Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - December - 2005 Issue
William Reese Gives Us That Old Tyme Religion
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Are you looking for a genuine John Hancock autograph? Well, there are a couple of them on this copy of Increase Mather's The Order of the Gospel, Professed and Practiced by the Churches of Christ in New England... published in 1700. This is Mather's protest of the liberal ways of the younger generation, particularly some of the new ministers. But wait a minute; that sure doesn't look like John Hancock's signature. It doesn't even look like a bad forgery. But, it is genuine. In fact both of them are. These are the signatures of the father and grandfather of the John Hancock you know, both also named John Hancock. There is also a signature from his uncle, Ebenezer Hancock. The signatures are certainly very nice and highly collectible, but none could sign his name the way John Hancock of Declaration of Independence fame could. Item 107. $15,000.
Here is a notable title for those who collect Mormon books. It is the first mention of the Book of Mormon in a non-Mormon text. It is The Life of David Marks, to the 26th Year of His Age, Including the Particulars of His Conversion, Call to the Ministry... Marks is not remembered for his own preaching, but achieves some recognition for his early (1831) mention of the Book of Mormon, just a year after its publication. Marks is highly skeptical and less than complimentary about this new revelation. He points out that, "a copy right was secured by Smith in his own name," implying that Joseph Smith wrote the text, rather than receiving it. Marks comments skeptically that the Angel told Smith to sell the book for $1.08 more than it cost to produce. Finally, he dismisses the book with "the style is so insipid, and the work so filled with manifest imposture, that I feel no interest in a further perusal." I think it's safe to say Marks did not accompany Smith and his followers on their journeys west. Item 103. $1,750.
The William Reese Company may be found online at www.reeseco.com or reached by phone at 203-789-8081.
