The Rose Garden of Omar Khayyam.
Worcester, MA: Commonwealth Press, 1932. One of 250 copies. Known at the time as the smallest book in the world, this tiny book is part of a set, which includes a miniature edition of the book (1 3/4 by 1 1/2; 44x37mm), showing, in addition to the text, an explanatory preface about the tiny volume; a full-size edition of the text with the preface; “A Thimbleful of Books” by the translator, Eben Francis Thompson, who was inspired to learn Persian by Edward Fitzgerald's translation of the Rubaiyat but sought to hew more closely to the original text in his own offering; a proof sheet in printed wrappers with the original glassine enclosure; a magnifying glass; and the micro-miniature book, housed in a small gold box with a see-through lid. Two other pamphlets related to the Rose Garden are included in the set: “Kind Words about the Smallest Printed Book in the World,” containing letters of praise from such experts as Wilbur Macy Stone, and “The Real Omar Khayyam,” which has a portrait of Thompson and a review of his translation. This copy also includes a small keepsake menu in marbled orange wrappers, titled “Dinner Complimentary to Hamilton Brooks Wood and His Associates,” celebrating the completion of the Rose Garden and honoring those at the Commonwealth Press involved with its creation. A few additional pieces of ephemera are laid in: a prospectus, a souvenir post card showing a thimbleful of tiny books and the Worcester Memorial Auditorium, and an invitation to view the Rose Garden on display at a conference. All three books are bound in red morocco, and "A Thimbleful of Books" is in original, though worn, glassine. A near fine and complete set, with several uncommon additional items. In the original box of half-morocco and marbled boards, which shows wear to edges and corners. (Spielmann 396A; LXIVMOS V:3; Bondy, p. 154; Welsh 5345, pictured in Bromer/Edison, pp. 116-117). (The micro-miniature book measures 3/16 by 7/32; 4x6mm). Item #30192
Price: $1,150.00