Den Svenska Psalmboken Evangeliiboken (Rare Royal Approved Swedish Edition), 1878 📜⛪️🇸🇪

1. Introduction 📜🔍

This is an exceedingly rare and a cornerstone work of Swedish religious history. The book, Den Svenska Psalmboken & Evangeliiboken, is a dual volume containing both the official hymnal and the evangeliary of the Church of Sweden. As a rare Royal Approved Swedish Edition from 1878, this volume is a highly sought-after artifact for collectors of religious texts, Scandinavian culture, and fine gift bindings. It offers a unique window into the liturgical life of Sweden in the late 19th century.

This edition is a tangible connection to the spiritual heritage of a nation. Its historical significance and beautiful gift binding make this a premier acquisition for any serious library. The book is not merely a collection of hymns and sermons; it is a monument to the enduring traditions of the Swedish church. This volume is an extraordinary find, representing a critical period in the history of Swedish publishing and ecclesiastical life, and is made even more special by personal inscriptions from a previous owner.

2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨

Den Svenska Psalmboken & Evangeliiboken is a comprehensive liturgical guide that served as a core text for the Church of Sweden. The Psalmboken portion contains the authorized hymnbook, which includes nearly 250 hymns either written, translated, or revised by the esteemed Archbishop Johan Olof Wallin. The Evangeliiboken section provides the complete sermon texts and prayers for every Sunday and holy day of the church year. This combination made the book a complete resource for clergy and laypeople alike.

The book’s physical form is a beautiful and detailed example of a gift binding from its era. The full-leather cover, with its intricate gilt decoration, speaks to the book’s importance. While it was intended as a spiritual guide, its small size and deluxe binding suggest it was meant to be a portable and cherished personal item. The book is a fascinating artifact that illustrates the deep commitment of publishers to creating beautiful and functional religious works for a devoted audience.

3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️

The core of this Psalter is the work of Johan Olof Wallin (1779-1839), a Swedish priest, orator, and hymn writer who was appointed Archbishop of Uppsala. He is widely considered the "father of the modern Swedish hymn." His work was monumental, as he revised and contributed to nearly all the hymns in the official Swedish hymnal of 1819, which this volume is a later printing of. His hymns are celebrated for their literary quality, theological depth, and spiritual resonance.

The book’s publisher, C. O. Ekblad & Company, was a well-known publisher in the Swedish port town of Västervik. Their decision to produce a high-quality, deluxe edition of this important religious text speaks to the book’s enduring popularity. Ekblad’s work ensured that the official hymns and gospel texts were made available in an elegant and portable format. The book is a product of a collaboration between a respected archbishop and a dedicated publisher.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1878, this book is an artifact of a period of immense change in Sweden. The nation was rapidly industrializing and undergoing significant social reforms. While the state church remained a central institution, the era saw new intellectual and religious currents, including a growing interest in personal piety. The book is a tangible link to this period, representing the desire of the populace to maintain a connection to their faith amid a changing world.

The book is a "time capsule" of late 19th-century Swedish life and its deep connection to faith. The book’s royal approval, which dates back to the 1819 edition, signifies its official standing and importance within the state. This volume reflects the values of its time and provides a hopeful look at a society that was balancing tradition with a modernizing world. It serves as an important record of the transitional period between Sweden's agrarian past and its industrial future.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is intended for a curator of American religious history, a scholar of Scandinavian studies, or a private collector of fine gift bindings. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book's dual significance as both a historical record and a repository of faith. This is a perfect fit for a collection that cherishes the intimate story behind a religious artifact. It appeals to a collector interested in the intersection of culture, history, and the art of bookmaking.

A true bibliophile would appreciate the intricate details of the gilt binding and the rich intellectual history contained within its pages. The book is an essential piece for an individual building a library that tells the story of a nation's spiritual life. It is not just for display, but for a reader who is serious about understanding the lives and creative journeys of a nation's people.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a rare Royal Approved Swedish Edition from 1878 with personal inscriptions, this book represents a genuinely scarce non-replicable asset class. Utilitarian books like hymnals were heavily used and often did not survive in good condition. The fact that this volume has a documented history and remains in such a solid state makes it a genuine rarity on the market. The book is a unique window into the history of Swedish faith and publishing. The price is a direct reflection of the book's rarity, its historical significance, and its condition for an item of its age.

The book's value as a historical document and a physical artifact makes it a strong acquisition. Its true worth lies in its historical context and its scarcity within the specialized field of antiquarian books. This is a unique and non-replicable asset class that is unlikely to reappear on the market for years to come. This volume offers a unique opportunity to build a personal library with an item of true academic and historical significance.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is a handsome survivor from the late 19th century, showing honest and authentic wear consistent with its age. The full-leather gift binding is in solid state, with a tight and sound binding. The covers show significant rubbing and scuffing, particularly along the edges and on the spine, where the gilt decoration has worn away in places. The pages have some expected discoloration and light foxing throughout, a natural process for paper from this period.

The pages are free from any major tears or stains, and the interior text block is clean. The book is free of any detached or loose pages. There are several personal inscriptions on the front endpaper, which add a unique layer of history. The book has been well cared for over the centuries and remains a functional, readable object. Its preservation is a powerful indicator of the high regard in which it was held by its previous custodians.

8. Translation of Inscriptions/Ephemera (Conditional) ✍️📜🔤

This book contains several personal inscriptions on the front endpaper, written in light pencil. These marks provide a fascinating glimpse into the book's history and its previous owners.

The inscriptions read: "Ingar Persson 1898" and again, below: "Ingar Persson 198" (with the last digit faded or incomplete)

These inscriptions indicate that the book was owned by "Ingar Persson" in 1898, and possibly again in a later year (likely 198X), suggesting a long period of ownership within the same family or by the same individual. These personal marks transform the book from a standard historical object into an artifact with a documented chain of ownership, adding a unique and intimate dimension to its story.

9. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

Johan Olof Wallin's 1819 hymnbook is considered a literary masterpiece in Sweden. It is a work of great poetic and spiritual power. Wallin was a master of his craft, and his work elevated the literary quality of Swedish hymns to a new level. The 1819 Psalmboken is often referred to as "the second Psalter," and it remains a central part of Swedish culture to this day.

Another unique fact is that this book's small size and deluxe binding suggest it was a personal item, perhaps a gift or a cherished possession. It would have been carried to church for worship services and used for private devotion. The book is a tangible link to a period of personal piety in Sweden, when individuals were seeking a deeper connection to their faith. The book is a true record of an individual's personal journey.

10. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: Den Svenska Psalmboken & Evangeliiboken

• Author/Maker: C. O. Ekblad & Company, with hymns by Johan Olof Wallin

• Year: 1878

• Publisher/Foundry: C. O. Ekblad & Company

• Place of Origin: Västervik, Sweden

• Format/Binding: Full Leather, Hardcover

• Edition: Royal Approved Swedish Edition

• Rarity: Rare