EARLY READERS, FICTION AND BELLES LETTRES
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An early ABC primer, published in Wisconsin in 1864.
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Author: Askevold,
Bernt, 1846-1926. Notes:
The first literary work
by a Norwegian-American author published by the John Anderson Publishing
House in Chicago under the firm's earliest name. The blind-stamped ornamentation
on the front cover depicts a design reminiscent of early Nordic art. |
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Author: Anderson,
Rasmus Bjørn, 1846-1936. Notes:
This title was first
published in 1872 in a plain board cover. It was the first book of fairy
tales and secular stories published for Norwegian immigrant children.
It became a great success and was re-issued in several editions until
1900. Our library owns several printings, all featuring the same gold-stamped
design, but varying colors of cloth and border designs. |
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Author: Throndsen,
Knud, 1830-1910. Notes:
This little book was
one of the first collections of poetry by a Norwegian-American poet. It
was published and bound in B. Anundsen's publishing house, a firm that
exists to this day. |
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Author: Blessum,
Ben, compiler. Notes:
A collection of stories
collected by Ben Blessum who was also a prolific illustrator of books.
The signature "B.B." in the lower left corner of the cover design
indicates not only that he was responsible for the content of the book,
but most likely also that he created the design of this stunning Art Nouveau
binding. |
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Author: Bull,
Jacob Breda,1853-1930. Notes:
A novel by famous Norwegian
author, Jacob Bull. This book binding features a stunning Art Nouveau
design that is at the same time also reminiscent of the style and colors
used in Scandinavian folk art.The same design, but different color combinations
and cloth, was used on a number of works of fiction. |
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Author: Buslett,
Ole Amundson, 1855-1924. Notes: O.A. Buslett
was a prolific writer of fictional works and may be considered one of
the most important Norwegian-American literary authors. This book isa
story about the Norwegian North America. |
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Author: Lima,
Ludvig, b. 1877. Notes:This book
is a first collection of poetry by forty-five Norwegian-American writers,
collected by Ludvig Lima. It is bound in an exquisitely etched binding
featuring blind and gold stamping in patterns reminiscent of Viking and
old Nordic jewelry. |
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Author: Aslagsson,
Olai. Notes:
This animal story features
a poster-style cover design rarely found on Norwegian-American books.
An "Anglo-American" cover design of this artistry would surely
have been signed. |
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Author: Norstog,
Jon,1877-1942. Notes:Jon Norstog
was a prolific writer who lived in North Dakota. This title, was first
published by himself, then by Augsburg. It features a design similar in
style, though more abstract, to the one on the cover of the previous book,
Aslagsson's Under vestens himmel, especially the little prairie
house hugging the curving horizon and may well have been created by the
same artist. [Slide: courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society] |
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Author: Arnljot,
1864-1923. Notes:
This is a book about
a humorous car trip by Johs. B. Wist, written under his pseudonym, Arnljot.
The title is cleverly imbedded in the stylized design of a train, suggesting
travel and adventure. |
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Author: Rølvaag,
Ole Edvart, 1876-1931. Notes: This is one of Rølvaag's most controversial book in which he admonishes the Norwegian-American people to remember their roots and their cultural heritage. The cover design, most likely created by Ben Blessum, features many motifs from Norwegian mythology and culture and corresponds to the message of the book.. |
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Another way of bringing
fiction and poetry into the Norwegian-American households were elaborately
illustrated Christmas magazines. The most widely circulating title was
Augsburg's Jul i Vesterheimen (spine height: 35 cm.), published
between 1911 and 1957. While the cover of the 1918 issue features a Norwegian
rural setting, the later 1940s issue depicts a typical American family
(father, mother, son, daughter) standing in front of the entrance of a
typical American church. |
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Children's magazines
were another means of disseminating secular stories and devotional writings
to Norwegian-American households. Here the cover illustrations depict
a transition from a more traditional, nostalgic setting (Augsburg, 1903)
to an urban Victorian setting (Augsburg, 1915). |
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Title:
Hjem vi forlod og de hjem vi fandt. Det maleriske Norge og det Notes: The book cover of this sentimental coffee table edition (published by an "Anglo-American" publishing house) tells it all: the Norwegian immigrants have completed their journey from their modest rural Norwegian homes to the comfort of an American urban mansion.
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