896/​284

Olaus Magnus (b. Sweden 1490, d. Rome 1557)

Olaus Magnus: Historia de Gentibus septentrionalibus [...]. Rome: Giovanni Maria Viotto 1555. 1st ed. Large 4to. [42 leaves] + 1–816 pages. With 472 woodcuts in the text incl. the full-page map of Scandinavia. Title page mounted on new paper. Two leaves 801/802 + colophon are facsimiles. Bound in 17th century full calf, marbled edges, spine restored.

A good copy of the first edition of Olaus Magnus' (1490–1557) famous description of the inhabitants of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Greenland. The work has especially become famous for its curious woodcuts, depicting methods of warfare, city views, local customs, sea monsters, whales, hunting and fishing sceneries, etc., all vividly illustrating the way of life in Northern Europe.

Literature: Graesse IV, 339. + 100 viktige bøker i skandinavisk litteratur. Oslo 1984, p. 13–15.

Provenance: Flemming Erik Pedersen (1931–2020).

Condition

Condition report on request. Please contact: books@bruun-rasmussen.dk

Auction

Books & manuscripts, 16 September 2020

Category
Estimate

15,000–20,000 DKK

Sold

Price realised

44,000 DKK