Description:

(FORGERS) MARK HOFMANN
(b. 1954) American counterfeiter, forger, and convicted murderer. Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished forgers in history, Hofmann is especially noted for his creation of fake documents related to the history of the Mormon Church. When his schemes began to unravel, he constructed bombs to murder three people in Salt Lake City, Utah. The first two bombs killed two people on October 15, 1985. On the following day, a third bomb exploded in Hofmann's car. He was arrested for the bombings three months later, and in 1987 pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, one count of theft by deception, and one count of fraud. Very rare D.S., Hofmann's personal check made out and signed by him, Feb. 3, 1982, making a $2,000 payment to 'Alvin Rust'. Fine condition. ALVIN RUST was a Salt Lake City coin dealer and one of Hofmann's business partners, most of them involving purportedly rare Mormon currency. The transactions usually involved investments of less than $10,000, but in early 1985 Hofmann asked Rust to finance a $180,000 purchase of the so-called McLellin Collection, which purportedly belonged to William McLellin, a 19th century Mormon apostle who turned against the church. Rust made the loan, but never saw a single document. Hofmann repaid him only $18,000 - this check was likely part of that refund. SOLD WITH: a 7.75 x 5 in. partial A.L.S. on laid paper, a postscript signed 'E.B.J.' with an identifying note in another hand: 'Ezra B. Taylor Congressman' beneath, two corners scorched and said to have been damaged in the car blast that also injured Hofmann and led to to his arrest. We believe that this is yet another Hofmann forgery. Taylor was an American lawyer and politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Ohio from 1880 to 1893 and he was a rabid anti-Mormon. Two pieces. From the most extensive and prestigious crime collection in the world.

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May 4, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$5,000 $9,999 $500
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