Additional Coverage:
- ‘Pawn Stars’ guest brings an incredibly rare book and Rick Harrison was ready to pay a fortune (marketrealist.com)
Rare Book, Big Bucks: Pawn Stars Scores a Piece of History
A recent episode of Pawn Stars saw Rick Harrison face an intriguing item: a rare 1842 fifth edition of the Book of Mormon. The seller, a returning customer named Adam, was hoping to walk away with $25,000.
He believed the book, a key text for the Mormon faith and a significant document in American history, held considerable value. Adam highlighted its connection to westward expansion and emphasized the rarity of this particular edition, printed during the lifetime of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism.
Harrison, ever the cautious businessman, consulted rare book expert Rebecca Romney for an appraisal. Romney was visibly impressed, calling the book the most valuable she’d encountered at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.
She noted the book’s importance not only to Mormonism, but also to the broader history of American utopian communities. Her appraisal?
A staggering $40,000.
With the expert’s valuation far exceeding Adam’s asking price, Harrison knew he had a potential treasure on his hands. He cautiously negotiated, hoping to secure the best possible deal.
Respecting their previous interactions, Adam agreed to Harrison’s offer of $24,000. Both men walked away satisfied, Adam with a hefty sum and Harrison with a valuable piece of American history.