The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel

Orvilla S. Belisle

The prophets, or, mormonism unveiled – orvilla s. Belisle – 1855 | first edition, anti-polygamy novel | first edition of orvilla s. Belisle’s 1855 novel critiquing mormonism and polygamy, combining social commentary and early feminist themes within a historical-fiction format.

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First edition of Orvilla S. Belisle’s 1855 novel critiquing Mormonism and polygamy, combining social commentary and early feminist themes within a historical-fiction format.

$499.00

In stock

Free shipping wordwide!

Satisfaction Guaranteed

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The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled – Orvilla S. Belisle – 1855 | First Edition, Anti-Polygamy Novel

The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled by Orvilla S. Belisle (First edition, 1855) combines historical overview and anti-polygamy fiction. This volume critiques Mormon society and its leadership, depicting figures such as Joseph Smith as disruptive to class structure. The author presents Mormon issues of gender oppression and patriarchal control. Printed in Philadelphia and London, this title reflects the Protestant critique of emergent American sects and shifting domestic ideals. It is often considered the first anti-polygamy novel.

 

Bibliographic Details

  • Title: The Prophets, or, Mormonism Unveiled: With Illustrations
  • Author(s): Orvilla S. Belisle
  • Publisher: Philadelphia, Wm. White Smith; London, Trübner & Co.
  • Edition: First edition, 1855
  • Format: (12mo), single volume
  • Binding: Black cloth, decorative gilt spine titling
  • Size:  7.5 in x 5 in (19 cm x 12.7 cm)
  • Collation: xvi, 17-412pp, [9]
  • Illustrations: 9 plates
  • Contents Include:
    • Introductory Mormon history
    • Anti-polygamy fiction narrative
    • Social critique of Mormon authority
  • Reference(s): Leonard J Arrington and Jon Haupt, “The Missouri & Illinois Mormons in Ante Bellum Fiction”.

 

Condition:

Good. Cloth shows rubbing and fraying, spine secure with gilt titling mostly intact. Interior complete, though pages show age-typical toning and wear, primarily to the margins.

 

Why Collect This?

  • Early fictional work targeting Mormon polygamy
  • Strong advocacy of 19th-century feminism
  • Rare first edition
  • Appeals to collectors of early Mormonism and women’s rights literature

 

Item Number: # 28908

 

Categories

Americana, American History

Literature

Religion

Authors

Orvilla S. Belisle

Printing Date

19th Century

Language

English

Binding

Hardcover

Book Condition

Good

Collation

Complete

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