Common Sense; Addressed to the Inhabitants of America, On the Following Interesting Subjects...
Albany, NY: Charles R. and George Webster, 1791 [but actually 1792].
The classic essay advocating American independence, extracted from the first edition of Thomas Paine's collected works, unknown printing. 60 pp., laid paper. Bound by Green Dragon Bindery in marbled paper wraps, paper title label to front wrap. Very Good+ with moderate toning and light wear and dampstaining to contents. Bleedthrough to title page from contemporary inscription ("Time is the Teller of all Things") to verso. Housed in a matching clamshell case, marbled paper over half leather, morocco title labels to spine, maroon cloth interior.
A very handsomely preserved copy of the most influential essay in American history. "The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind," writes Paine in this call for independence, first published as a pamphlet on January 10, 1776. It was timed to coincide with the release of King George's opening speech to Parliament, in which, as Paine had predicted, the monarch asked for a greater force to defeat the rebellion that had begun the previous year.
Over 100,000 copies of the pamphlet were in circulation within three months.The text was reprinted in newspapers across the Colonies and provoked furious public debate. Even the Americans who supported separation from Britain had not necessarily looked as far as republicanism, imagining a sort of local king instead. Thomas Paine was instrumental in convincing them that an entirely new kind of government had to be formed. Monarchism was incompatible with liberty. Paine went on to write other famous works, but he described himself in his will as "author of the work entitled 'Common Sense.'"
When Charles R. and George Webster published The Writings, of Thomas Paine in 1792, they led with 'Common Sense,' dated 1791 on its individual title page because the essay had been published separately the previous year. This extract was removed from a copy of that first edition. Each section was individually paginated, and the printing is indistinguishable without the complete volume. ESTC W14021, Evans 28657, Howes P34.
Price: $6,000