1835 “SACRED HYMNS” - FIRST HYMN BOOK of the Restoration. Compiled by EMMA SMITH, this is a STEVE BLAKE replica with Emma's photo and signature accurately recreated inside. (An original 1835 edition even without her signature sells for over $500,000 today.)

          This antiqued book is bound in pigskin – the most beautiful leather of all, and the toughest of the four types used in book-binding by early Latter-day Saints. Pigskin requires a more difficult process to age and bind,

          In July 1830 Joseph received a revelation for his wife Emma to make a collection of hymns for the Church. Due to persecutions she was not able to fulfill this assignment for several years. In the meantime, several Saints continued to write, arrange, and collect hymns – Pratt, Phelps, Clayton – a veritable “who's who” of early church music writers. Finally in 1835 the book was published by W. W. Phelps in Kirtland, Ohio. 

          Note that music was not published in this earliest edition of Church hymns – only lyrics were published, and this book is exact to the original!

          For the text inside the book, it has EVERY detail that the original 1835 had: Pages of an original were accurately scanned, creating the same size and original type. Its small size is accurate to the original: 4½ x 3”, and is a masterful reproduction.

ABOUT THE BOOK

          This replica has been painstakingly antiqued by master book craftsman Steve Blake to appear like the original would today.

          Photos here are representative of one copy only, different than what you will receive, because each has a unique pattern of color and texture – all looking different from each other because of the way they've aged.

          No two books are alike, yet all have the appearance of age and wear. Some pages may have bends or crinkles as part of the aging process, but this does not affect the value or integrity of the book, and actually enhances it.

          This book is signed by artist Steve Blake in real gold ink on a back page, with a small embossed circle as well to differentiate it from the original 1835 book.

          Because of the handcrafted nature, each is a unique work of art – like an original painting.

          “Working on each book is very personal to me. Every book seems to have its own 'personality,' says Blake. Each is beautiful and unusual.

          It serves as a conversation-starter – people often display it for family and friends.

WHO IS STEVE BLAKE?

          A specialist in Art Restoration, Steve restores antiques of all kinds, particularly Fine Art pieces. He also specializes in leather. As a volunteer for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in restoring old documents, his replicas are displayed in the Museum of Church History and Art in Salt Lake City.

          “The replica enables people to see and touch the book – they can turn the pages and smell the leather,” he says, “not possible with the originals, because many are so fragile. But now they can know what it is like to experience those original first editions read and loved by the pioneers.”

FINAL POINT

          Experience what early Latter-day Saints sacrificed for ON A WHOLE NEW LEVEL. The original editions and even these hand-crafted replicas are becoming rare treasures in old-style craftsmanship!      

c.            2021 Airworthy