SOLD. Ludvig Holberg: The original edition of the most rare and sought after publication within Scandinavian literature. (3)

866/176

Ludvig Holberg (b. Bergen 1684, d. 1754)

E-M. II 153. [Ludvig Holberg]: Hans Mickelsen: Comoedier Sammenskrevne For Den Nye Oprettede Danske Skue-plads Ved Hans Mickelsen Borger Og Indvaaner I Callundborg. Med Just Justesens Fortale. Første Tome. Cph: [Poul Phoenixberg] 1723. 1st ed. 12mo. (Size of leaves, c. 14×9 cm.). 430 pp. Unpaginated. On strong paper. Titleleaf +2 + 2 last leaves in facsimile (a total of 5 facsimile leaves). 3 leaves with minor repair. One leaf with minimal tear Narrow margins. Bound in fine, later, green full morocco (spejlbind), all edges gilt, in box (Anker Kyster.)

E-M. II 156. Hans Mickelsen: Comoedier Sammenskrevne For Den Nye Oprettede Danske Skue-plads. Anden Tome. Cph: [Poul Phoenixberg] 1724. 1st ed. 12mo. (Size of leaves, c. 15×8,5 cm.). 440 pp. Unpaginated. The pages D11v and D12v are reversed. Upper part of preliminary and last leaves are affected by dampstaining, one leaf with repair. 2 leaves with minor holes affecting text, one leaf with minimal marginal hole. Bound in nice, cont. full calf.

E-M. II 159. Hans Mickelsen: Comoedier Sammenskrevne For Den Nye Oprettede Danske Skue-plads. Tredie Tome. Cph: [J.J. Høpffner] 1725. 1st ed. 8vo. (Size of leaves, c. 14,6×8,2 cm.). 320 pp. Unpaginated. Narrow margins. Some leaves with marginal, minor loss of text. Browning and soiling throughout due to age and use. One leaf wiht minor hole. Bound in half calf with gilt, crowned monogram of king Frederik VI's on spine (1840s).

First vol. contains the preface and “Den Politiske Kandestøber”, “Den Vægelsindede”, “Jean de France”, “Jeppe paa Bjerget”, and “Mester Gert Westphaler”. Second vol. contains “Den 11. Junii”, “Barselsstuen”, “Det Arabiske Pulver”, “Iuele-Stue” and “Mascarade”. Third vol. contains “Jacob von Tyboe”, “Ulysses Von Ithaca”, “Kilde-Reysen”, “Melampe” and “Uden Hoved og Hale”.

Extremely rare and unique set of the Danish-Norwegian author Ludvig Holberg's 15 first comedies. The three volumes are today only preserved in very few copies, and in private ownership it appears that this is the only complete set. Furthermore, we know of two sets of volume 1 and 2.

As the premiere and greatest playwright within Danish-Norwegian literature, Ludvig Holberg's importance to Danish literature is invaluable. His authorship is enormous, but at its core are undoubtedly the comedies. With these he was a pioneer, when he in 1722 was invited to write comedies for the first public theatre in Denmark, Komediehuset (The Comedy House) in Lille Grønnegade. For this he wrote, by commission, 15 comedies intended for the capitol's diverse bourgeois audience. All of these comedies are included in this unique set. Holberg's comedies are immortal and the best of them have been read and played continuously ever since. The comedies have not been on the open market since 1985.

H.Ehrencron-Müller: Forfatterlexikon. Holberg. I-III. Cph 1933–35. + P. Johansen: En Samling Holberg Bøger. Cph 1984. + Ballhausen: Om de bevarede eksemplarer af Hans Mikkelsens Comoedier, in: Festskrift til Erik Dal: Hvad Fatter gjør, 1982, p. 24–33.

Provenance: The Danish Holberg collector and member of Dansk Bibliofil Klub, Paul Johansen, later (since 1985) a Danish, private book collector.

Condition

Condition report on request.

Auction

Paintings, drawings & books, 20 September 2016