Title: The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon, Upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi Author: Smith, Joseph, Jr. Place: Palmyra, [NY] Publisher: Printed by E. B. Grandin, for the Author Date: 1830 Description: 588, [2] pp. 7¼x4½, original calf boards, rebacked in calf, later morocco spine label. First Edition. First edition of the cornerstone text of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, complete with the rare leaf of testimonials at the end. Whether actually written by Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or translated by him from the text engraved on the gold “Plates of Nephi” that were presented to Smith by Moroni, son of the prophet Mormon, the Book of Mormon remains the most important of the writings of one of America’s most successful theocracies and most enduring communal movements. In the first edition only was Smith named as author; in all subsequent ones he is designated as translator. The first edition was also the only one carrying his two-page preface. Pp. 240-303 (signatures 16-19) with offsetting to the text from the facing pages, caused no doubt by the sheets being folded for binding before the ink was set. This would not be an unusual occurrence in a book printed in a small printing office at the time. John Gilbert who worked in the Grandin print shop and composed 500 pages of the book, described the process in a statement in 1892, that each signature (1 large sheet which would result in 16 pages) was printed, then the type distributed to be used for composing the next signature. The printed sheets were, in the meantime, folded into signature. In the rush to get the job done, some sheets were evidently folded before the ink was totally dry. The present copy is rebacked in calf similar to the original, though the morocco label and gilt ruling differ from that of the original binding. Flake 595; Howes S623; Sabin 83038; Streeter 2262. Lot Amendments Condition: Calf well scuffed but solid, spine with some darkening, label with a few small chips, joints cracked but cords still firm; occasional fairly light foxing, erasure (or damage from removal of bookplate?) to front pastedown causing two holes, else very good. Item number: 187100
Title: The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon, Upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi Author: Smith, Joseph, Jr. Place: Palmyra, [NY] Publisher: Printed by E. B. Grandin, for the Author Date: 1830 Description: 588, [2] pp. 7¼x4½, original calf boards, rebacked in calf, later morocco spine label. First Edition. First edition of the cornerstone text of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, complete with the rare leaf of testimonials at the end. Whether actually written by Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or translated by him from the text engraved on the gold “Plates of Nephi” that were presented to Smith by Moroni, son of the prophet Mormon, the Book of Mormon remains the most important of the writings of one of America’s most successful theocracies and most enduring communal movements. In the first edition only was Smith named as author; in all subsequent ones he is designated as translator. The first edition was also the only one carrying his two-page preface. Pp. 240-303 (signatures 16-19) with offsetting to the text from the facing pages, caused no doubt by the sheets being folded for binding before the ink was set. This would not be an unusual occurrence in a book printed in a small printing office at the time. John Gilbert who worked in the Grandin print shop and composed 500 pages of the book, described the process in a statement in 1892, that each signature (1 large sheet which would result in 16 pages) was printed, then the type distributed to be used for composing the next signature. The printed sheets were, in the meantime, folded into signature. In the rush to get the job done, some sheets were evidently folded before the ink was totally dry. The present copy is rebacked in calf similar to the original, though the morocco label and gilt ruling differ from that of the original binding. Flake 595; Howes S623; Sabin 83038; Streeter 2262. Lot Amendments Condition: Calf well scuffed but solid, spine with some darkening, label with a few small chips, joints cracked but cords still firm; occasional fairly light foxing, erasure (or damage from removal of bookplate?) to front pastedown causing two holes, else very good. Item number: 187100
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
