Beschreibung:

Title: Fruits of Mormonism, or a fair and candid Statement of Facts illustrative of Mormon Principles, Mormon Policy, and Mormon Character, by more than Forty Eye-Witnesses Author: Slater, N[elson], compiler Place: Coloma, California Publisher: Harmon & Springer Date: 1851 Description: 93, [1] pp. 17.5x12.5 cm (7x5"), blue cloth. First Edition. Rare first edition of this anti-Mormon diatribe, and the first book entered for copyright in California. As Wagner-Camp notes, "Nelson Slater was one of a number of immigrants who were forced to spend the winter of 1850 in Salt Lake City. When his party reached Carson Valley in the spring, a meeting was held and 200 immigrants signed a set of resolutions. Later, a number of them drew up a memorial to Congress. Both are included in the above work that sets forth bitter complaints against the Mormons and charges them with treason, murder, larceny, and other crimes. The angry immigrants urged the Congress to abolish the territorial government in Utah and to establish a military rule" Kurutz adds that "In addition to its anti-Mormon character, it does include extensive information on the overland emigration to California. Fruits of Mormonism ranks as the first book printed at the site of the gold discovery. It is the first book entered for copyright in California, according to Edith Coulter's 'California Copyrights, 1851-1856...'" This copy was formerly in the library of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, with bookplate noting its donation to the Society by Slater in 1870, and with an inscription on the front pastedown "Presented to the Library of the New England Historic Genealogical Society by the Author," and below that, in another hand, "Sacramento City, Cal. Nov. 2, 1870." The title-page bears the blindstamp of the Society. Only two copies of this book have sold at auction since 1975, according to American Book Prices Current, the most recent in 2002. Cowan p.591; Graff 3814; Greenwood 301; Howes S542; Kurutz 585; Streeter 2686; Wagner-Camp 205. Lot Amendments Condition: Spine a bit darkened, slight rubbing alond front joint with the start of a split; tear along gutter of title-page caused by the stitching when bound, in very good or better condition, well preserved. Item number: 266842