It's been a busy week already.  I've traveled 1,800 miles and tracked down two copies of the first edition Book of Mormon [1830].  You never know what type of condition these books will be in.  I've attached a photo to compare the two copies.  On a "1-10" scale, the copy on the left would rate a "3" and the copy on the right a "7".  I've just added several new photos to my Pinterest page that highlights the first edition Book of Mormon. http://www.pinterest.com/moonsrarebooks/first-edition-book-of-mormon-1830-pinterest/

Did you know that there were five editions of the BOOK OF MORMON printed during the life of Joseph Smith?  I've just recorded a video that shows all five editions and their title pages.  Take a look...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZnnOwQkRVc

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

New video on collecting rare Mormon books posted to YouTube.

I just posted a new video to my YouTube Channel.  This video talks about the first edition Doctrine and Covenants which was printed in 1835--five years after the first edition Book of Mormon.  For every ten surviving copies of the first edition Book of Mormon, there is only one surviving copy of the original Doctrine and Covenants. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nYHcOH5hok

Besides the first edition Book of Mormon, there were four other editions printed during the life of Joseph Smith: the second edition in Kirtland [1837], the third edition in Nauvoo [1840], the first European in Liverpool [1841l] and the fifth edition in Nauvoo [1842]. The copies shown (1837, 40, 41, 42) are some of the finest surviving copies in the world. 
www.moonsrarebooks.com    http://www.pinterest.com/pin/164662930099971652/

I've started a new blog: http://reidmoon.blogspot.com  This new blog will chronicle my search for RARE BOOKS, great FOOD and TRAVEL to interesting places around the world.  

I would like this First Edition Book of Mormon blog to stay focused on the Book of Mormon and related topics.  

Thanks for reading.  Best, Reid

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.