BIBLE, in Icelandic - photo 1
BIBLE, in Icelandic - photo 2
BIBLE, in Icelandic - photo 3
BIBLE, in Icelandic - photo 4

BIBLE, in Icelandic

Estimate value
£ 5 000 – 7 000
Auction dateClassic
10.07.2024 10:30UTC +01:00
To bid, go to the website
CHRISTIE'S
Auctioneer
CHRISTIE'S
Event location
United Kingdom, London
ID 1249786
Lot 147 | BIBLE, in Icelandic
BIBLE, in Icelandic
Biblia Pad Er, Oll Heilog Ritning, vtlogd a Norraenu. Med formalum Doct. Martini Lutheri. Edited and partly translated by Gudbrandur Thorlaksson, Bishop of Holar (1571-1627). Holum: Jone Jons, 1584.
First edition of the Bible in Icelandic, strongly influencing the modern Icelandic language. Its publication is commemorated today on the Icelandic 50 krónur note, depicting Bishop Gudbrandur and printers at work. 'For beauty of language and faithful simplicity of style the finer parts of this version, especially the New Testament, have never been surpassed in any tongue: they stand worthily beside the work of Tyndale, Luther and Ulfila, foremost monuments of the Teutonic tongues' (F.Y. Powell). The Bible is largely the work of Gudbrandur Thorlaksson, Bishop of Holar, not only in its translation (from that of Luther) but also in its production. He imported the printing press and types to be installed in his residence and the designs of some of the woodcuts are attributed to him; the woodcut opening the Epistle to the Romans contains his initials, and the initials on title-page borders may be read as ‘G T’ or ‘G I’. King Frederick II of Denmark financed its publication in 1,000 copies and decreed that every church in Iceland should purchase one, the price varying slightly according to the means of the purchaser, and the very poor obtaining copies free. Numerous corrections were made by hand-stamping type in the margin; E. Magnusson counted 43 corrections. Brunet I, 905; Darlow and Moule 5489; Hermannsson, Icelandic Books of the 16th Century, p. 28ff; Raes, Pa sporet af gamle bibler, Copenhagen: 1995, p. 193.

3 parts in one, folio (319 x 220mm). Gothic type, Psalter and Proverbs x-xxxi in double column, without verse division, title in red and black with woodcut border, two sectional titles with woodcut borders, 29 woodcut illustrations, woodcut initials of several sets, woodcut strapwork tailpieces (lacking final text leaf with errata and colophon, without 2 blank leaves, numerous leaves repaired or partly remargined, several a little defective, headlines and shoulder notes shaved, some light browning, occasional small stain). Disbound, remains of original gilt-tooled spine, red edges; modern 4-fold card case. Provenance: a few underlinings and early annotations.
Auction house category:Books and manuscripts, Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
10.07.2024 – 10.07.2024
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.