Johannes Schefferus or Jean Scheffer - History of Lapland, first edition - 1678

1678 FIRST FRENCH EDITION about Lapland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, travel, exploration, natural history, arctic circle, weather, hunting, fishing, marriage, handicraft, clothing, diet, mythology, gnomes, elves and lifestyle of the Sámi/Saami people and Nordic countries. Richly illustrated with a large coloured map (height 245 x width 350 mm) and 29 engravings showing esoteric magical rites, transport systems, animals and dwellings in the 17th century. The author Johannes Schefferus or Jean Scheffer (1621-1679) was one of the most important Swedish humanists of his time. Scheffer also spent time on philological and archaeological studies, the first latin edition of the Saami people, "Lapponia" (1673) became popular around Europe but was not translated into Swedish (as Lappland) until 1956. This is the first french edition (1678), 4 years before the first Dutch edition printed in Amsterdam by Jan ten Hoorn in 1682 with only 16 illustrations. "This history long remained the main source of information on Lapland and Sámi People" (Cox). Hardback vellum binding in excellent condition with titles on the spine. The same first French edition is currently listed for $3,140.00, and the first Dutch edition is listed for $4,130.00, and it's being offered here for a fraction of that price. References; World Cat OCLC 1178467919; USTC n°6089474; Wing S851A (English edition); Madan 3023 (English edition); VD17 23:246661E (1673 Latin edition); Cox I, p. 178; Fant 35; Warmholtz 705; Marklund 2611; Carlander III 568; Early European Books (Proquest) fra-bnf-rlr-00003917-001.

Christina, Queen of Sweden personally summoned Jean Scheffer to Sweden in 1648 to be installed as Professor of Oratory and Government at Uppsala University, a position he held until his death in 1679. Schefferus or Scheffer was also commissioned by the royal house to undertake a study of the Sámi people, primarily because rumors circulated widely in Europe about the heathen traditions and magic allegedly flourishing among the Lapps. Scheffer based his work on both his own experiences among the Saami and the extensive collections of manuscripts and artifacts at Uppsala. In this book the author illustrates in great detail all aspects of the life of the Sámi populations: local customs, esotericism, magical rites, weapons, trades, religion, hunting, fishing, skiing, animals, nature, geography, camp arrangements, daily activities, language, plus the Saami people's passion for tobacco, purchased at markets in Norway. The work is a unique depiction of how people lived in the Nordic countries during the 17th century and the various geographical and social differences among the native Sami people in the regions of Sweden, Norway and Finland between truth and myth.

TITLE : Histoire de la Laponie, sa description, l'origine, les moeurs, la maniere de vivre de ses habitans, leur religion, leur magie, & les choses rares du païs...Traduites du latin de monsieur Scheffer…(History of Lapland, its description, origin, customs, the way of life of its inhabitants, their religion, their magic, and the rare things of the country...Translated from the Latin of Mr. Scheffer…)
AUTHOR: Johannes Schefferus or Jean Scheffer (1621-1679), translated from the 1673 Latin edition by Father Augustin Lubin (1624-1695)
PUBLISHER: Widow of Olivier de Varennes
DATE: 1678, printed in Paris, complete illustrated book

DESCRIPTION: In 4to size, height 245 x width 198 mm (9.7 by 7.8 inches). Pages [16], 408 pages, richly illustrated with 29 illustrations and 1 beautiful hand colored map of Lapland and Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland). 1900s hardback vellum binding, solid in excellent condition with titles on the spine. Pages and illustrations in good condition, few small stains or oxidation here and there, but not serious. COMPLETE FIRST FRENCH EDITION.

AUTHOR: Johannes Schefferus or Jean Scheffer (1621-1679) was one of the most important Swedish humanists of his time. Schefferus was born in Strasbourg, he came from the patrician family (Scheffer), studied at university there and briefly in Leiden, and was in 1648 made professor of eloquence and government at Uppsala University, a chair he held until his death in 1679. Schefferus also spent time on philological and archaeological studies. His "De Orbibus Tribus Aureis" (The Three Golden Orbs) became the first publication on Swedish archaeology. The story of the Sami people, Lapponia (1673) became popular around Europe but was not translated into Swedish (as Lappland) until 1956. His posthumous 1680 publication, "Suecia Literata" (The Learned Sweden) is a Swedish history of science bibliography.

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