Percy Barnevik's Hidden Millions – In the Library

Percy Barnevik was one of Sweden's largest book collectors – his library concealed treasures worth hundreds of millions of kronor. However, following the pension scandal at ABB, the business magnate had to sell large parts of the impressive collection.

– I believe he spent all his money on books, says antique dealer Torgny Schunnesson, known from the Antiques Fair.

Percy Barnevik was one of the brightest stars in the business world, but also one of Sweden's largest book collectors.

In a short time, Barnevik built an impressive collection of over 100,000 volumes – five kilometers of books – spread across places like Uddevalla, Stockholm, and Switzerland.

Antiquarian bookseller Mats Persson, who runs Centralantikvariatet in Stockholm, met Barnevik several times and is very impressed with his collection.

– In a very short time, less than ten years, he built up an enormous collection that was not only large in volume but also contained many rare, valuable books.

“Thought Big”

Barnevik had everything from modern works to real treasures. Among them were thousands of so-called incunabula – books printed during the early years of the printing press, before 1500. For example, Barnevik had the first printing of Homer's 'Iliad and Odyssey'.

– He started seriously in the mid-90s, and he often bought entire collections. Just like with everything, he thought big, recalls Mats Persson.

And he was not only big in Sweden. Internationally, Barnevik's book collection became a phenomenon.

– For a few years around the turn of the century, he dominated the international auction market, says Mats Persson.

When the collection was at its peak, it was estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of kronor.

Learned the Art of Printing

Percy Barnevik was born in 1941 in Simrishamn but grew up in Uddevalla, where his father took over a printing house. The son also learned a lot.

– He learned to print books the old-fashioned way, using lead pieces that functioned as a stamp for each letter, says book expert Harald Hultqvist.

Harald Hultqvist believes that this was crucial for Barnevik's development as a book collector.

– He would never have become the book collector he was if he hadn't started his career by understanding the book as a physical object. He learned that from his father.

A Fragment

In the early 2000s, Percy Barnevik had to repay 548 million kronor to ABB after receiving a controversial pension of 900 million kronor. In connection with the scandal, he sold off large parts of the book collection.

– I think he had bought books for all the money, so he started selling off. It's a bit sad, says Torgny Schunnesson, known from 'Antiques Roadshow'.

Torgny Schunnesson sold many books to Percy Barnevik over the years. He describes the business profile as a sympathetic person and pleasant customer.

– I published many book catalogs 25 years ago, and he could call and buy half the catalog, so it was a pure joy in that way. He bought everything.

– But when he died, the collection was just a fragment of its former self.