[MORMONS] 1887 Polygamy Pamphlet

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Day 2: Early & Historic Americana

By Fleischer's Auctions

Oct 10, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-10-10 09:00:00 2025-10-10 09:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Day 2: Early & Historic Americana https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/fleischers-auctions/day-2-early-historic-americana-19250
Day one of Fleischer's 2025 Fall Premier auction includes early American artifacts, documents, signatures, ephemera, and weaponry. Rare material relating to African American history is featured, as well as fine examples of antique photography. Fleischer's Auctions info@fleischersauctions.com

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• Lot Description

  J. Randolph Tucker. Polygamy. Speech of Hon. J. Randolph Tucker, of Virginia. In the House of Representatives, Wednesday, January 12, 1887. Washington, D.C.: The Franklin Printing House, 1887.

   

  8vo, 12 pages. Original wrappers. Presumed FIRST EDITION.

   

  Ownership inscription to first page, "Rev. Frank J. Brooke." 

   

  A rare pamphlet printing the speech of J. Randolph Tucker (1823-1897) in support of the Edmunds-Tucker Act, also known as the Anti-Plural Marriage Act of 1887. A sponsor and namesake of the bill, Tucker spoke with conviction and without compromise: "I do not care what the Mormon believes...Ever since Christ uttered that language all of the Japhetic race have adopted monogamy as the only foundation of a decent civilization." 

   

  The bill aimed to restrict the polygamist practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, especially in regard to the statehood of Utah. Having passed the Senate the previous year and passing the House the same month as this speech, the act prohibited the practice of polygamy and set punishments of up to $800 and imprisonment of up to five years. Importantly, the act disincorporated both the LDS Church and the Perpetual Emigration Fund, arguing that they fostered polygamy. With far-reaching sanctions, including seizure of property, and enforcement by the U.S. Marshals, the act is credited in part with the 1890 Manifesto, issued by Church President Wilford Woodruff, officially advising against any future plural marriage. 

   

  VERY RARE: No copies have ever sold at auction. OCLC locates only 10 copies. 

   

  [Western History, Western Expansion, Mormons, Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, Mormon Church, Mormon Trail, Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, Mormon Tabernacle, Utah, Salt Lake City, Polygamy, Plural Marriage] [Pamphlets, Publications, Ephemera, Books, Rare Books, Tracts]

  Condition

  Request Condition Report

  Marginal chip to right edge. Minor soiling & toning to wrappers, with some period pencil notations. Soft horizontal folds (appears to have been at some point folded to mail or put in a jacket pocket).

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