SOLD: The very rare First Edition of the History of the Scandinavian Peoples with 473 Woodcuts from 1555

Olaus, Magnus . Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus, earumque diversis statibus, conditionibus, moribus, ritibus, superstitionibus, disciplinis, exercitiis, regimine, victu, bellis, structuris, instrumentis, ac mineris metallicis, & rebus mirabilibus, necnon vniuersis penè animalibus in Septentrione degentibus, eorum cp natura. Rome, Giovanni Maria Viotti, 1555. - 42 leaves, 815 pages, complete. With 473 woodcuts (5 full-page). - Small folio (268 x 199 mm). Light brown calf leather binding of the 18th century, five raised bands, spine gilt with floral and ornamental elements, "BRUNCK" gilt-stamped in the bottom compartiment (slightly rubbed).

The Promised (North)Land

This is the very rare first edition of the famous history and encyclopedic description of Scandinavia by Olaus Magnus from 1555, illustrated with almost 500 woodcuts.
The author emphasizes the ›exotic‹ peculiarities of Nordic folk life, on natural and climatic conditions, customs and superstitions, animal husbandry and hunting, especially fishing and whaling.
The copy bears an ownership note dated 1689 by Johannes Eichrodt, Procurator at the Imperial Chamber Court; the 18th century binding was commissioned by the Strasbourg bibliophile Richard Franz Philipp Brunck; later the book was owned by Marcel Jeanson, foremost collector of hunting literature in the 20th century.

Literature: BM STC Italian 404; Brunet III, 1302; Ceresoli 383f.; Cox I, 177; Drei 226; Ebert 12786; EDIT 16 CNCE 39066; Mortimer, Italian, no. 270; Nissen, ZBI 2648; Rahir 564; Schwerdt II, p. 3f.; Thiébaud 692f.; Tooley 414.

This book has been described in great detail in our catalogue 90 “Wunderkammer”, lot 54. Click here to view the eCatalogue or order the printed version in our Online Shop.

If you would like to receive further information on this work, please contact us.