Royal presentation copy

[Dahlbergh, Erik]. Suecia antiqua et hodernia.

[Stockholm, 1693-1714].

Large oblong folio. 3 vols. in 1. 354 engravings on 321 plates (some folding). 13 pp. index. Marbled brown calf with double borders of six different rolls (gilt-stamped tendrils, blossoms, and fleurs-de-lis) and double fillets, gilt-stamped label to richly gilt spine, leading edges and inner dentelle gilt, marbled endpapers and matching fore-edge marbling.

 18,000.00

First edition of this splendid collection of Swedish views. In a master binding by the Swedish bookbinder Gustaf Hedberg (1859-1920).

The first copies of this work, printed at the cost of the Swedish king, were given away by the royal family; it was not for sale until 1772. The present copy is one of the few ones with the plates bound flat in oblong folio (instead of folded in large oblong 4to), for which the plates frequently had to be mounted within paper borders or remargined to ensure a uniform large oblong folio format.

Hinges imperceptibly restored. Interior slightly fingerstained and with professionally restored tears; altogether a well-preserved copy of the rare plano edition; plates in early, bold impressions.

References

Brunet V, 578. Graesse Vi, 519. Ebert 21882. Hiler 211. Ornamentstichslg. Bln. 2256. Lipperheide Haa 3. Thieme/B. VIII, 276. Collijn 1600-talet 197. Warmholtz 207. Avery AH485. AKL XXIII, 421.

Stock Code: BN#13151 Tags: , , , ,