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Wolff & Deken – History of the Lord William of Orange – Complete 8-part first edition (1784–1785) – With Ex Libris of Frits Lugt
€519,00
€799,00
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It is 1785. In a stylish Amsterdam salon, a new letter from the life of Willem Leevend is read aloud. Family and friends listen attentively as the protagonist struggles with love, parenting, faith, and the expectations of society. The conversations that follow are not only about the story, but also about the society in which they themselves live.
More than two centuries later, that same story is still before you. Not as a modern reprint, but as a complete original eight-volume edition from the eighteenth century. A work that has captivated generations of readers and which also appears to have come from the private library of one of the Netherlands' greatest art historians.
Product description
This complete eight-volume edition of Historie van den Heer Willem Leevend is one of the most important literary works of the Dutch Enlightenment. The famous female writers Betje Wolff and Aagje Deken wrote this novel in letter form between 1784 and 1785. The work is considered one of the first psychological novels in Dutch literature and is still regarded as a classic.
What makes this set special is not only its completeness, but above all its exceptional provenance. Each volume contains the Ex Libris "Ex Libris Veteribus F. Lugt" of Frits Lugt (1884–1970), the internationally renowned art historian, Rembrandt expert, and founder of the Fondation Custodia in Paris.
In addition, the books contain handwritten inventory and catalogue numbers, including notes such as 16.156/70 and "M v.3 – Wol". These appear to come from Lugt's own registration system and enhance the historical documentation and collectible value of this special set.
The books are beautifully bound in uniform leather spines with gold lettering. Some volumes show normal signs of wear and age appropriate to their age of over 240 years, but overall the complete series is in good and well-preserved condition.
Historical context
When Willem Leevend appeared, it was revolutionary. Where earlier novels focused mainly on adventure or heroic deeds, Wolff and Deken brought their readers close to the inner lives of their characters. Through hundreds of letters, a story unfolds about parenting, friendship, love, morality, and personal development.
The novel also provided a vivid picture of Dutch society just before the Batavian Revolution. This makes it not only a literary masterpiece, but also a valuable historical source on daily life, social relations, and the worldview of the late eighteenth century.
The provenance makes this set extra special. Frits Lugt was one of the greatest private collectors in the Netherlands and built a world-famous library and art collection. Books from his possession only occasionally appear on the market and are valued by collectors because of their documented provenance.
Why is this set special?
- Complete set of 8 volumes
- Original edition from 1784–1785
- One of the most important works of the Dutch Enlightenment
- Written by Betje Wolff and Aagje Deken
- Features the Ex Libris of Frits Lugt
- Handwritten inventory and catalogue numbers present
- Uniformly bound with leather spines and gold lettering
- Highly attractive to collectors of old books, literature, and provenance
Specifications
Title: Historie van den Heer Willem Leevend
Authors: Betje Wolff & Aagje Deken
Number of volumes: 8 (complete)
Date: 1784–1785
Publisher: Isaac van Cleef, Amsterdam
Binding: Uniform leather spines with gold lettering
Dimensions per volume: approximately 21 × 13 cm
Provenance: Ex Libris Ex Libris Veteribus F. Lugt present in each volume. The combination of the Ex Libris of Frits Lugt, the uniform inventory numbers, and the consistent registration in all eight volumes makes provenance from the library of Frits Lugt plausible, although this cannot be established with complete certainty without additional archival research.
Condition: Good condition. Normal signs of wear and age appropriate to its age. Interiors clean and complete.
Where would this set look its best?
This complete series would feel at home in a classic library, a historic interior, or a stylish bookcase where old bindings can draw attention. It also makes a beautiful eye-catcher for collectors of Dutch literature, old editions, or provenance pieces. Thanks to the uniform leather bindings, the series also has a particularly decorative appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is this an original eighteenth-century edition?
Yes. This is a complete original edition from 1784–1785, not a later reprint.
Are all eight volumes present?
Yes, the complete series of eight volumes is present.
Who were Betje Wolff and Aagje Deken?
They are among the best-known Dutch female writers of the eighteenth century and are considered pioneers of the modern Dutch novel.
Why is the Ex Libris of Frits Lugt special?
Frits Lugt was one of the most important art historians and collectors in the Netherlands. Books from his library are highly prized by collectors because of their documented provenance.
What do the handwritten numbers mean?
The inventory numbers appear to come from Lugt's own cataloging system. Although complete documentation is not available, such registrations contribute to the historical provenance of the set.
Are the books easy to read?
Yes. Given their age of over 240 years, the volumes are in well-preserved condition with normal signs of wear. The text blocks are complete and easy to read.