Rare find on the block: 1st edition Book of Mormon lay in box of books for years
Swann Auction Galleries in New York City will auction a rare first edition copy of the Book of Mormon, along with a first edition LDS hymnal, on March 22, among other items focusing on "Printed and Manuscript Americana." The Book of Mormon is expected to sell for $70,000 to $90,000, and the hymnal from $30,000 to $40,000, according to Sarah Drabick, a publicist for the auction house.
The 1830 Book of Mormon, in its original binding, was apparently signed by early LDS apostle Orson Pratt, and an inscription by its owner, Denison Root, indicates "the book was a gift from Hyrum Smith," brother of LDS Church founder Joseph Smith, Drabick said.
Latter-day Saints consider the book to be scripture on par with the Bible, and recent auctions of first edition copies have fetched tens of thousands of dollars. Smith said he translated the book from gold plates delivered to him by an angel.
The hymnal, titled "A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," was compiled by Smith's wife, Emma, and was published in Nauvoo, Ill., in 1841. A press release announcing the sale said the rare first edition "has not appeared at auction in the last 100 years."
Drabick told the Deseret Morning News the Book of Mormon copy was consigned by an antique dealer from New York, who several years ago had "purchased a lot of books from an auction, the lot being significant for the leather bindings of the books."
After the purchase, the owner "let the box sit in their barn for a number of years," she said. "Finally, when they decided to go through it, they saw the Book of Mormon and thought it was quite interesting. That's when they inquired what it might be, and learned its significance," Drabick said.
The hymnal was consigned by an individual from Illinois, she said, noting further details were not available about the owner or the book's history.
Drabick said she doesn't know if the specialist who examined the items "had examples of Orson Pratt's or Hyrum Smith's signatures to compare, but we do know all items were thoroughly examined." Specialists look for "familiarity with period papers, bindings and typical condition issues, and comparison with bibliographic descriptions" to determine authenticity, comparing period inks and handwriting to the inscriptions, she said.
A description of the book in the gallery's online catalogue says it was signed 4 December 1830 by Pratt, who "entered the church in September 1830 and was ordained an elder just a few days before signing this copy. ... The inscription presumably written in Root's hand reads: This Book is the Property of Denison Root Presented to him By Hyrum Smith."
Comments
- 'Mates: Millsap deserves big payday 5:22 p.m.
- Millsap offer: $10.3M up front 4:59 p.m.
- Questions about osteoarthritis 4:43 p.m.
- Logan canal breaks; people missing 3:58 p.m.
- Man's body found 3:47 p.m.
- 'Love advocates' plan 'kiss-in' 3:46 p.m.
- Many-splendored container garden 3:29 p.m.
- California's $26B deficit 3:25 p.m.
- Eat your squash and blossoms 3:21 p.m.
- Searchers shovel seeking giant worm 3:18 p.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Logan canal breaks; people missing
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Jazz rookies quiet Thunder youngsters
- LDS seminary principal arrested
323 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
191 - 2 men cited on LDS plaza
161 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
140 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
124 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
99 - Fairness of BCS debated
83 - Letters: Single-payer system best
76 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
To the 3:41 commentator, So are you suggesting that any person over the...
I hope these kids can use the good they have gotten from this man and the...
Question: Would the church arrest a father and son showing affection in the...
Hey Ms. Seed, show your "love" for others by calling it off and respecting...
Actually, my car's on its last legs, and I was about to trash it and buy a...
Are you trying to tell me the Jazz don"t have it??? That is just crazy!!!...
just friggin match it!
I hope people only to talk with the family about his WHEN AND IF the family...
This is so dumb!
To the visitors to Utah who have said that they had tickets and now have...



You can be the first to comment on this story.