De la Bruyères Caracterer Eller Sede-Bilder Af Menniskor by Jean de La Bruyère (Rare First Swedish Edition), 1764 📜🇸🇪🧐
























1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️
This is a rare first Swedish edition of the celebrated French classic, Les Caractères. Published in Stockholm in 1764, this volume is an investment-grade artifact.
Its status as the first translation of this seminal work into Swedish is a distinction that commands attention. This edition is also unique for its personal inscription, which provides a glimpse into the book's journey through time.
The book is a document of the European Enlightenment's influence on Scandinavia. Its creation marks a pivotal moment when Swedish literary culture began to engage with the works of great French moralists. For the discerning collector of rare books, this item offers a non-replicable asset. It holds both intellectual and material value.
2. About the Book 📖✍️✨
Les Caractères is a collection of portraits, maxims, and reflections. It offers a satirical critique of the social manners of 17th-century French society. The work is a masterpiece of moral philosophy, presenting a gallery of archetypal characters. La Bruyère’s genius lies in his ability to capture human nature with piercing wit and elegant prose.
This specific edition is a Swedish translation. It was translated by Abraham Sahlstedt, a key figure in 18th-century Swedish intellectual life. His work made La Bruyère's profound insights accessible to a new audience. The book's publication signifies the widespread popularity of Enlightenment ideals.
3. About the Author ✍️🏛️✨
Jean de La Bruyère (1645-1696) was a French moralist and essayist. He lived and wrote during the reign of King Louis XIV. His only major work, Les Caractères, was published anonymously in 1688and was an immediate sensation.
La Bruyère's work earned him a place in the prestigious French Academy. He was a follower of the Greek philosopher Theophrastus, whose work inspired his book. La Bruyère’s ability to combine insightful psychological portraits with sharp satire has placed him among the immortals of French literature.
4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜
This book's publication in 1764 places it in Sweden's "Age of Liberty." This was a period of rich intellectual and political development. This era was characterized by the flourishing of science, literature, and the arts. French culture, in particular, influenced the Swedish nobility. The translation of La Bruyère's work is a direct reflection of this cultural exchange.
The publication occurred just two years before the Swedish Freedom of the Press Act of 1766. This landmark legislation was one of the world's first laws of its kind. The book's themes of morality, society, and the observation of human nature were a fit for an era of philosophical introspection and social reform. This edition is an artifact of a nation on the brink of significant transformation.
5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️
This book is a perfect fit for a curator of Scandinavian literature or a scholar of the European Enlightenment. It is ideal for an individual who values a book's historical weight and its capacity to tell a story of cultural transmission. The volume's rarity and scholarly importance speak to a collector who seeks a rare item and an object that has been a tool of knowledge for centuries.
This book belongs in a collection that cherishes the primary sources of Western civilization. It is an artifact for someone who will appreciate the details of its binding and text. Its presence on a shelf would signal a deep-seated interest in Scandinavian history and the traditions of scholarly publishing.
6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️
This 1764 first Swedish edition is a very rare find due to its historical importance and its limited production. Early translations of major European thinkers are highly sought after by collectors. The book's value is derived from its distinguished place in the history of Swedish literature and philosophy.
This volume is unique for its personal inscription, which provides a direct and intimate connection to a previous owner.
The price is a direct reflection of its scarcity and its documented place in the history of Enlightenment-era publishing. This book is a non-replicable asset. Its importance as a historical and academic resource ensures its continued value.
7. Condition 🔎📚✨
This book is a handsome survivor. It shows authentic wear consistent with a book from the 18th century. The full leather binding is solid and sound. The covers show expected rubbing and scuffing. The gilt lettering on the spine remains relatively bright. The pages have some expected toning and light foxing.
The interior pages are free of major tears or markings. The handwritten inscription on the inside front cover is clear and well-preserved.
The overall condition is wonderful for a volume that is over 250 years old.
8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤
The inside front endpaper of this book features a handwritten inscription in Swedish. It is signed by M. E. Lindblom. This personal note provides a direct and intimate connection to the book's history.
The text reads: Catharina von Otter M. E. Lindblom
The inscription of these names transforms this book from a simple text into a singular historical document. It connects this volume to two specific individuals who lived almost three centuries ago. This is a fascinating glimpse into the intellectual life of the Swedish elite in the 18th century.
9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩
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The book's translator, Abraham Sahlstedt, was a prominent Swedish writer and royal secretary. His translation was part of a broader effort to introduce Swedish readers to the philosophical and literary trends of the European Enlightenment.
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The original French work, Les Caractères, was a bestseller in its time. La Bruyère continued to add to it through nine successive editions.
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The book was published in Sweden during a period known for its burgeoning literary and scientific scene. This era produced many of Sweden's most celebrated literary figures.
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The book is a rare example of a translation from this period, which saw a shift from Latin to Swedish as the primary language of scholarship.