Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Engaging Trivia Concerning The First Edition Book Of Mormon

By Lela Perkins


While a few collectors may be able to afford a pricey First Edition Book of Mormon as an antique collectible, it is also possible to own a very nice new replica of the famous 1830 edition. Of course, purists may enjoy being able to page through the delicate leaves of this particular publication in authentic historical condition. Serious students may also appreciate the chance to use a completely new one for studying without worry about possibly damaging a collector's item.

There are a few authentic antique books available for sale on the Internet. These range in price from 69,000 to 98,000 in US currency. There are several very focused collectors who own the volumes and their importance to the Mormon faith is undeniable. Lesser valued ones are also offered for around 500 dollars.

The 1830 Heritage Book of Mormon is the title for the latest replica. With a focus on family and genealogy, the name pays homage to basic elements of this faith. For just about thirty dollars, anyone may purchase one. The cover is in leatherette, in a rich warm brown color. The words are stamped in gold, making it very attractive.

For history buffs, some interesting questions have cropped up concerning the typeface and printing methods used in the actual original volume. The manuscript was first taken by its scribes to E. B. Grandin in Palmyra, New York for printing. But, there are two typefaces present in this volume, leaving historians, such as Royal Skousen, asking why this was so. The abstract written concerning this peculiarity states that one sixth of the book was set using the scribed manuscript.

The Latter Day Saints religion is a relatively modern one, with a very short history. Those practicing the faith can be very focused on the authenticity of church papers and books. John Hajicek, a respected collector, has acquired over 50,000 of these. His personal website describes his passion for this process, and his views that what he does is fiscally and socially responsible. He has developed a fascinating Internet site for people to view his first edition, making it accessible for anyone interested.

There is a website that displays historical volumes with more recent ones. The premise is that though the official Latter Day Saint Church states that nothing changes from first edition to newest ones, that in fact, probably 4,000 exist. In order to compare what has happened, the promoters of this site have created what is termed the comparison machine. Internet surfers can see side by side pages with the discrepancies clearly shown. Because the variations are ranging all the way from doctrine to spelling and editing, it is fascinating to view.

Speculation prompts wondering over why this newest edition has been published. Perhaps it is an attempt to return to faithful origins. Certainly, making the book widely available is easier now than it once was.

It could be that the replica First Edition Book of Mormon is destined to be collected by many new readers. The church has enjoyed a reputation for encouraging historical study and family genealogy. History teachers often include its westward movement as integral to settling portions of the American West. Controversy and curiosity are certain to continue when it concerns this fascinating religion.




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