[Mormons]:

$3,000 · Offered by William Reese Company · No longer available

[TWO PARTIALLY-PRINTED SHARES OF STOCK IN THE NAUVOO HOUSE ASSOCIATION, COMPLETED IN MANUSCRIPT]. A rare example of Mormon financial ephemera, documenting the Mormons' stay in Nauvoo and the attempt to build "Nauvoo House," a splendid hotel in the Illinois town. The present example of Nauvoo House stock certificates is one of only two mentioned by Rush, the other being printed in St. Louis, but probably never officially issued. The Mormon Church was headquartered in Nauvoo from 1839 until they moved westward in 1846. In January 1841, Joseph Smith had a revelation instructing him to build a hotel that would provide accommodations for "strangers and tourists" (see the Mormon Doctrines and Covenants, 124:60). Construction began in the spring of 1841, and stock in the building was sold in order to fund the efforts. It was estimated that construction would cost $100,000, and stock was issued in shares ranging from $50 to $1500. The total stock subscription was $150,000. "All who believed in the Book of Mormon or the revelations of God were permitted to hold stock" - Jenson. The stock certificates were transferable by endorsement, so they were used as a medium of exchange as well.The present two certificates are each for one share of stock at $50, and are dated in manuscript Feb. 11, 1841. They are both signed by George Miller (who would later form a schismatic Mormon sect of his own) as president, and John Snyder as secretary. The certificate is decorated with an illustration show

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