Description:

Mormonism
Palmyra, NY, ca. 1830
The Book of Mormon, 1st Ed., Palmyra, 1830
First Edition book

First edition, "The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon, Upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi…" by Joseph Smith (1805-1844). Palmyra: Printed by E. B. Gradin, for the Author, 1830. 588pp [1, "Testimony of Three Witnesses], [1, "And Also the Testimony of Eight Witnesses"]. 8vo, 4.75" x 7.5". While no ownership signature is present, passages underlined in period ink can be found intermittently throughout, with evidence of some notations having been erased or brightened. This could provide interesting usage information with additional research. Usual diamond impression from binding through a number of pages. Expert restoration to calf boards and spine, showing heavy to moderate rubbing and corner wear. Internal pages show areas of scattered creasing, dampstaining and foxing, with additional gutter repair near front pages. Archivally restored at the lower right corner of title and testimony pages from prior paper loss, not affecting printed text. Good overall condition. Certainly the restoration is an antiquated attempt and we feel a full restoration employing the tools and methods available today could make this much more attractive and at a relatively nominal cost.

Most recently a comparable, library-owned printing sold at our February 2026 auction for a record-breaking $250,000 including buyer's premium.

The Book of Mormon is Joseph Smith's translation of the golden tablets revealed to him by the angel Moroni on the hill of Cumorah near Manchester, New York. Printed only two weeks prior to the formal establishment of the Mormon Church, this is the only edition where Joseph Smith is identified as the "author" rather than as the "translator," as it appears in subsequent editions. This copy is complete with the "Testimony of the Three Witnesses" signed in type by Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, Martin Harris on who attest that they had "seen the plates that which contain this record. On the verso of the same leaf appears "And Also The Testimony of the Eight Witnesses" bearing the names of Christian Whitmer, Jacob Whitmer, Peter Whitmer, Jr., John Whitmer, Hiram Page, Joseph Smith, Sen., Hyrum Smith, and Samuel H. Smith, all of whom attest that Joseph Smith had "shewn unto us the plates…." Smith dictated the text to Oliver Cowdery, who also served as scribe.

Egbert B. Grandin, a local printer and proprietor of the 'Wayne Sentinel', undertook to print the sizeable edition (5,000 copies) for the 25-year old Smith. Of these original 5,000 copies printed, it is estimated that as little as 500 have survived in the market. The manuscript "was delivered a few pages at a time to the typesetter, who supplied all the punctuation and paragraphing" (Crawley and Flake). The Church catalog notes that this first printing of the Mormon Bible forbade freemasonry and polygamy, but the latter doctrine was altered in subsequent editions.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 4.75" x 7.5"
  • Medium: First Edition book

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May 6, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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