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Printing Plate for Facsimile 1, circa 23 February–circa 2 March 1842

Source Note

Reuben Hedlock

1809–5 July 1869. Printer, carpenter, journeyman. Born in U.S. Married first Susan Wheeler, 1827. Married second Lydia Fox. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by 1836. Moved to Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio, and ordained an elder, by ...

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, Printing plate for “A Fac-simile from the Book of Abraham. No. 1,” [
Nauvoo

Principal gathering place for Saints following expulsion from Missouri. Beginning in 1839, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased lands in earlier settlement of Commerce and planned settlement of Commerce City, as well as surrounding areas....

More Info
, Hancock Co., IL, ca. 23 Feb.–ca. 2 Mar. 1842]; Church History Museum, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City. Includes archival markings.
One stereotype plate representing a vignette, or illustration, from an Egyptian papyrus, measuring 4⅜ × 4½ × ⅞ inches (11 × 11 × 2 cm). The metal plate is 1/16 inch (0.3 cm) thick and is attached to a wooden block that is ¾ inch (2 cm) thick with six nails that are now oxidized. The metal plate was evidently attached to the wooden block to make the entire plate the same height as the regular metal type. In eleven instances, pieces of type bearing numerals were attached to this plate by drilling holes through both the plate and wood after they were fastened together and securing the type with a soft, putty-like substance. For a twelfth number (numeral 9), the creator did not drill entirely through the wood as was done with the other numerals. A few holes in the plate are not filled with type or nails—perhaps indicating the holes were part of the original wood carving and therefore transferred to the mold.
1

See, for instance, the empty holes between the legs of the standing figure (figure 3) and below the bird (figure 1).


It is possible that the creator of the plate intended to affix additional pieces of type to the plate or fasten the plate to the wood block at additional points. The numerals on the plate identified elements of the image that were keyed to explanations printed beneath the facsimile.
2

See Book of Abraham and Facsimiles, 1 Mar.–16 May 1842.


Work on the plate began around 23 February 1842 and was completed by the time the 1 March issue of the Times and Seasons was printed, around 2 March 1842.
3

JS, Journal, 23 Feb. and 2 Mar. 1842.


In or shortly after 1992, a museum call number (“LDS 92-326-295”) was recorded on the back of the plate.
The plate was cataloged by the Historian’s Office in 1858.
4

“Historian’s Office Catalogue Book March 1858,” [38]; “Contents of the Historian & Recorder’s Office. G. S. L. City July 1858,” 13, Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

At an unknown time, it was moved to the Bureau of Information at Temple Square, which was established in 1902.
5

Alexander, Mormonism in Transition, 240–241.


Comprehensive Works Cited

Alexander, Thomas G. Mormonism in Transition: A History of the Latter-day Saints, 1890–1930. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1986.

Later, it was transferred to the Museum of Church History and Art (now Church History Museum). By 1992, this plate had been processed and cataloged at that museum.
6

See the full bibliographic entries for the printing plates (LDS 92-326-337, LDS 92-326-295, and LDS 92-326-296) in the catalog of the Church History Museum, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City.


Footnotes

  1. [1]

    See, for instance, the empty holes between the legs of the standing figure (figure 3) and below the bird (figure 1).

  2. [2]

    See Book of Abraham and Facsimiles, 1 Mar.–16 May 1842.

  3. [3]

    JS, Journal, 23 Feb. and 2 Mar. 1842.

  4. [4]

    “Historian’s Office Catalogue Book March 1858,” [38]; “Contents of the Historian & Recorder’s Office. G. S. L. City July 1858,” 13, Historian’s Office, Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904, CHL.

    Historian’s Office. Catalogs and Inventories, 1846–1904. CHL. CR 100 130.

  5. [5]

    Alexander, Mormonism in Transition, 240–241.

    Alexander, Thomas G. Mormonism in Transition: A History of the Latter-day Saints, 1890–1930. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1986.

  6. [6]

    See the full bibliographic entries for the printing plates (LDS 92-326-337, LDS 92-326-295, and LDS 92-326-296) in the catalog of the Church History Museum, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City.

Historical Introduction

See Introduction to Facsimile Printing Plates and Published Book of Abraham, circa 23 February–circa 16 May 1842.

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Related Case Documents
Editorial Title
Printing Plate for Facsimile 1, circa 23 February–circa 2 March 1842
ID #
18239
Total Pages
2
Print Volume Location
JSP, R4:296–297
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