18. Nordic countries
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Comprising 273 MSS from Norway, Sweden, Denmark (Scandinavia), as well as Finland and Iceland, of which 5 from the medieval period follow here.
- MS 566/1 Norway (or Denmark), 2nd half of 12th c.
- MS 1385 Norway, 4 July 1467
- MS 2151 Norway, 1765-1770
- MS 2116/2 Norway, 1845
- MS 2118/1 Norway, 1865-1870
- MS 2526/3 Norway, 1923
- MS 2119/1 Norway, 1926-1929
- MS 2113 Norway, 1937
- See also MS 2223/16, Norway or England, 1247-1266
- See also MS 1281, Norway (or Denmark?), 15th c.
- See also MS 1576, Norway, ca. 15th c.
- See also MS 2913, Norway, 1636
- See also MS 2222/3, Norway, 1647
- See also MS 2222/2, Norway, 17th c.
- See also MS 1570, Norway, 17th c.
- See also MS 2128, Norway, ca. 1711-20
- See also MS 2132, Norway, ca. 1860-1869
- See also MS 4473, Norway, 1869
- See also MS 2114, Norway, ca. 1893 & 1895
- See also MS 2526/1, Norway, 1904
- See also MS 2115/1, Norway, 1912
- See also MS 2120/4, Norway, 1912
- See also MS 2120/1, Norway, 1913
- See also MS 2526/2, Norway, ca. 1930
- See also MS 2774, Norway, 1936
- See also MS 2138, Norway, 1945
- See also MS 4471, Norway, 1953
- See also MS 5272/1, Norway, 1981
- See also MS 2117/3, Norway, 1925
- See also MS 2140, Norway, ca. 1925-1938
- See also MS 2306, Norway, 1993
- See also MS 2255, Norway, 1995
- MS 1392 Sweden, ca. 1400-1460
- See also MS 1577, Sweden, ca. 1500
- MS 1585 Sweden, first half of 16th c.
- See also MS 1568, Sweden, 1540
- MS 1737 Sweden, ca. 1600
- See also MS 2308, Sweden, 1832-1835
- See also MS 2309, Sweden, ca. 1850
- MS 2125 Sweden, 1903-1921
- See also MS 1697, Denmark, 10th c.
See also MS 566/1, Norway (or Denmark?), 2nd half 12th c.
See also MS 1281, Norway (or Denmark?), 15th c.- MS 5271 Greenland, 1710
- MS 2240 Denmark, 18th c.
- MS 2528 Denmark, 1868
- See also MS 2256, Denmark, ca. 1903
- MS 2126/1 Denmark, 1923
- MS 1922 Finland, 1st half of 15th c.,
- MS 2150/1 Iceland, 13th c.
- MS 2527 Iceland, 1st half of 18th c.
- MS 2307/1 Iceland, 1830
- MS 2767 Iceland, 1861
- MS 5054 Iceland, 1861
PETRUS LOMBARDUS: SENTENTIAE 1:21.4 - 23.4; 1:25.8 - 26.4; 2:5.7 - 6.3; 3:6.6 - 7.5; 3:36.3 - 37.5; 3:39.8 - CHAPTER HEADINGS BOOK 4
MS in Latin on vellum, Norway (or Denmark?), 2nd half of 12th c., 6 ff., 30x25 cm, 2 columns, (22x15 cm), 43 lines in a small Romanesque book script of low quality, rubrics in red, uncial initials in blue, brown, red or green.
Context: From a binding marked: "1573 til 1574 E" and "1560 G". Bound in boards covered with 4 ff., pastedowns from Peter Schöffer, Mainz: Missale Hafniense, 1483-1484. 2 further ff. of this virtually unrecorded incunable were flyleaves. These were sold to Morgan Library at Sotheby's New York sale 12.12.1991:39 "Incunables from The Schøyen Collection". Bound with MS 566/2.
Provenance: 1. Rosenkilde & Bagger, København, Denmark (1989); 2. Sam Fogg Rare Books Ltd., London.
Commentary: Oldest Scandinavian MS in private hands, and among the earliest Norwegian MSS known.
Exhibited: Oslo Katedralskole 850 år, Jubileumsutstilling 10. - 14. March 2003.
