Item 53 is The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, the 1872 third edition of the Fitzgerald translation from Bernard Quaritch. Normally, this is an inexpensive book. This is not a normal copy. This is not a book to be opened, as it is valued strictly for the binding. The cover shows the image of a peacock, 31 radiating tail feathers each leading to a set garnet. Five pearls have been inlaid in the peacock's crest. This is one of the fantastic bindings from the London firm of Sangorski and Sutcliffe, probably from around 1910. $37,500.
John Windle Antiquarian Bookseller may be reached at 415-986-5826 or john@johnwindle.com. The website is www.johnwindle.com.