Christian IV Bible
Third translation of the Bible into Danish
This 1633 Bible is the third edition of the Bible published in Danish. It was commissioned by King Christian IV to revise the previous 1589 edition, commissioned by King Frederik II. Funds for the printing were raised mostly in Norway, which suffered a shortage of parish Bibles. Christian IV viewed it as a prestige project and insisted on a large edition with elaborate woodcuts and engravings.
The earliest identifiable owner of this Bible is Cecilie Pedersdatter Fabricia. She received the bible as a New Years gift in 1664 from her husband Gert Stalhoff, a Danish physician.
From 1790-1797, the owners used it to record the births and deaths of several members of their family. Bibles are frequently used for family history, but this copy served this purpose for only a few years. It is not known when the Bible traveled to the US, but in the 1900s it was given to Dana College.
It is estimated that only around 200 of the original 2000 copies have survived. The majority are still in Denmark.
Christian IV Bible
Copenhagen, Denmark
1633
Leather, Paper
Museum Purchase
2011.040.091
Commemorative Medal
In 1883 a “Luther party” celebrating Martin Luther’s 400th birthday was held in Denmark. Similar medals were created in other countries to commemorate Martin Luther. Each of these would have several changes such as a change in portrait or message. This medal changed “Martin” to the Danish name “Morten.”