DEED OF EXCHANGE: ALF THORGARDSØN, BISHOP IN STAVANGER, CONFIRMS THE EXCHANGE THAT HIS PREDECESSOR, BISHOP SIGURD BJØRNSØN, MADE WITH THORE PAA BERGE IN HYLJE PARISH, WHEREBY THORE GOT LAND IN HAUKELID IN HYLJE PARISH AND ST. SVITHUN'S CATHEDRAL IN STAVANGER GOT A PART OF HOLTE IN STRAND PARISH
MS in Middle Norwegian and Latin (dating clause) on vellum, Stavanger, Norway, 4 July 1467, 1 f., 8x23 cm, (5x19 cm), 11 long lines in a regular Norwegian cursive documentary script.
Provenance: 1. St. Svithun's Cathedral, Stavanger (1467-ca. 1537); 2. Underberge farm, Strand, Ryfylke (19th c.); 3. Sven Eskeland, Stavanger (until 1944); 4. Toralf Eskeland, Oslo (1944-67); 5. Liv Reidun Eskeland, Oslo (1967-1991).
Commentary: Published in Diplomatarium Norvegicum XV(1896):91.
1. ISACH JØRGEN COLDEVIN: BAROMETRISKE OG THERMOMETRISKE OBSERVATIONER FOR AARET 1770 PAA DØNNES GAARD I HELGELAND. METOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FROM 1770, DØNNA, NORTH-NORWAY 2. ISACH JØRGEN (GEORG) COLDEVIN: SITUATIONS CARTE OVER MAJOR LÜTZOWS DET NORDRE STÖRDAHLSKE DRAGON COMPAGNIES DISTRICT, 1765
MS in Danish-Norwegian on paper, Dønna, Norway, 1770 and Stjørdal, Norway, 1765, 7+1 ff., 21x16 cm and 30x43 cm (text 2), 6 columns, (19x15 cm and 28x42 cm (text 2)), 32-36 lines in Norwegian cursive, autograph, drawing of map (text 2).
Binding: Norway, ca. 1770, paper, sewn on 3 cords.
Provenance: 1. Isach Jørgen Coldevin, Dønna, Norway (1770-1793) (text 1); Isach Jørgen (Georg) Coldevin, Stjørdal, Norway (1765-1783) (text 2); 2. Anna Emahus Coldevin, born Tønder, Dønnes, Norway (1793-1802); 3. Hans Emahus Tønder Coldevin, Dønnes, Norway (1802-ca. 1830); 4. Coldevin family, Dønnes, Norway (19th c.); 5. Axel Coldevin, Bærum, Norway (-1992); 6. Ulf Hansen, Hønefoss (1992-1996).
Commentary: 3 June 1769 the planet Venus passed the sun, a rare astronomical constellation. European astronomers were well prepared and travelled to different countries to observe and make calculations of the distances. A Jesuit pater, Maximillian Hell, was invited by the king, Christian VII, to go to Vardøhus, far up in North Norway, even if Jesuits were forbidden to enter Norway. The Danish astronomer Peder (Christian) Horrebow was sent to Dønnes to make observations, both men with a whole staff of assistants. Maximillian Hell also visited Dønnes. When Horrebow returned to København, he left instruments such as barometer, thermometer and a sundial for Coldevin to make meteorological observations. This was done twice a day through the whole year 1770. This is the oldest series of such observations for North-Norway. Dønnes manor was by far the largest in North Norway at that time.
HENRIK WERGELAND: HADSEL-NØDDER, CH. 49, ET FRÆNOLOGISK FOREDRAG
MS in Norwegian on paper, Oslo, Norway, 1845, 4pp., 32x20 cm, single column, (30x16 cm), 37 lines in cursive script, autograph, signed.
Provenance: 1. Henrik Wergeland (1845); 2. Harald Wergeland (1845-); 3. O.T. Olsen (19th c.); 4. Didr. Andersen & Søn, Oslo (ca. 1900?); 5. Damms Antikvariat, Oslo.
Commentary: Henrik Wergeland (1808-1945) Norwegian poet. This is his last authograph work, apart from his will. Published: 1845.
