Odfjell Collection Goes to Auction
Books on polar exploration, colour plate books, natural history, and nordic history go to auction from Norwegian business leader Johan Fredrik Odfjell
Norwegian business leader Johan Fredrik Odfjell is now selling his book collection through SD | Auctions in collaboration with rare book dealer Fredrik Delås of Antikvariat Bryggen in Norway. A fine selection of books on Polar Exploration, Colour Plate Books, Natural History and Nordic History.
Odfjell had an early taste for books and collecting. In the 1980s, as an established business leader, he further developed his passion by establishing contacts in the trade and started to buy fine books both in Norway and at auctions in London.
The collection is sold through 4 auctions October 2025 – February 2026, three online auctions and one in-room & live auction, the latter on December 4 presenting the international part.
Polar Exploration makes out a central part in the international section of Odfjell’s collection. As a leader himself, he has always been fascinated by the leader skills of Polar explorers; the ability to lead under extreme conditions. The Polar section is not voluminous, rather selected and curated. The Norwegian expedition history, with a focus on Amundsen and Nansen, is well represented, but Odfjell has also been chasing unique copies of key international works related to Antarctica. This has resulted in a fine section of books related to Sir Ernest Shackleton, such as first editions of Aurora Australis (inscribed by one of the to printers; Ernest Edward Mills Joyce), The Heart of the Antarctic including The Antarctic Book (signed by all 16 members of the shore party of Shackleton’s Nimrod Expedition, Antarctic Days (signed by Shackleton, Murray and Marston) and The South Polar Times.
The early Nordic History section includes the first printed Snorre Norske Kongers Krønicke, 1594, believed to be the only complete copy in private ownership. This is presented together with early printed 17th century titles from Skallholt, Iceland. Presented is also early hand coloured books on ornithology and a unique set of Paul Gaimard’s Voyage de la Commision scientific du Nord [...], 1842-1856, supposedly the only known copy with contemporary hand coloured plates.
On a few occasions Odfjell has made significant donations to the National Library. In 2006, at Christie's "Polar Exploration & Travel Sale", Odfjell bought and donated Amundsen's photographs/slides [glass plates] from his expeditions to the Northwest Passage, the South Pole and with Gjøa. The photographs, which Amundsen used in his lectures, were submitted to the auction by his heirs. In 2022, Nansen's diary from the Greenland expedition, 1888, was presented at SD | Auctions' sale of Otto Norland's Polar Library. The diary was also bought and donated to the National Library by Odfjell.
View Featured Items from this Collection
Now is the time to sell the collection, providing an opportunity for new collectors to acquire and enjoy these fine items. The collection is sold by Vibeke Aase og Johan F. Odfjells Almennyttige Stiftelse (Vibeke Aase and Johan F. Odfjell’s non-profit foundation), whose purpose is to contribute to humanitarian, social and cultural initiatives, with particular emphasis on supporting research and practical work that can increase possibilities for disadvantaged children and youth to have meaningful life.
View the Catalogue
See the Online Auction
