KIERKEGAARD'S LOST BOOK TO ANDERSEN UNCOVERED
27 September 2006. - The Copenhagen Post Online

The discovery of a second edition copy of Søren Kierkegaard"s "Either-Or" confirms a connection - if only fleeting - between the philosopher and poet Hans Christian Andersen "To the Danish poet…H C Andersen."

These words, inscribed in a second edition copy of Søren Kierkegaard's "Either-Or", represent one of the most important literary finds in recent years. Although Søren Kierkegaard and Hans Christian Andersen were contemporaries - most likely rubbing shoulders in Copenhagen"s intellectual circles during Denmark"s Golden Age of the 1840s - their relationship had been merely speculative. At least until the discovery of the book.

Several years ago, scholars had discovered an effusive "thank you" letter signed by Andersen among Kierkegaard's papers, but the book itself remained elusive. Its discovery on the bookshelves of a wealthy Copenhagen family provided positive proof that the sometimes public feuding between the two had its basis in a personal relationship.

"The book is historically invaluable, since it represents the only physical evidence of direct contact between Denmark"s two most important authors," said Sebastian Hauge Lerche, head of communications for auctioneer Bruun Rasmussen. "Seen from an international buyer"s perspective, this is a literary treasure as well."

Whether the book will remain in Danish hands or join other important Kierkegaard works sold abroad in recent years remains to be seen. Bruun Rasmussen valued the second edition at DKK 100,000, but expected the book to fetch a much higher price.