"This is to make known to all who may be desirous, concerning the knowledge of Mr. Joseph Smith, jr, in deciphering the ancient Egyptian hierogliphic characters, in my possession, which I have, in many eminent cities, shown to the most learned: And, from the information that I could ever learn, or meet with, I find that of Mr. Joseph Smith, jr. to correspond in the most minute matters." — Michael Chandler1
Michael Chandler was an antiquities exhibitor and farmer, born in Ireland around 1798, who immigrated to the United States in 1828.2 By 1833, he'd acquired eleven mummies and exhibited them in Philadelphia and later in other cities. In 1835, Chandler traveled to Kirtland, Ohio, where he met Joseph Smith. Joseph was interested in Chandler's Egyptian papyri, which contained ancient writings and images.3 After allowing Smith to examine the scrolls overnight, Chandler sold the mummies and the artifacts to Smith and other buyers.3 Chandler continued his life in Ohio, purchasing land and farming until his death at Parkman, Ohio in 1866.2
Chandler reported that the artifacts and mummies had been found in some catacombs in Egypt near where the city of Thebes used to stand. They were found by the renowned French traveler Antonio Lebolo, who got permission from the current Viceroy of Egypt at the time and acquired a license to take and distribute the mummies and artifacts there.4
