Estimate $ 3,000-5,000

Edited by Alexander Campbell (1830-1866). Bethany, V. A.: By the Editor, 1830-1870. 21 vols. of the First, Fourth and Fifth Series. 8vo, various bindings, mostly original red cloth and quarter leather over marbled boards. First edition of Campbell's monthly Restorationist newspaper, including vol. 2 (no. 2, February 1831), an anti-Mormon tract entitled the first printed article on Mormonism in book form (reprinted in pamphlet form in 1832), where Campbell calls founder Smith an "ignorant and impudent liar," and describes the Book of Mormon as the "meanest book in the English language." [Howes C87] Alexander Campbell was a leading figure in the Second Great Awakening reform movement and, with his father, founded the Disciples of Christ, a purest religion headquartered in West Virginia. Campbell and his followers, called "Campbellites," quickly butted heads with Joseph Smith and early Mormons, who shared, or borrowed, many common restorationist beliefs. Issued in monthly parts, the present series comprises vols. 1-4 (complete), vol. 5 (lacking no. 12), vol. 7 (complete) and Millennial Harbinger Extra nos. 2-3 and 9 of the First Series; vol. 1 (lacking no. 12), 4 (nos. 2-9 only), vols. 5-6 (complete), and vol. 7 (lacking nos. 11-12) of the Fourth Series (duplicates of vol. 6, no. 6, and vol. 7, no. 6); vol. 1 (nos. 2-9 only), vol. 3 (nos. 2-6 only) of Fifth Series; and vol. 37 (complete, 1866) and vol. 40 (complete, 1869) of an unstated series. Front board detached to vol Read more…