Herman H. J. Lynge
Herman Henrik Julius Lynge | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Died | May 12, 1897 (aged 74) |
| Occupation | Antiquarian bookseller |
| Known for | Establishing Scandinavia's earliest antiquarian bookshop; expertise in rare books |
Herman Henrik Julius Lynge (November 13, 1822–May 12, 1897) was a prominent Danish antiquarian bookseller who established and expanded Scandinavia’s earliest antiquarian bookshop, presently operating under the name “Herman H. J. Lynge & Søn A/S”.
Career
Originating from Copenhagen, Denmark, where his father worked as a bookbinder, Lynge commenced his bookselling training at a young age with Christian Tønder Sæbye, the founder of a second-hand bookstore in 1821. Upon completing his apprenticeship, Lynge remained employed there and assumed control of the business at just 22 years old after Sæbye’s passing in 1844. In 1853, he acquired the shop for 1,000 rix-dollars and obtained official authorization to operate as a bookseller. Despite recurrent cholera epidemics in Copenhagen, Lynge leveraged the resulting availability of private collections on the market to firmly establish himself as Denmark’s foremost antiquarian bookseller.
After N.C. Ditlewsen died in 1853, Lynge purchased his inventory and retail location at Købmagergade 45. By 1856, his establishment—initially known as “Herman H.J. Lynge (Sæbyeske Boghandling)” and later shortened to “Herman H.J. Lynge”—boasted approximately 80,000 antiquarian volumes, including rare prints and valuable editions. His deep knowledge and vast stock connected him with numerous collectors and libraries both within Denmark and internationally. He was actively engaged in book auctions and is thought to have played a significant role in managing the sale of Søren Kierkegaard’s library after the philosopher’s death in 1855; notably, the auction catalogue was exclusively available through his store.
In 1871, Lynge attracted attention by selling an extensive collection of 425 works by Ludvig Holberg to collector F.S. Bang, who subsequently donated it to Sorø Akademi. Intriguingly, after Lynge’s death it emerged that he had curated an even more comprehensive Holbergiana collection comprising 880 items. Business expansion prompted him to move in 1868 to more spacious premises at Valkendorfsgade 8.
The Man
Lynge held memberships in various literary and scientific societies and was honored with both Danish and Swedish gold Orders of Merit. He was also appointed Knight of the Swedish Vasaorden. At age seventy, he received the distinguished Danish chancellery title (Kancelliråd), an accolade rarely bestowed.
He supported cultural personalities such as Danish poet Christian Winther by purchasing their works outright while allowing them to reacquire these books later. Additionally, Lynge donated important volumes to institutions—for example, he gifted a copy of the New Testament annotated by Kierkegaard to the Danish Royal Library. His extensive holdings of rare scientific literature made him an influential figure within Denmark’s scientific circles; he frequently lent valuable texts to scholars. Furthermore, he contributed artworks and coins from his renowned collections for public exhibitions.
Death
Lynge passed away in 1897. The Danish Biographical Lexicon recognizes him as “the first proper antiquarian bookseller in Denmark,” whose expertise significantly advanced the professionalism and reputation of the trade. He was renowned for his encyclopedic understanding of books.
Continuation of the book shop
Lynge’s son, Herman Johannes Vilhelm Lynge, became involved with the firm early on and was made partner in 1892, leading to the renaming of the company as “Herman H.J. Lynge & Søn A/S.” Following his father’s death, Lynge Jr. expanded the inventory to approximately 300,000 volumes and moved the business into larger quarters across Løvstræde. He preserved the shop’s strong emphasis on scientific literature and gained international recognition as a specialist in molluscs, particularly tropical snails. His zoological contributions included authoring Marine Lamellibranchiata (1909), and he was decorated as a Knight of Dannebrog. His guiding principle was to “solve any assignment from best conviction.”
The next generation saw Lynge’s grandson, Flemming Lynge, briefly participate in the business before choosing a theatrical career instead. In 1932, ownership transferred to Axel Sandal (1885–1974), proprietor of “C.A. Reitzel.” Although Lynge remained active until retirement, he died in 1945 at eighty-two years old. Leadership then passed to Arne Stuhr until 1974 when Käthe and Max Girsel acquired the company and relocated it in 1978 to Silkegade 11—a site that continues to serve as a key Copenhagen institution preserving Lynge’s heritage.
References
- This entry includes material derived from the “Dansk Bibliografisk Leksikon,” “Salmonsens Konversationsleksikon,” the 1953 publication “Fra de gamle Bøgers Verden,” and Poul Holst’s 1980 work “Antikvarboghandel I Danmark 1640-1980.”