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BIBLE, in Icelandic

Lot 147
10.07.2024 10:30UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 6 048
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 1249786
Lot 147 | BIBLE, in Icelandic
Estimate value
£ 5 000 – 7 000
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
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10.07.2024 – 10.07.2024
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