Achterberg

History of the collection: The collection was acquired in 1989 as a gift of the widow of Gerrit Achterberg.
Size: The collection comprises approx. 100 pieces.
Accessibility: You can find the books via the KB online public catalogue. They are available for perusal in the Special Collections reading room but cannot be taken out on loan.
More information: Jan Bos 070-3140665.

Description of the collection

In 1989, Mrs C.J. Achterberg-van Baak, the widow of the poet Gerrit Achterberg (1905-1962) passed away. In her will she left to the Koninklijke Bibliotheek one copy of every edition of every book written by her late husband, which amounts to an almost complete collection of author's copies from one of the most important Dutch poets of the twentieth century. Besides the author's own works, the collection also contains books about Gerrit Achterberg as well as illustrated broadsheets and posters. The collection is in excellent condition. A few of the books contain inscriptions from the poet to his wife. Achterberg's debut volume, Zangen van twee twintigers, written with Arie Jac. Dekker in 1924, was not part of the Achterberg collection. However, this rare little book has since been acquired through the antiquarian book trade.

Literature

Wim Hazeu. Gerrit Achterberg: een biografie. Amsterdam : De Arbeiderspers, 1988, 717 p., [48] p. pl
Reinder Storm. 'Gerrit Achterberg in de vitrine'. In: KB Centraal 19 (1990) 7/8, p. 20-21.
'Gerrit Achterberg'. In: Honderd hoogtepunten uit de Koninklijke Bibliotheek. Zwolle: Waanders, 1994, p. 200-201. (Also available in digital form).