Scandinavian Mythology
H. R. Ellis Davidson
📚 Genre
Non-Fiction - Mythology and Folklore
🏢 Publisher
Paul Hamlyn / Bounty Books
📅 Publication Year
1969
🔢 ISBN
0385147353
About This Book
An accessible and richly illustrated overview of Scandinavian and Norse mythology, exploring the gods, heroes, rituals, and worldview of the pre-Christian Nordic peoples. The cover features a bright yellow background with prominent red typography and an image of an ornate archaeological artifact, likely a piece of Viking Age metalwork or horse harness fitting.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
144
Edition
Hardcover
Series
Part of Paul Hamlyn's popular mythology series published during the late 1960s and 1970s
Target Audience
General Audience and Academic Beginners
Collector Information
Condition
Good. The dust jacket shows minor edge wear and light yellowing consistent with age, along with a small circular price sticker on the front cover. The structure appears sound.
Estimated Value
$15-$30
Rarity
Common
Historical Significance
H.R. Ellis Davidson was one of the leading twentieth-century scholars on Germanic and Norse paganism. Books like this played a significant role in bringing serious academic scholarship on Scandinavian mythology to a broader general readership in the mid-to-late 20th century.
Collector Notes
Maintains moderate demand among mythology enthusiasts and collectors of vintage illustrated reference books. To preserve the book, keep it away from direct sunlight to prevent the bright yellow dust jacket from fading, and consider a clear archival Mylar cover protector. Check for any internal foxing or ownership marks, which are common in copies of this vintage.
Similar Books
Gods and Myths of Northern Europe by H.R. Ellis Davidson, Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley-Holland, The Norse Myths by Carolyne Larrington, D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths by Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
Notable Features
Features numerous historical illustrations, photographs of archaeological finds, and clear introductory essays by a prominent scholar in the field.