Flora Danica and French eroticism

Danish flora

The auction includes an almost complete copy of the great Danish botanical work, “Flora Danica”, which was commenced in 1761. The work features a royal seal and dedication letters from a number of different editors. The motifs formed the basis of the decorations on the exclusive “Flora Danica” table service from Royal Copenhagen.

French eroticism and British satire

There is an air of spring in the French erotic short story “Therese Philosophe (…)” from the mid-1800s! With its 20 erotic scenes, the young female storyteller invites the reader to join her on a journey of erotic enlightenment. Another of the auction’s classics is a fine first edition of George Orwell’s satirical masterwork “Animal Farm” from 1945.

Lex Regina and copper-engraved maps

Among the classics on auction is a complete set of Laurids de Thura’s “Den danske Vitruvius” (‘The Danish Vitruvius’) from 1740-1949 and a copy of the Danish “Lex Regina […] Den souveraine Konge-Lov” (‘The Sovereign Royal Law’) from 1709, which is bound and rendered with the gilt monogram of Frederik IV. In addition, there are also hand-coloured copper engravings of maps by Johan Homann and Nicolas Sanson’s very rare “Atlas Nouveau” from 1698 with 100 copper-engraved maps.

Mysteries of the East

Among the other lots presented is a copy of Basan’s “Recueil d'estampes […]” from 1771 with 127 copper engravings of works by Rembrandt, Breughel, Rubens and others. In addition, a series of 19th century photographs from Constantinople and Algiers. Also auctioned is an original handwritten letter by the famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg (1843-1907).

View all auction lots here

Preview and auction

The preview will take place at No 10 Baltikavej in Copenhagen between Thursday 8 April, 10:00-17:00 and Friday 9 April, 10:00-15:30.

The book auction will close on Sunday 11 April.

June book auction

In the middle of May, everyone with an interest in books can follow a new book auction at bruun-rasmussen.dk. The auction will close on 6 June and the preview will, as always, take place at No. 10 Baltikavej in Copenhagen from 3 June.

Please note that we are always interested in consignment of books, maps and manuscripts for our auctions.

Reduced buyer’s premium

We kindly advise you that as of 1 January 2010 we have reduced the buyer’s premium on all online auctions to 25% (20% + VAT) based on auction prices.