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The
Royal Library
The Royal Danish Library was founded by King Frederik
III (1609-1670 – ruled Denmark and Norway 1648-1670)
around 1648 and later in 1673
the library was established in a suitable building –
just opposite Christiansborg Castle (The Danish Parliament).
During 1661 and 1664 the King acquired four private libraries
and their book collections formed the basis of the Royal Library.
Peder Schumacher - later named Griffenfeld,
became the King's librarian in 1663 - and
in the following period he completed together with the King
“Kongeloven” (Lex Regis - Royal Law)
- the constitution of Danish absolute monarchy in
1665.
The King's book collection
Peder Schumacher was a learned librarian
and a widely travelled man, who bought books in Paris,
Amsterdam and Venice and
invited French bookbinders to Copenhagen.
The Icelandic manuscripts were acquired in this period. Many
great private book collectors knew the King's passion for
books, and mostly they willed their collections to the King.
The new collections were added to the library and when the
founder of the Royal Library King Frederik III died - the
collection of books had reached over 20.000 volumes.
Founder
of the Royal Library King Frederik III painted
in 1663 - had a great passion for collecting books
and acquires several private libraries that formed
the present Royal Library book collection. |
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The
absolute monarchy in 1665 |
Painting
by C. W. Eckersberg in 1824 of King Frederik III
with Librarian Peder Schumacher named Griffenfeldt,
holding the new (Royal Law ) - constitution of
Danish absolute monarchy in 1665. |
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Opened
to the public
Slowly the collections were increased during the next century,
mainly by attaining many private collections, and at the end
of the 18th century the library had changed character and
became both a scholarly as well as a national library.
In 1793 the library was opened to the public,
and in 1906 the present building on the Isle
of Slotsholmen was inaugurated to house
the Royal Library and the National Archives.
Since the 17th century - several arrangements had ensured
that all publications printed in Denmark had to be delivered
to the Royal Library. The new building houses the first photographic
studio in the library world and book stock increases to 800,000
vols.
The
grand hall in 1673 at the Royal Library in new
premises opposite Christiansborg Castle. |
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The
great library hall in 1893 |
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The
great library hall in 1893 including King Frederik
IIIs collection from 1670. |
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The
National Danish Collections
In 1989 the Royal Library and the University Library from
1482 merged into one institution with three locations under
the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
The University Library was stocked with a
very rich book collection and manuscripts which all were destroyed
throughout the heavy fires of Copenhagen in 1728.
With the help of many donations and book contributions the
University Library was quickly re-established and at the beginning
of the 19th century the number of volumes had increased to
more than 100,000.
The National Danish Collection includes: printed materials,
such as books, journals, newspapers, pamphlets, printed in
the Kingdom of Denmark since 1482 including
Scania (Sweden) until 1658, Norway until
1814, Iceland until 1944
and the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein until 1864 as
well as Greenland and the Faeroe Islands.
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The
oldest printed book in Denmark |
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The
oldest printed book in Denmark and the Nordic
countries is the Dalby book from 1060 and written
on parchment paper. The book belongs to the
Royal Library. |
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The
eldest book from 1275 |
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The
eldest book of King Frederik IIIs Royal collection
was the book from Island named Morkinskinna from
1275 and is still in the position of the Royal
Library. |
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The
Oldest Danish book
Among the medieval manuscripts from Danish monasteries are
“Dalbybogen”, the oldest evangelical
Christian book in Denmark and the Nordic countries from Dalby
around year 1060. The book is written on
parchment paper and a part of the Royal Library’s collection
describing the Four Evangelists in writing and with additional
illustrations.
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Remarkable Danish Composition
Tango Jalousie composed by Jacob Gade - 1925
One
of the most remarkable music pieces ever composed was
Tango Jalousie - Tango Tsigane.
The
music was composed in Copenhagen by the Danish musician
Jacob Gade (1879-1963) and performed
for the first time at the Palads Cinema in Copenhagen
on 14th September 1925 - as an accompaniment
to a silent film.
Tango Jalousie is one of the best known music pieces
in the world and has the firm record to be played
every minute of the day somewhere
on this earth.
The original manuscript of Tango Jalousie
by Jacob Gade is the property of the Royal Library and
safely kept here. The manuscript was acquired by the
Royal Library in 1993.
See
video presenting Tango Jalousie
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The
original manuscript of Tango Jalousie was acquired
by the Royal Library in 1993.
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Brief
data
In 1999 the Royal library's new building
at Slotsholmen called “The Black Diamond”
was inaugurated.
In
2006 the Danish National Library of Science
and Medicine merged with the Royal Library into one institution:
"The Royal Library - The National Library and
Copenhagen University Library".
In 2007 the book stock in compress shelving
will presumably be up about 170 km.
The Royal Library is located opposite The Danish Parliament
and Christiansborg Castle.
The
Royal Library
Address:
The Royal Library
Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1
DK-1016 København K
Busses: 66
Harbour Bus 901 - 902 from Nordre Toldbod - Holmen and
Nyhavn. |
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