Joe Isom Illustrates The Rubayyat of Omar Khayyam

I found a remarkable little book at a local thrift shop last week. Published by Hallmark Cards Inc. in 1967, it's beautifully illustrated throughout by an artist named Joe Isom.



(Above; the dust jacket image and below, the hardcover artwork)





































"Chester Joe Isom Jr. grew up in Kansas City and started his freelance career at Hallmark among other great artists/friends of the time. He worked as a freelance illustrator for over 35 years. In November of 2000, our dad passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 58." ~ Matthew Isom (Joe Isom's son)

Thanks to Dave Groff for locating the brief biographical information above, originally posted in a comment on this blog.