BJØRNSTJERNE BJØRNSON: REISTE FORBI, POEM
MS in Norwegian on paper, Norway, 1865-1870, 1 p., 23x17 cm, single column, (21x14 cm), 25 lines in cursive script, autograph, signed.
Binding: Wien, 1950-1970, paper folder from Wiener Antiquariat.
Provenance: 1. Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (ca. 1870); 2. Wiener Antiquariat, Wien (1970-ies); 3. Bjørn Hansson, Oslo (-1995); 4. Arild and Morten Hansson, Oppegård and Hop, Norway, April 1996.
Commentary: Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson (1832-1910), Norwegian author. He received the Nobel prize in 1903.
Published: "Digte og sange", 1870, p. 148, "Jeg reiste forbi-".
1. KNUT HAMSUN: SISTE KAPITEL; NOVEL, DRAFT FOR CHAPTER 3 2. KNUT HAMSUN: DRAFT FOR LETTER CONCERNING LEGAL ISSUES MS in Norwegian on paper, Nørholm, Eide near Grimstad, Norway, 1923, 1/2 f., 10x16 cm, single column, (10x15 cm), 31+ 13 lines in a minute cursive script, autograph.
Provenance: 1. Knut Hamsun, Nørholm, Eide near Grimstad, Norway (1923); 2. Cappelens antikvariat, auksjon 31, 25.4.1999:200.
Commentary: Knut Hamsun (1859-1952), Norwegian author, Nobel prize in 1920.
Published: The novel "Siste kapitel (Last chapter)" was published Oslo, Gyldendal, 1923. The present draft was not publised.
1. ARNULF ØVERLAND: BERGET DET BLÅ; 19 POEMS 2. ARNULF ØVERLAND: HUSTAVLER; 25 POEMS 3. ARNULF ØVERLAND: ARBEIDERENES MARCHSANG; POEM 4. ARNULF ØVERLAND: DET RØDE FLAG; POEM 5. ARNULF ØVERLAND: DET DAGES I NORGE; POEM MS in Norwegian on paper, Oslo, Norway, 1926-1929, 165 pp. (complete), 22x17 cm, single column, (5x5 cm - 17x13 cm), 6-22 lines in cursive script, autograph, signed.
Binding: Oslo, 1930-1940, brown cloth over paper boards, sewn on 3 cords.
Provenance: 1. Arnulf Øverland (1926-1930); 2. Paul Gjesdahl, Oslo (1930-1969); 3. Bjørn Hansson, Oslo (-1995); 4. Arild and Morten Hansson, Oppegård and Hop, Norway.
Commentary: Arnulf Øverland (1889-1960), Norwegian author. Inscribed to Paul Gjesdahl (1893-1969) Norwegian journalist, essayist and reviewer.
Published: "Berget det blå" 1927, "Hustavler" 1929. Texts 3-5 were published in "Jeg besverger deg" 1934.
1. OLAV DUUN: MEDMENNESKE, PLAY IN 3 ACTS 2. KNUT HERGEL: COMMENTARIES AND CORRECTIONS TO OLAV DUUN'S PLAY MEDMENNESKE MS in Norwegian on paper, Namdal? (text 1) and Oslo (text 2), Norway, 1937, 151+12 ff., 22x19 cm and 19x17 cm, single column (18x16 cm and 17x16 cm), 21+17 lines in cursive script, autograph (text 1) and by Knut Hergel (text 2).
Binding: Oslo, ca. 1950, quarter morocco folding case, with a photo of Olav Duun.
Provenance: 1. Olav Duun (1937); 2. I. Såstad, Oslo; 3. Bjørn Hansson, Oslo (-1995); 4. Arild and Morten Hansson, Oppegård and Hop, Norway (1995-1996); 5. Damms Antikvariat cat. 650, Auction 18.4.1996:98.
Commentary: Olav Duun (1876-1939) Norwegian author.
Published: The play "Medmenneske" was published first as a novel in 1929, and rewritten for the theatre in 1937 in collaboration with Knut Hergel.
See also MS 2223/16, Seal of Baron Finn, Norway or England, 1247-1266
See also MS 1281, Cantorinus, Norway (or Denmark?), 15th c.
