Later black half calf over black cloth. Spine ruled and lettered in gilt. All edges speckled red. Some rubbing to edges and corners. Bottom of spine with minor chipping. Hairline splits at top and bottom of the spine, but holding firm. Some occasional light foxing and soiling to the text, mostly at the end. And old inkstamp of Lonox Library New York to verso of title page, and "Duplicate" stamped at lower right corner of title page recto, old bookseller's entry and paper remnant at bottom of final page, not affecting text. Overall a very good copy.

"Even after Lexington and Bunker Hill, it is probable that a majority of the American people hoped for a reconciliation under which they would have freedom, but as citizens of a British Empire. The radical party had portrayed King George as a benevolent monarch, surrounded by wicked ministers, and few dared even mention independence. Paine's Common Sense, published anonymously in January, 1776, as the first vigorous attack on King George, a "hardened, sullen-tempered Pharaoh," Paine called him, and the first public appeal for an American Republic. It is not too much to say that the Declaration of Independence, was due more to Paine's Common Sense than to any other single piece of writing" (Grolier).

Church 1135. Evans 14958. Gimbel CS-30. Grolier, 100 American, 14. Howes P17. Sabin 58213.

HBS # 68416 $17,500