New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-04
DANISH LITERATURE
BOOKMAKERS OF COPENHAGEN !
SKETCHES OF LEADING AUTHORS AM r
LISHERs OF THE DANES.

| European STATE. IL fOllOWs thdt DtHludih 49,
many publishers and numerous authors al 'n0
! prominent authors of Norway have their DOCKS pun
| shed in Denmark. This is probably for thu reason
that Norway belonged to Denmark till 1914, wheh IL
| united with Sweden, and has about inc Same
written language as Denmark both languages differ
| ing equally from the Swedish, While tho main diner
ence between Danish and Norwegian lies simply III inc
pronunciation and In the arrangement of the wors'
1t is pleasant to notice the good understanding that
prevails between authors and publishers in Denmark
1t IS understanding based upon experience. mutual
trust and friendship, not to be found in any Ohef
country. To this understanding. which Is not as
elsewhere Is often the case, mere business arrange
ment between the publishers and the authors, Den
mark owes to great extent her prosperous literary
life. In Germany France and England authors and
well-knOwn authors even, nowadays are not seldom
seen change publishers almost often as they
write book In Denmark and Norway this is very
seldom the case A Danish Norwegian writer who
has once connected himself with a publisher would
not think of making arrangements with another pub
Usher who might offer him larger remuneration
for his books. AS little would a publisher think Of
throwing off the author whose patronage he has once
obtained because his last book did not pay as well
as his first As rule Danish authors do not leave
the publisher chosen, unless his business should
change hands by sale by death even then changes
are TIC publisher seldom knows the contents
Of the authors books before they printed. None
Norway has his works read by the publisher in
manuscript When beginner in literature offers
book for the first time to publisher 1t will of course
be read and examined by the publisher to If it is
worth printing But books rule go to print long
before they competed by the authors for instance.
an author may send the first 200 pages of his new
book "a volume Of 400 pages, let us say
10 mint, before the other half Is
on paper. The publisher simply trusts the author:
experience has shown him that he do it without
risk. One of the why books often go to print
before they completed is simply TO time
and tho market; for instance, book will sell f"F
better II published fortnight before Christmas than
if published fortnight after Christmas. The right
moment lost the volume might have to wait half
year. Danish books being generally published either
in the spring just before Christmas and even if
the author be paid in advance. generally is the
case in Denmark, the delay would do him much
harm.
4 young and prominent Danish author wanted to
marry not long ago, but lacked the necessary cash
His father could help him, but his publisher could
and would. lie advanced at sufficient sum
to enable the young author 10 go abroad and spend
as Jolly a honeymoon his heart could wish for
and the author promised in return that he would
write a book during the honeymoon or Immediately
after He did not forget his promise. This case is
but one in a hundred If author becomes sick or
gets into trouble or another, he knows he has no
better friend than his publisher, and therefore APP
peals to him. ii reasonable in his demands, he IS
always helped. There is a Danish author who is said
at present to have obtained so much money in al
vance from his wealthy publisher that he would
have to write at least ten books to pay his debt.
OF course he is a prominent author. The Publisher
does not run great risk in acting thus. If the
author should die become disqualified from writing
more, a rev edition Of his works would repay the
loan-most likely even more than repay it, And tbJ
publisher is therefore comparatively safe.
A few years ago Danish author startled the Ger
mans by STATING these facts. It was in Berlin during
table d'hOtes that he asked by of the
literary present if he had obtained a publisher
for the book he was about TO write He answered.
and not without pride, he says: L have but
| one publisher
conc publisher who takes all you wrItel'
Yes. SIR
"Without examining it first ~
"WithOut seeing it even.'
This statement resulted in impressive silence
and the author looked upon wonderfully
clever fellow, and Denmark the lOnglost IL not
mythical literary EldOIadO. When, however, he
| further informed them that he had never had
tract in writing with his publisher and that he did
not know any other Danish author 10 have one his
hearers seemed to think that the golden age" had
returned, and they would not have been astonishel
in the least If he had told them that the Danes still
AS I'm the time of King FrOdctredegode. could leave
gold ring the highway without fear OF its being
stolen.
Danish publishers business mon. but they do
not consider themselves altogether merchants or
dealers in books. Even if they want to make money
they do not therefore forget the duties they owe to
literature. There IS not one publisher in Denmark
worth speaking OF who acting under this moral i'm
pulse has not published works when he knew that
tho income from their SALE even In tie best case
would not cover the costs i IS this view OF the
publishers relation 10 literature and 10 lis rap-
expensive work, it does, to the benefit OF the whole
people.
The BoqhanGerfor, nneen bookseller Society is a
society to which nearly all publishers and booksellers
belong. It's chief purpose is to protect publishers
and booksellers, and the society IS governed by tho
| leading publishers in Copenhagen. The Mcmbeis
entitled to certain percentage on everS book pub
llshed and almost any bookseller can become mem
bcr It IS Only when bookseller wants to open a
| store IN "A small town where there already are a,
many booksellers the town can support that he is
refused membership for fear that he will spoil
the business for the others. The Boghaniler
fornngcn IS not trust that cnrche few books Hers
but trust that protects them all
Among the most prominent publishing firms in
Denmark The following arc to bo mentioned: Tho
Gyldendalsl,c Boghandc founded in l77G by the
! owner, :. Gydcnda who at that time was ono of
Copenhagcns most esteemed ctzens. anl who left A
namo never to be forgotten in the history o. Denmark
This firm T. known all over Europe and l. Oh, wealth.
est publishing house I'm Denmark, Most of the 'FRONT.'
nent Norwegian authors have their books Issued by
If. It's present owner Is Mr. Jacob IIegel a man of
great ability and literary taste C. A. Reltzels ForIas,
handel was founded IN 1910 BY Carl Andicas
Rege who died In 1883 and It Is now owned
by his sons. I'll. and c. V. ReltzeI
both well known In tho literary world
and wealthy. And Fred Host d Sons Fonacshande
was founded In 1886 and has since done business on