f5cc2. The opening price for bids is £700. The auctioneers’ description is shown below.
Fitzgerald (Edward, translator). Rubáiyat of Omar Khayyám, rendered into English verse by Edward Fitzgerald, circa 1930, title and 110 leaves in pen and ink manuscript on handmade paper, title in red and black ink, incorporated within broad illuminated border heightened in gold with foliate devices intertwined, each leaf in black ink with illuminated initial heightened with gold and extending into margins, each leaf with tissue-guard and paginated at foot, burgundy morocco gilt bookplate of W. A. Foyle, Beeleigh Abbey to front pastedown, contemporary vellum gilt, upper cover with large gilt strapwork monogram, folio (38 x 26.5 cm).
It is currently not known who created this fine MS. In a letter from the bookseller to William Foyle, the artist is described as “a crippled man who was an expert on illumination of documents… The work took several weeks and I then had it bound in vellum. I was so pleased with the work that he did another work for me of my favourite quotations which I am retaining”.
New illuminated edition of Khayyam’s quatrains
The Persian quatrains attributed to Omar Khayyam continue to be a source of creative stimulus to artists in Iran. We have been sent details of a new illuminated edition of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam that has recently been published in a limited edition in Iran. The verses of Khayyam in Persian are presented in the manner of a traditional Persian miniature, with a parallel translation into English. Two typical pages from the book are shown below. The fading out of the artwork in the English version is intentional. There is an Introduction, to the poetry and artwork, in both Persian and English.
The fine artwork in the book has been created by a young Iranian, Sama Soltani. The calligraphy is by Fariba Maghsoudi, who is the artist’s mother. The Persian Introduction is by Dr Ismaeil Bani Ardalan, with English translation of all text and verses by Professor Hosein Sadeghi. 500 copies of the book have been published initially in Iran, and it is hoped that a second edition will be published in the UK later in 2024 *. There are also plans to hold an exhibition of the original artwork for the book in London. Copies of the first, limited, edition are available for purchase at a price of £70 plus p&p. Anyone interested in what will become a collectors’ item should contact Sama Soltani on samaillustrations@gmail.com.
* The team behind this book are currently investigating possible publishers for the UK edition of the book. If any readers can help them with suggestions and/or introductions, please get in touch with Sama Soltani as above.
Jeff Hill – another Rubaiyat artist of the mid 20th century
Jeff Hill is the latest, comparatively unknown, Rubaiyat artist to be investigated by Bob Forrest. Hill was a prolific American artist, born in North Carolina in 1922, who spent most of his life living and working in the South-eastern USA. He died in North Carolina in 2009. Having started work in advertising, from 1952 he began a long career working as an independent book illustrator for the publisher, Peter Pauper Press. Most of his output took the form of woodcut illustrations, and, in 1956, he provided the Press with nine such illustrations for an edition of FitzGerald’s Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. This was one of several Rubaiyat editions that the Press published in the mid 20th century, each illustrated by a different artist – see Bob’s previous work on Jeanyee Wong and Vera Block, both covered in earlier posts.
As a result of his research, Bob has provided us with much information about Hill that was previously not known. He has identified the artist’s full name, George Franklin Hill Jr, as well as details of his personal life and wider interests in geology and gardening. Bob’s full article on the artist (link shown below) also documents the large number of titles that Hill illustrated for Peter Pauper, which range from the Rubaiyat to extracts from Samuel Pepys’ Diary, and from books on Eastern and African Proverbs to Baudelaire’s Fleurs du Mal. The article is accompanied by selections from Hill’s work on the Rubaiyat, and many other images which show how the artist’s output and style varied over time and between books. Bob is particularly impressed by the expressionist style Hill used in his work for the highly controversial Baudelaire poetry, and he includes an interesting summary of the poet’s life.
The full report on Bob’s research on Jeff Hill is to be found on https://www.bobforrestweb.co.uk/The_Rubaiyat/N_and_Q/Jeff_Hill/Jeff_Hill.htm. It provides another glimpse of the varied life and work of a commercial illustrator in the 20th century, and it fills in yet more of the gaps in our knowledge about Rubaiyat artists. As before, we are grateful to Bob Forrest for continuing to explore this previously hidden area, and for sharing his work with us.
Addendum
Bob’s work on Jeff Hill is also now published in print form as No. 33 in his series of booklets on Rubaiyat Artists. For details of the circulation of these booklets, see an earlier post https://omarkhayyamrubaiyat.wordpress.com/2023/06/29/bob-forrest-has-produced-six-more-booklets-on-rubaiyat-artists/.
Bach and Khayyam celebrated by Canadian crossover musicians
A regular contributor to the blog, Charles Mugleston, has alerted us to a very interesting concert currently available on YouTube. This is by a Canadian group from Montreal, Constantinople, which combines Western Baroque instruments and singing, with instruments and singing skills from Persian traditional music. In this programme, the group present arrangements of a number of Bach cantatas and instrumental work, interspersed with performances of Khayyam quatrains sung in Persian.
The performance is currently available on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYO-sH4Jxus. Here is how the group describes the programme that is presented.
“Even if more than 600 years separates the life of John-Sebastien Bach (1685 -1750) and Omar Khayyam (1048 -1131), these two genius were made to meet each other. Their visions of the world, as a perfect match of mathematics mastery and a super high level of spirituality, bring these two men in a delightful dialogue and traces a clear path to the sublime. In this program Constantinople brings these two artists into a dialogue, where the sacred and spirituality transcend borders. For this new creation Constantinople proposes arrangements of some of the most beautiful spiritual songs and arias of JS Bach in dialogue with poems of Omar Khayyam sung in Persian and responding to Bach’s songs.”
The group itself is described as follows. “Constantinople is a musical ensemble that chose the journey — geographical, but also historical, cultural, and inner —as its cornerstone. It draws inspiration from many sources and aims for distant horizons. Inspired by the ancient city illuminating the East and West, Constantinople was founded in 2001 in Montreal by Kiya Tabassian.”
The performance is thoroughly worthwhile watching and listening to. The variety in arrangements and instruments is fascinating, and the soloists are all of high quality. The programme was performed in a variety of locations in Canada and elsewhere in 2022 and 2023.
Our thanks to Charles for telling us about this very special performance. More information on the group Constantinople and its compositions, performances and programmes can be found on https://constantinople.ca/en/.
Omar Khayyam Rubaiyat 