The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam:
Unknown Year Barse & Hopkins Ardsley Series Edition

This Barse and Hopkins looks to be of the ‘Ardsley Series’, noted in this 1918-1919 catalog from the publisher. There’s more information on the publisher here on the Series of Series website.

Given that the series book listing on that catalog seems smaller than the list featured in this edition itself, I’m not sure if that means this is later or earlier than 1918/1919 or something else. The catalog doesn’t declare it as a new series, unlike the next one featured, the Bancroft Series. I was initially comfortable putting it decidedly in the ~1910s camp, but I wonder if it lasted into the early ~1920s (no later than 1925, given the publisher history and the location). The build itself seems slightly different than the image presented on the catalog…the catalog doesn’t have the black corners in the image, but I don’t know how faithful the images actually are. The description does say “with an offset printed box cover to match”, so perhaps that is what the image is of? I’m not sure. But it definitely seems like of the Ardsley series based on description and the look of it. If I’m wrong, someone let me know or I’ll update if I determine as such.

This edition and its photos were contributed by a visitor. Thank you!

Update 2025-06-07: Added picture of top of the book and mentioned gold-gilding.