See also MS 1576, Runic calendar, Norway, ca. 15th c.
See also MS 2913, Calendar with golden numbers. Norway, 1636
See also MS 2222/3, Calendar clog. Norway, 1647
See also MS 2222/2, Calendar clog. Norway, 17th c.
See also MS 1570, Saga of Erling Skakke King of Norway. Norway, 17th c.
See also MS 2128, Snorre Sturlason: Sagas of the Norse Kings. Norway, ca. 1711-20
See also MS 2132, Hanna Winsnes: Julegaven. Norway, ca. 1860-1869
See also MS 4473, Carl Frederik Diriks: Dagbog ombord i Falken, Norway, 1869
See also MS 2114, Henrik Ibsen: Lille Eyolf. Norway, ca. 1893 & 1895
See also MS 2526/1, Knut Hamsun: En Annmældelse. Norway, 1904
See also MS 2115/1, Sigrid Undset: Fattige skjæbner. Norway, 1912
See also MS 2120/4, Gabriel Scott: Sølvfaks. Norway, 1912
See also MS 2120/1, Gabriel Scott: Kari Kveldsmat. Norway, 1913
See also MS 2526/2, Knut Hamsun: Dyr paa Gaarden. Norway, ca. 1930
See also MS 2774, William Lunden: Asbjørnsen and Moe: Norwegian folk tales. Norway, 1936
See also MS 2138, Thrond Sjursen Haukenes: Sipp, Sipp Siljelauv og andre norske folkeeventyr. Norway, 1945
See also MS 4471, Andre Bjerke: Prinsessen spinner i berget. Norway, 1953
See also MS 5272/1, Arild Nyquist: Reisen til Drammen. Norway, 1981
See also MS 2117/3, Oskar Braaten: Den store barnedåpen. Norway, 1925
See also MS 2140, Nini Roll Anker: Legende. Norway, ca. 1925-1938
See also MS 2306, Bible. Norway, 1993
See also MS 2255, Kristian Blystad: Prototypes for Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Norway, 1995
BREVIARY OF FRANCISCAN USE
MS in Latin on vellum, Sweden, ca. 1400-1460, 247 ff. (complete), 14x11 cm, single column, (10-11x7 cm), 20-21 lines in Gothic book script of high grade and medium quality, and 4 different rotunda Gothic book scripts of medium quality, 9 4-line penwork initials in red and blue, 2 8-line elaborate penwork initials with extensions in 2 margins in red, blue, mauve and green, incorporating birds, 3 5-line illuminated initials in gold and colours, one with a green bird, another with a flying dove as symbol of the Holy Spirit in white and yellow.
Binding: Sweden, late 15th c., blindtooled leather on wooden boards, sewn on 3 thongs, brass corner pieces and clasps.
Provenance: 1. Franciscan monastery, probably Sweden (15th c.-); 2. Johan Axel Almquist, Stockholm (1870-1950); 3. F. Zisska & R. Kistner, München, Auktion 18/I, 8.10.1991:5.
Commentary: Possibly the only complete Scandinavian illuminated medieval MS in private hands.
See also MS 1577, Calendar, Sweden, ca. 1500
1. UPPLANDSLAGENS KYRKBALK 2. KONUNG CHRISTOFFERS III LANDSLAG (1442) 3. OLAI PETRI: DOMARE REGLOR 4. SVERIKES GÅRDZ RETTER 5. CALMAR RECESS 6. KÜSTEN MÄLLAN SVERIGE OCH DANNEMARCK MS in Swedish on paper, Sweden, first half of 16th c. (texts 1-2), additions 1569 (texts 3-6), 136 ff. (complete), 28x20 cm, single column, (23x15 cm), 25-30 lines in a calligraphic Swedish cursive, headings in Gothic book script of medium grade and quality, decorated initials throughout, usually in flourished red with brown penwork, 15 large 4- to 9-line initials in various designs, some in Armenian style, sometimes including dragons and faces, often in colours.
Binding: Sweden, 16th c., blindstamped calf of multiple roll-tooled panels, laid on later calf, sewn on 3 bands.
Context: Texts 1, 2, and 5 are also represented in MS 1586.
