Suenonius Mandelgreen
Suenonius Mandelgreen | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1710 Uppsala, Sweden |
| Died | 1758 |
| Occupation(s) | Bookbinder, publisher, translator, auctioneer |
| Years active | 1736–1758 |
| Known for | Luxury bookbinding, publishing music editions, official Danish and Swedish translator for Middelburg |
Suenonius Mandelgreen was a prominent Dutch bookbinder of the eighteenth century who also made significant contributions as a publisher, translator, and auctioneer.
Bookbinder
Originally from Uppsala, Sweden, Mandelgreen received training in bookbinding and the art of gold leaf embossing before establishing his career in Middelburg within the Dutch Republic from 1736 until his death in 1758. Prior to the eighteenth century, it was customary for publishers to supply only the book’s text block, leaving clients to commission ornate bindings separately. Mandelgreen’s work, including bindings created for the Van Borssele van der Hooge family, illustrates this tradition; notably, the text block for that publication was printed by Pieter Gillissen in Middelburg.
An outstanding example of his skill is the binding of Kern der Nederlandsche historie, preserved at the Royal Library of the Netherlands (KB). This piece features a case containing eleven miniature books arranged across five shelves. Mandelgreen was among a select group of binders who marked their creations with the signature Mandelgreen fecit. His bindings are part of collections not only at the KB but also at institutions such as the Royal Library of Belgium, Zeeuws Archief, ZB Bibliotheek van Zeeland, and the British Library. It is believed he imparted his craft to his apprentice Jan Dane, who later became a publisher and binder in Flushing. Mandelgreen is regarded as one of the leading luxury bookbinders of his time.
Publisher, translator and auctioneer
Beyond his expertise in bookbinding, Mandelgreen also worked as an auctioneer and publisher. City archives list him as a printer during 1756 and 1757. Starting in 1752, he acted as the official Danish and Swedish translator for Middelburg. His publishing portfolio included sheet music such as Christian Ernst Graf's Symphony for string orchestra opus 1 and Sei Sinfonie a violino primo, secondo, viola e basso. Additionally, he promoted Graf's "Trios, being VI sonatas on violons, vol. 2 é Basso" through advertisements in the Middelburgsche Courant. Although publishing was not his primary occupation, Mandelgreen was among a limited number of music publishers operating within the eighteenth-century Dutch Republic. His edition of Graf’s Sei Sinfonie is particularly recognized for its superior quality.
Middelburgsche Courant
In 1758, Mandelgreen joined forces with Adam Laurens Callenfels and Louis Taillefert Davidsz to launch the Middelburgsche Courant. The inaugural issue was published on 26 April, establishing it as the third oldest newspaper still circulating in the Netherlands. Mandelgreen died just four months following this milestone.
Personal life
Mandelgreen was married to Anna Catharina Smitsbergen and fathered two sons—Suenonius Christiaen and Isaak—along with a daughter named Cornelia Elizabeth. The family lived in a central location on the Market square in Middelburg.
Literature
- Leeuwen, Jan Storm van. "Een Unieke Boekband Gemaakt door Suenoius [sic] Mandelgreen", in: Nehalennia 55 (1984) 3-19.
- Leeuwen, Jan Storm van and Ronald M. Rijkse, Goud en velijn. Middelburgse boekbanden van de 17de tot de 19de eeuw (Middelburg: Stichting Zeeuwse katernen, 1992).
- Zeeuws Archief, blog Luxe boekband uit de 18de eeuw, consulted January 20, 2025.