„Hugsaðu til mín, bróðir minn, ef þú sérð merkileg handrit, eða gamlar bækur vel um gengnar“

Yfirlit yfir handritasöfnun Jóns Sigurðssonar 1840-1879

Abstract

This article examines the manuscript collecting of Jón Sigurðsson (1811–1879) who played a leading role in the extensive collecting of Icelandic manuscripts in the mid-nineteenth century, both in his personal collection and the collection of The Icelandic Literary Society. It explores the motivations behind Jón’s engagement in the collection, his collection policies and position as a collector, his methods and networks, as well as the opportunities and challenges he faced. Furthermore, the article examines the composition of the manuscript collection, the circumstances of its acquisition, and its cataloguing.