Provenance: 1. Rudolf Leffler, Göteborg (19th c.); 2. Hans Ludvig Forssell, Uppsala (1843-1901); 3. H. Ericson Stevens, Småland; 4. Mrs. Ericson, Stockholm (-1992); 5. Sotheby's 23.6.1992:65.
Commentary: C.J. Schlyter: Corpus Iuris Sveo-Gotorum Antiqui, vol. XII, Lund 1869, p. 62, no. 122. The only law code MS in Swedish language in private hands from before the reformation.
See also MS 1568, Calendar. Sweden, 1540
1. OLAVUS PETRI: CHRONICON SVECIAE, EEN SWENSK CRÖNEKA (UP TO 1520) 2. CHRISTIAN II'S AFFIRMATION AT HIS ACCESSION TO THE THRONE AT STOCKHOLM IN 1520 MS in Swedish on paper, Sweden, ca. 1600, 218 ff. (complete), 32x19 cm, single column, (28x13 cm), 35-41 lines in Swedish cursive script by 2 scribes.
Binding: Sweden, ca. 1600, brown calf, with blindstamped panels in renaissance design, sewn on 4 cords.
Provenance: 1. Björck & Börjesson, Stockholm, Cat. 536(1993):68.
Commentary: Olavus's original MS from ca. 1540-50 is lost. The present MS is Olavus's most noteworthy work, not only by its literary style, but also by the critical method surpassing that of any previous chronicler. The work was not published until 1818.
See also MS 2308, A. Boström: Lärobok för mindre practiserade Sjömän. Sweden, 1832-1835 (Link to 24.13.6)
See also MS 2309, Skeppsbyggeri. Sweden, ca. 1850
1. SELMA LAGERLÖF: LEGENDEN OM JULROSORNA, SHORT STORY 2. SELMA LAGERLÖF: AUTOBIOGRAPHY UP TO 1927, PROOF WITH THE AUTHOR'S COMMENTS MS and printed text (text 2) in Swedish and German (text 2) on paper, Fryken, Sweden, 1903-1921 and1927 (text 2), 17 pp., 36x23 cm, single column, (34x20 cm), 34 lines in cursive script, autograph, signed. Text 2: 24 ff.
Provenance: 1. Selma Lagerlöf, Fryken (-1927); 2. Buchdruckerei B. Heller, München (1927) (text 2); 3. Helga Kernsbak (1927) (text 2); 4. Bjørn Hansson, Oslo (-1995); 5. Arild and Morten Hansson, Oppegård and Hop, Norway.
Commentary: Selma Lagerlöf (1858-1940), Swedish author. She received the Nobel prize in 1909. This legend was published in one of her 3 collection of legends, 1904, 1908, or 1915-21 (2 vols.).
See also MS 1697, Runic incantation formula, Denmark, 10th c.
See also MS 566/1, Petrus Lombardus, Norway (or Denmark?), 2nd half 12th c.
See also MS 1281, Cantorinus, Norway (or Denmark?), 15th c.
DIRK JACOBSZ TAYSES: HET JOURNAL EN DAGREGISTER VAN DIRK JACOBSZ TAYSES AVONTUURELYKE REYSE NA GROENLANDT GEDAAN MED TE SCHIP DEN DAM INT JAAR 1710
MS in Dutch on paper, Greenland, 1710, 22ff. incl. 10 blanks, 21x17 cm, single column (19x15 cm), 20-35 lines in cursive script, autograph.
Binding: Netherlands, 1710, marbled paper covers, sewn on 3 cords.
Provenance: 1. Captain Dirk Jacobsz Tayses, Netherlands (1710-); 2. G.J. Honig, Zaandijk, Netherlands; 3. Damms Antikvariat, Cat. 665 (Dec. 2004):577.
Commentary: Logbook of sailing ship, den Dam, during its whaling expedition to North East coast of Greenland, April- September 1710, from Belgica Bank at Jakelsbugten (78 degrees 30 min. N) as northernmost point, via Store Koldewey, Wollaston Forland, Shannon, Foster Bugt, Geographical Society Islands, Scoresby Sund, Volquart Boons Kyst, Blosseville Kyst and to Kap Gustav Holm at 66 degres 51 min. where the logbook breaks off, and the ship probably was abandoned after having passed through 7 storms, nearly being screwed down by the ice and grounded.
