Apr 15, 2021 - Sale 2564

Sale 2564 - Lot 258

Price Realized: $ 1,125
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 800 - $ 1,200
(MORMONS.) John Cook Bennett. The History of the Saints; or, An Exposé of Joe Smith and Mormonism. 2 plates, 4 full-page illustrations including a plan of Nauvoo. ii, 344 pages. 12mo, later 1/2 morocco gilt, minor wear; moderate foxing; top edge gilt. Boston, 1842
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Additional Details

First edition. Bennett was briefly an important leader of the Latter Day Saint movement, serving as mayor of Nauvoo and general of the Nauvoo Legion until his excommunication in early 1842. By the end of that year, this bitter exposé was on the market. After the 1844 death of Joseph Smith, Bennett joined the Strangite branch of the Mormons, but was excommunicated from them in turn in 1847.

The illustrations include a portrait of Joseph Smith over his facsimile signature, done after the June 1842 portrait by Sutcliffe Maudsley. This was the first portrait of Smith to appear in print. Flake 403; Howes B358 ("aa"); Sabin 4733.