W. W. Phelps' first edition Book of Mormon

Here's a great story about a first edition Book of Mormon that I just acquired.  http://www.ldsliving.com/W-W-Phelps-1830-Book-of-Mormon-And-Family-Bible-Acquired-By-Rare-Book-Collector/s/89131

Free Lecture on RARE MORMON BOOKS, Monday, October 3rd, 2016 in Provo, Utah

You're invited to my lecture this Monday, October 3, 2016 at the Shops at the Riverwoods in Provo, Utah at 7:00 pm.  This month's lecture is "BOOKS FROM THE PROPHETS' LIBRARIES".  I will show books and tell the stories behind books belonging to Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith, Heber J. Grant, David O. McKay, Spencer W. Kimball, Ezra Taft Benson, Gordon B. Hinckley and Thomas S. Monson.  FREE EVENT.  Sponsored by Moon's Rare Books (Zion's Mercantile), 4801 N. University Ave. Provo, Utah 84604.  Please RSVP, seats are limited.  801-802-6064

One of the "25 finest surviving copies" of the  First Edition BOOK OF MORMON [1830] 

In 1829, Joseph Smith made plans to print the Book of Mormon.  He contacted a local newspaper publisher and bookstore owner in Palmyra, New York named E. B. Grandin.  Mr. Grandin agreed to print 5,000 copies for $3,000.  Martin Harris, a friend of Joseph Smith,  mortgaged his farm to acquire the funds for the printing of the Book of Mormon.

The 1830 first edition Book of Mormon was originally bound in brown calf, plain except for the seven double bands in gilt on the spine with a black leather label stamped in gilt with "BOOK OF MORMON". The end sheets are of the same paper as the text.  The copyright notice appears on the verso of the title page.  A preface (pp. [iii]-iv) explains the loss of the initial 116 pages of manuscript and the revelation of Joseph Smith not to retranslate that part but to begin with the plates of Nephi.  Only the 1830 edition has this preface.  Pages 5-588 contain the main text, and the testimonies of the three and of the eight witnesses occur on both sides of the leaf following page 588.  (Crawley, A Descriptive Bibliography of the Mormon Church, Vol. 1 pg. 31)

This is one of the finest first edition copies of the Book of Mormon to come on the market in many years.  Of the original 5,000 copies, as few as 500 have survived.  I have seen over 150 of these surviving copies.  Based on the vast number of copies that I have seen and handled,  I would say that this copy, which rates a solid "9" on a "1-10" scale, is easily one of the 25 finest surviving copies in the world.  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Exceptional-FIRST-EDITION-Book-of-Mormon-Palmyra-1830-Joseph-Smith-/291085982546?pt=Antiquarian_Collectible&hash=item43c6139b52

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67S0Kl60-xU
I've just posted a new video on YouTube that gives tips on buying, selling or having a first edition BOOK OF MORMON [1830] appraised.  If you would like to have your 1st edition Book of Mormon appraised, or almost any book for that matter, all you need to do is send me a few digital images of the binding, title page and text.  I will then send you a free estimate.  If a more formal written appraisal is needed, details can be worked out.   I'm an allied professional with the Appraisers Association of America.  Please send inquiries to: reidnmoon@gmail.com or threenephites@gmail.com

Did you know that there was no 3rd or 4th Nephi in the first edition Book of Mormon?

There were, however, the following books:

First Book of Nephi
Second Book of Nephi 
The Book of Nephi: The Son of Nephi, Which was the Son of Helaman
The Book of Nephi: Which is the Son of Nephi, One of the Disciples of Jesus Christ.

In 1879, at the recommendation of Orson Pratt, 3rd and 4th Nephi were added to the chapter titles for clarification.  If you look at a modern printing you will see that the the complete titles are now as follows:

THIRD NEPHI
THE BOOK OF NEPHI
The Son of Nephi, Who Was the Son of Helaman

and

FOURTH NEPHI
THE BOOK OF NEPHI
Who is the Son of Nephi--One of the Disciples of Jesus Christ

The 1879 edition is also the first time that the chapters are divided into verses.

Joseph Smith, Jr., the translator of the Book of Mormon, was born 208 years ago today on December 23, 1805 in Sharon, Vermont.  I've attached a link that shows his tiny pocket Bible: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/164662930098320787/