ONE OF THE MOST MAGNIFICENT OF ALL FUNERAL BOOKS

MASIUS, HECTOR GOTTFRIED.

Traur-rede Welche Bey des Hochgebohrnen Herrn, Herrn Christian Güldenleu [...] Leichbegängnis, bey hoher Versamlung, auch königlicher allergnädigster Gegenwart.

Copenhagen, Joachim Schmitgen, 1709.

Folio (398 x 260 mm). In a magnificent full brown morrocco binding with five raised bands, richly gilt spines, elaborate gilt borders to boards, inner gilt dentelles, gilt capitals and gilt ornamentation to edges of boards. All edges gilt. Binding signed by Anker Kyster. Sunning to spine and a few scratches to boards. A very nice wide margined copy. (10), 112, (11), (2), 36, (29) pp. + 7 large folded plates (including the frontispiece). 
Plates numbered A-F, by Andreas Reinhardt after Gottfrid Fuchs. The frontispiece was drawn by J.S. Ebert. Five of the plates bear dates, which range from 1704 to 1707. The frontispiece and plate C incorporate a portrait of Gyldenlöve. Plate A shows the casket being taken off an illuminated ship at night. Plate B, the procession through Copenhagen (4 joined sheets, 1850 mm). Plate C, closely trimmed with professional repair to inner margin, shows the laying in-state, Plate D (3 joined sheets 1470 mm) shows the funeral ceremony with the catafalque. Plate E (3 joined sheets, 1600 mm), shows the procession leaving the church with the casket. Plate F, closely trimmed with minor loss of text, shows the casket.


The very scarce first appearance of one the most magnificent of all funeral books and one of the finest examples of Danish book production in general. In a grandiose baroque-style, the work documents the funeral procession of King Christian V’s young son Christian Gyldenløve’s, Count of Samsø. The procession through Copenhagen and final burial in Church of Our Lady took place in the evening, which is why the plates were printed in dark tones.

Christian Gyldenløve, Count of Samsø (1674-1703), was a Danish nobleman and military officer. He was the illegitimate son of King Christian V of Denmark and his mistress Sophie Amalie Moth. Christian Gyldenløve was born on November 28, 1674, in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Gyldenløve had a military career and achieved the rank of colonel. He participated in various military campaigns and battles, including the Scanian War (1675-1679) against Sweden. He commanded his own regiment and gained a reputation as a skilled and brave officer.
In addition to his military duties, Christian Gyldenløve held several noble titles. In 1698, he was appointed Count of Samsø, which is a Danish island located in the Kattegat Sea. He also held the title of Lord of Rosenborg.

Tragically, Christian Gyldenløve's life was cut short at the age of 28. He died on July 16, 1703, during the Battle of Thorn (modern-day Torun) in Poland, while fighting in the service of the Polish king against the Swedish forces. His premature death was a source of sorrow for his family and the Danish court to which this lavishly printed book is a testament to.

The work was printed in 275 copies.

Dansk Boghåndværk gennem Tiderne 75.
Bibliotheca Wegeneriana 2189

Order-nr.: 60424

DKK 40.000,00