Press release -
Outstanding Picture Book by H.C. Andersen
A dreamer. Fantasizing. Imaginative. H.C. Andersen's creativity was unmatched and his imagination was constantly at work. We can soon present one of the finest examples of his unique creativity here at Bruun Rasmussen in Copenhagen in the shape of an almost 200-page-long picture book filled to the brim with verses and paper cuttings from the master's hand.
In the fall of 1868, Hans Christian Andersen spent several months in seclusion, during which he eagerly wrote, cut and pasted. The result was a stunningly illustrated, fantastical 184-page travel book, which he gave to the little girl Marie Henriques (1866-1944) on her 3rd birthday in 1869.
"The picture book can in all seriousness be called a true treasure,” says book specialist Lærke Bøgh. “It only exists in one original copy and is a magnificent example of H.C. Andersen's huge and unique storytelling talent – both with a pen and with scissors. We know he made several picture books for his friends' children, but Marie Henrique's picture book is one of the very last, and perhaps one of the finest, he made, since little Marie was his favourite among all the children. The book is the last of its kind in private ownership – and it has never been offered up for sale before."
"My Dearest Marie"
Marie was the daughter of the stockbroker couple Martin and Therese Henriques, whose home was frequented by many Danish and international artists and musicians such as Niels W. Gade, I.P.E. Hartmann, Edvard Grieg, August Bournonville and more. Marie was the family's adorable straggler, and she was so dear to Andersen's heart that he for several years called her his "dearest".
The story, which Andersen wrote, is about little Marie’s journey out into the world with her strict nanny Sidse. With more than 175 smaller verses, comments and a host of colourful illustrations Andersen created a spectacular visual universe where imagination and emotions are set in motion, enriched even further by small and fun passages with life lessons and many references to both Andersen himself, the many contemporary beaux esprits he surrounded himself with and not least his own famous fairy tales and poems.
Famous Picture Books
During the latter part of his life between 1850-1870, H. C. Andersen created several famous picture books, including Christine and Astrid Stampe's picture books, which he made with his good friend Adolph Drewsen. Today, 19 different books are known to exist. Andersen made nine of these himself and the rest in collaboration with people such as Drewsen and Mathilde Ørsted. Marie Henriques' picture book is among the nine that Andersen made on his own, and it was never published. The book has never been offered for sale and is the last remaining picture book of its kind in private ownership.
International Auction
Marie Henriques' picture book will be sold at the international auction in Bredgade on Tuesday, 30 May and is estimated at a value of DKK 1-1.5 million. Marie Henriques' picture book can be seen at the preview from 24 to 29 May.
Auction on Tuesday, 30 May
Topics
Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers is one of Scandinavia’s leading international auction houses, and one of Denmark’s oldest. It all started on 6 October 1948, when Arne Bruun Rasmussen conducted the first traditional auction in the saleroom at Bredgade 33 in Copenhagen. Today, Jesper Bruun Rasmussen stands at the helm of the family-run business together with the third generation of the family, his son Frederik and daughter Alexa, and the company’s CEO Jakob Dupont.
In 2004, the first online auction was launched, and today the auction house has expanded to include departments in Copenhagen and Aarhus and representations in Sweden, Germany, France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Spain, Italy, Thailand and the US. About 100,000 lots are put up for auction each year at the traditional auctions and daily online auctions. Here you can bid on everything from art, antiques, modern design and jewellery to books, coins, stamps, wine and weaponry.
