Hassan: The Story of Hassan of Bagdad and How He Came To Make the Golden Journey to Samarkand (1922) – by James Elroy Flecker, illustrated by Thomas Mackenzie

Published in 1922 by William Heinemann, Hassan: The Story of Hassan of Bagdad and How He Came To Make the Golden Journey to Samarkand is a poetic and richly atmospheric play by James Elroy Flecker, brought vividly to life through the elegant and fantastical illustrations of Thomas Mackenzie. A tale of romance, mysticism, betrayal, and personal transformation, the work blends Eastern exoticism with poetic drama, drawing heavily from Persian and Arabian storytelling traditions.

The play tells the story of Hassan, a humble confectioner of Baghdad who is swept up in a whirlwind of intrigue and peril. After falling in love with a beautiful princess and crossing paths with powerful and corrupt officials, Hassan finds himself on a journey that leads to spiritual awakening and, ultimately, to the mythic city of Samarkand—a place symbolizing beauty, destiny, and inner peace. Flecker’s lyrical language and evocative themes reflect his fascination with the East and his own philosophical and spiritual inquiries.

Thomas Mackenzie’s illustrations perfectly match the opulent and dreamlike tone of Flecker’s tale. His decorative Art Nouveau style, intricate linework, and dramatic compositions lend the edition a sense of magic and refinement. The illustrations are at once romantic and otherworldly, incorporating stylized architecture, flowing robes, and rich ornamentation reminiscent of Persian miniature painting and early 20th-century decorative art.

About the Illustrator:
Thomas Mackenzie (1887–1944) was a British artist and illustrator associated with the latter phase of the Golden Age of Illustration. Influenced by Aubrey Beardsley, Kay Nielsen, and Art Nouveau aesthetics, Mackenzie’s work is known for its fine detail, theatrical elegance, and imaginative complexity. Though his career was relatively brief, he produced some of the most striking illustrated editions of his time, including The Crock of Gold (1912) and Arthur and His Knights (1920). His illustrations for Hassan are among his most celebrated, showcasing his ability to merge fantasy with visual opulence.

Recommended for Collectors

• The Golden Journey to Samarkand (1913) by James Elroy Flecker – The original poetry collection that inspired the play
• Stories from the Arabian Nights (1907) illustrated by Edmund Dulac – For a complementary Orientalist vision
• The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám (1909) illustrated by Willy Pogany – Another lush interpretation of Persian poetry
• The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám (1913), illustrated by René Bull – A sensuous and philosophical Persian classic with rich Orientalist artwork.

Art Gallery: Thomas MacKenzie – The Story of Hassan of Bagdad 1924