"The ONLY 1830 replica bound in leather.”—Steve Rasmussen, Book Conservator

“The most ACCURATE one in modern times.” —Steve Blake, Leather Book Artisan

“The only replica with 50 authentic, accurate features.”—Richard Lloyd Dewey, Historian

The result: Master book-binder Ethan Ensign of Scrub Oak Bindery endorses this as the best-made, mass-produced 1830 replica. He has restored over 50 copies of the original 1830 edition.

The publisher is the highest quality book replica company, Grandin Artisans / Stratford Books

The research team “dissected” five 1830 originals to analyze every aspect of the books' construction. None were employed by Grandin Artisans/Stratford Books.

LEATHER COVER – “No other mass-produced replica uses leather,” states Leather Book Artisan, Steve Blake. “Other replicas claim to, but in testing, their covers proved to be 100% paper-based or plastic – bubbling under high pressure – typical of Leatherette (fake leather).”

COVER WITH MOST AUTHENTIC COLOR – “This is the color of leather when it was published. Light beige is the natural color of calfskin. (After the 1830 edition came out, UV light and oxygen slowly oxidized the proteins in leather, turning it dark brown over the decades. Skin oils from people also turned it darker and smoothed it out),” according to Dewey. “But this replica's leather color is like the original in 1830.”

AUTHENTIC SHADE OF 22k GOLD ON COVER – “Only this replica has the right gold shade – 22k,” reports Vance Hawkins, who measured every aspect of the First Edition copies and compared side-by-side the replica's gold shade to actual 22k he owns.

DIGITIZED TEXT from the First Edition – Typography and layout are exact via high-definition scanning of the First Edition, reports Blake.

STITCHED BINDING – “Pages are sewn – not just glued like some replicas,” he adds. “The 1830 version was only sewn, which necessitated rebinding for many copies. This replica, while sewn, also has some glue added for extra strength, so it will not need rebinding in a few years. It could theoretically wear for centuries.”

MOST ACCURATE PAPER - “Some replicas use cheap paper called 'groundwood,' states Dewey, who is independent of the team. “But it turns gray and brittle in a few years. That's the same low-quality paper used in most modern novels. Other replicas use smooth paper labeled by some as 'luxurious,' but is not at all accurate to the original fibrous texture. According to B&B press of South Yorkshire, England, who specializes in silk paper mainly for advertising printing. “This finish [on standard book paper] results in a more natural look and feel. Uncoated matte stock [standard book paper] provides a much more luxurious feel to whatever you're creating compared to silk. It's proven to be the best paper type for the best printing technique available today. Uncoated [standard book] paper boasts a softer finish compared to silk, and features tactile quality which feels a lot better in the reader's hands compared to a silk finish.” Rasmussen summarizes, “The Grandin Artisans/Stratford Books edition comes closest to the original's cotton-based paper in texture, pH, and opacity.”

ACCURATE SPECKLE-FREE PAGES – “1830 originals included NO SPECKLES, while others had RED speckles and still others had BLUE,” reports Blake.“This is easily the most attractive version, free from the distracting glitter-effect of speckles.”

ACCURATE PAPER COLOR. “It's also the most correct paper color I've seen – a natural cream,” states Dewey.

AUTHENTIC ARTWORK ON SPINE - “Some replicas have the book's title in the wrong size or font,” says Rasmussen, who also has restored numerous 1830 originals. “But this one hits all the bases.”

MOST ACCURATE WEIGHT – “Some replicas are too heavy. Most are too light. Only this one is precise almost to the exact gram,” states book analyst Larry Brukiewa, “and it packs a real heft.” He precisely measured 5 First Edition copies as part of the research project.

ALL TEXT PROPERLY POSITIONED on every page – “Not all replicas do,” adds Blake. “But this one is accurate.”

CORRECT NUMBER of “end sheets” (blank pages in front and back) – “Only this replica has the right number,” states Blake. “Over the two centuries, most end sheets were torn out and used for notes and letter-writing, leaving few copies with all the original end sheets. This replica includes them all. It's the only one that does.”

The cost to produce a replica this accurate – with PAINSTAKING DETAILS for paper, stitching, and leather – far exceeds that of nearly all other historical replicas of any kind.

Grandin Artisans/Stratford Books has been making 1830 replicas longer than anyone – selling through eight editions since 2005 – with each one an improvement, resulting in the best replica yet.

The retail price could be far higher, but the publisher wishes to make it affordable for everyone. Share this conversation-starter with friends and family.

Treasure the beauty of this leather bound replica with all 50 accurate features. Let them feel, hold, and even smell the leather and freshly milled paper as the first generation converts did in their day. Also read it just as Joseph and Emma Smith, Brigham Young, and others did 200 years ago!