LÆGE OG HEXEKUNSTER OG TROLDDOM (SVARTEBOG), INCLUDING CA. 360 RECIPES
MS in Danish and Latin on paper, Denmark, 18th c., 74 ff. (-ca. 5), 16x10 cm, single column, (16x9 cm), 20-29 lines in Danish cursive script, runes, symbols, artificial script and formulas.
Binding: Denmark, 18th c., sheepskin with wrap around thong, sewn on 3 cords.
Provenance: 1. Sygehjem, Denmark (1896); 2. Politikens antikvariat, København.
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN: LILLE WILLIAM, POEM
MS in Danish on paper, Denmark, 12 November 1868, 1 f., 12x19 cm, single column, (11x17 cm), 9 lines in cursive script, autograph, signed.
Provenance: 1. Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark (1868); 2. Israel Melchior, Denmark (1868-); 3. Bruun Rasmussen auktion 646, cat. 21.4.1998:1394.
Commentary: Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) Danish author, famous especially of his fairytales. Gift to the Melchiors on the occation of their son, William's death 8 November 1868. Melchior were Andersen's benefactor when he was young and poor.
See also MS 2256, Thit Jensen: Pigen, der gik ind i en bog. Denmark, ca. 1903
GEORG BRANDES: RUSLAND 1910-1920. A. FØR KRIGEN. B. RUSLAND UNDER KRIGEN. C. REVOLUTIONEN. A REVIEW OF IVAN NASJIVIN: "RASPUTIN", A WORK IN 3 VOLS. IN GERMAN
MS in Danish on paper, København, Denmark, 1923, 49 pp., 21x18 cm, single column, (20x16 cm), 22 lines in cursive script, autograph, signed 3 times.
Provenance: 1. Georg Brandes, København, Denmark (1923-1927); 2. Bjørn Hansson, Oslo (-1995); 3. Arild and Morten Hansson, Oppegård and Hop, Norway.
Commentary: Georg Brandes (1842-1927), Danish author. Unpublished.
MISSAL: TEMPORAL FOR THE 4th, 5th, 14th AND 15th SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY, OF DOMINICAN USE
MS in Latin on vellum, Finland, 1st half of 15th c., 2 ff., 56x31 cm, 2 columns, (32x24 cm), 33 lines in Gothic book script of high grade and quality, headings in red, square neumes on a 4-line red staff, 1-to-3-line initials in red, blue or brown.
Context: The cover of the first Swedish printed edition of any law text: "Uplands laghen", Stockholm, Andreas Gutterwitz, 1607.
Provenance: 1. Dominican Monastery in Åbo, Finland (1st half of 15th c. - ca. 1550); 2. Jörenn LarrSonn W., bailiff, Borgå province, Southern Finland (1607-); 3. Gustaf Bernström, Libris Auktioner, Kat. 1974:622; 4. Björck & Börjesson, Stockholm.
Commentary: Finnish medieval MSS are rarer than even Icelandic MSS. Sir Thomas Phillipps, who had the largest MS collection ever assembled, had several Icelandic MSS, but not a single Finnish MS. Most of the surviving examples are in Helsingfors Universitätsbibliotek, all in fragments. The present MS is the only example in private hands.
- BIBLE: DANIEL 13:28 - 47; 13:51 - 62, LECTIONARY
- BIBLE: JOHN 8:1 - 3, LECTIONARY
MS in Latin on vellum, Iceland, 13th c., 1 f., 19x19 cm, originally 24x19 cm, single column, (15x14 cm, originally 20x14 cm) 19 lines of originally 24 in Romanesque book script of high quality, 3-line initial in red and blue.
Context: The binding of MS 2150/2.
Provenance: 1. Torris Torrisson, Iceland (before 1550); 2. Gertrud Persdottir, Iceland (before 1550); 3. Embret Olssen Røhrs, Norway (ca. 1800); 4. Cappelens Antikvariat, Oslo (ca. 1980-1985); 5. Ulf Hansen, Hønefoss (1985-1996).
