FIRST PRINTING OF "THE DANISH STAGE" - THE MOLIÈRE OF THE NORTH
HOLBERG, LUDVIG.
Den Danske Skue-Plads Deelt Udi 5. Tomer. Five vols. (all).
(København), 1731.
Bound in five splendid, uniform newer full calf pastiche-bindings in contemporary style. With five raised bands, gilt title-and tome-compartments and gilt ornamentation to spine. Blindstamped frame-decoration to boards and inner dentelles with blindstamped ridge. A truly splendid, unusually fine and fresh copy. Old owner's name to title-pages of volumes two and four (Joh: Pfeiffer). 1 leaf (vol. 2, f2) with a torn corner causing loss of text.
A magnificent copy of the very rare and sought-after first edition, all five volumes in the first printings, of "The Stage", being the first collected edition of Holberg’s comedies as they stood in 1731. After the publication of the first comedies, Holberg continued the publication of his plays in "Den Danske Skue-Plads" (The Danish Stage), the fourth and fifth volumes of which consist in first printings of his most famous plays eg. Erasmus Montanus. When the Grønnegade Theatre closed, Holberg ceased writing comedies and decided to gather all of his plays in one publication, which he named "Den Danske Skue-Plads". It took up five volumes, of which the last two contian no less than ten previously unpublished comedies, namely: Volume four: 1. Henrick og Pernille.- 2. Diderich Menschen=Skræk. - 3. hexerie eller Blind Allarm. - 4. Dend Pandtsatte Bonde=Dreng. - 5. Det Lykkelige Skibbrud. Volume five: : 1. Erasmus Montanus - 2. Pernilles korte Frøiken=Stand - 3. De u=synlige. 4. Den Stundesløse (af dennes titelblad er bortskåret nederste blanke del uden tekst). - 5. Den honnette Ambition. Holberg, considered the Moliére of the North, was the first Danish (/Norwegian) author to achieve international recognition and to be translated into several languages. His celebrated comedies are still performed today. "Ludvig Holberg (1684–1754) is to Danish theatre what Shakespeare, Molière and Strindberg are to their national stages – and the world stage. During his lifetime, Holberg was a major figure in European literature and thought. In the Nordic region, his work forms the backdrop to writers such as Søren Kierkegaard, Hans Christian Andersen, Henrik Ibsen and Karen Blixen. The quality of Holberg’s writings, the universality of his themes, his understanding of stage and auditorium all more than qualify him to resume his role on the international stage." (Hollitzer). Ehrencron-Müller I, 180-190; Skougaard I, 105; Johansen 13, 1-5.
Order-nr.: 63148
DKK 30.000,00