Rare Book of Mormon to be Auctioned this Week

NEW YORK, New York — Swann Galleries’ auction devoted to Printed & Manuscript Americana on March 22 offers many exceptional items pertaining to a variety of subjects including the beginnings of the Mormon religion.

A clear stand-out item is a very rare association copy of The Book of Mormon, owned by an early member of the Church. The book is a first edition, in the original binding, printed in Palmyra, New York in 1830, and signed by early church apostle Orson Pratt. An inscription by its owner, Denison Root, indicates that the book was a gift from Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith’s brother and an important early figure in the Church.

Click to Enlarge

It is uncommon to find a first edition of The Book of Mormon in its original binding, and it is exceedingly rare to find a copy signed by or associated with individuals so closely intertwined with the very inception of the religion. The presale estimate is $70,000 to $90,000.

There are other Mormon highlights in the sale, including a rare first edition of A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, compiled by Emma Smith, 351 pages, Nauvoo, Ill., 1841, which has not appeared at auction in the past 100 years ($30,000 to $40,000).

If you are interested in the auction, please contact Swan Galleries at 212/254-4710 or write to www.swanngalleries.com

Click here to sign up for Meridian's FREE email updates.