Commentary: Near contemporary with Iceland's oldest MS, Easter tables, AM732A, from 1121-1139.-->
1. MORNING AND EVENING PSALMS FOR EACH OF THE WEEKDAYS. TRANSLATED FROM DANISH AND GERMAN BY MAGNUS JONSSON 2. MORNING AND EVENING PSALMS AND VERSES 3. SIGURDUR ASGEIRSSON: MORNING AND EVENING PSALMS 4. MAGNUS JONSSON AND OTHERS: MORNING AND EVENING PSALMS 5. SIGURDUR GISLASON: MORNING AND EVENING PSALMS 6. EASTER PRAYERS 7. PSALMS TO BE SUNG MORNINGS AND EVENINGS ALL WEEKS MS in Icelandic on paper, Iceland, 1st half of 18th c., 144 ff. (-ca. 10), 15x10 cm, single column, (12x8 cm), 19-26 lines in Icelandic rotunda Gothic book script of medium quality and Icelandic cursive script, by several scribes.
Binding: Iceland, ca. 1700-1750, blindtooled vellum sewn on 3 cords.
Context: Texts 3 and 5 are known from MS copies in the National Library, Reykjavik. Text 7 is copied from a printed book known from an incomplete copy at the National Library (Islandica XIV, pp. 35-36).
Provenance: 1. Bruun Rasmussen auktion 646, cat. 21.4.1998:1412.
Commentary: Most of the texts 1-6 are unpublished.
JOHANNES OLEAVI: THÆR STYKKRI VIKUBÆNIR (MORNING AND EVENING PRAYERS THROUGH THE WEEKDAYS), SELECTED BY THORDI THORLAKSSYNNI
MS in Icelandic on paper, Iceland, 1830, 13 ff. (-ca. 2), 16x10 cm, single column, (14x8 cm), 27-31 lines in Icelandic cursive script by Thordi Thorlakssynni, decorated titlepage.
Binding: Unbound, in a black cover.
Provenance: 1. Thordi Thorlakssynni, Skålholt, Iceland (1830-); Ragnar Fjalar Larson, Reykjavik, Iceland (-1996); 3. Damms Antikvariat, Oslo.
Commentary: Thordi Thorláksynni was bishop at Skålholt.
MARIA RIJMUR; PRAYERS TO VIRGIN MARY AND EXCERPTS FROM THE PASSION, IN QUATRAINS
MS in Icelandic on blue paper, Steinaborg, Iceland, 1861, 50 ff. (complete), 17x10 cm, single column, (15x8 cm), 25-28 lines in a rounded book script by Sigmundi Pals Sini.
Binding: Iceland, ca. 1900-1920, vellum on boards gilt, sewn on 3 cords by H.G. Svensson.
Provenance: 1. Sigmund Palsson, Steinaborg, Iceland (1861-); 2. Ragnar Asgeirsson, Iceland; 3. Einar Munksgård, Norway; 4. Lynge & Søn, København, cat. 432(1999):492.
MAGNUSI JÓNSSYN AF LANGUM Á TVI: AMBROSIUS OG ROSAMUNDA, REIMUR (POEM); KVEDNAR AF HALUGA; UPPSKRIFARAR AF BJARNAR BJARNASYNI A KOLLSVIK
MS in Icelandic on paper, Kollsvik, Iceland, 1861, 35 ff. (complete), 16x10 cm, single column, (14x9 cm), 19-21 lines in Icelandic cursive script.
Binding: Iceland, 1861, quarter calf gilt marbled boards,, sewn on 3 cords.
Provenance: 1. Bjarnar Bjarnasyni, Kollsvik (1861); 2. Private collection, Denmark, MS 270 (-2001); 3. Bruun Rasmussens antikvariat, København, Auktion 701, 10.10.2001:441.
Commentary: Ambrosius and Rosamunda might be a version of the romance Elis saga ok Rosamunu built on the French poem Elis de St. Gilles, translated by Abbot Robert at the time of King Håkon Håkonson. Rosamund might again derive from The Fair Rosamond (1140-1176), a mistress of Henry II of England, as she was the subject of many legends and stories. The legend that she was poisoned by Queen Eleanor first appears in the French Chronicle of London in the 14th c.