London: Printed for J.S. Jordon, 1791.

Full description:

PAINE, Thomas. Rights of Man: Being an Answer to Mr. Burke's Attack on the French Revolution. London: Printed for J.S. Jordon, 1791.

First edition, second issue (which is first available), with "Jordan" imprint and added preface. Octavo, in fours (8 x 4 7/8 inches; 202 x 124 mm). [iii]-x, [5]-162 pp. Bound without half-title. This, referred by many as the "first Jordan edition," was the first edition available for public sale.

[Together with]:

PAINE, Thomas. Rights of Man. Part the Second. Combining Principle and Practice. The Fifth Edition. London: Printed for J.S. Jordon, 1792.

Fifth edition of the second part of Paine's Right of Man. Octavo (8 1/2 x 5 3/8 inches; 215 x 135 mm). xv, [1, contents], [1]-178 pp. Bound without half-title.

Volumes uniformly bound in full black library cloth. Front boards lettered in gilt. With the name "Farnell Family" in gilt on front boards. some light foxing throughout. Minor pencil markings to both volumes. Final leaf of volume I with small tear at upper outer corner, not affecting text. Overall a very good set.

This famous and important treatise, on the principles of fundamental human rights laid down by Thomas Paine, became an instant success. Originally published by Johnson in February of 1791, it was suppressed immediately.

The original publisher was Johnson, who became apprehensive about publishing the book. It was finally issued by Jordan who canceled the title-page and added his own imprint on a new title. He also reprinted the dedication and the preface. The sheets of the text itself are the ones printed by Johnson.

"The attack on the French Revolution, which Burke had made in his Reflections on the Revolution in France, infuriated Paine, who was chagrined by these statements coming from his former friend, the great liberal. He rushed into print with his even more celebrated answer, The Rights of Man. Paine hope this book would do for England what his Common Sense had done for America. He appropriately dedicated it to George Washington and published it on Washington's birthday, February 22, 1791. However, the publisher, J. Johnson, frightened by Government agents, suppressed it on the day of publication. Only a few copies, distributed prior to publication, have survived'

(Gimbel).

The second part constitutes Paine's revolutionary advocacy of representative government, and an appeal to the English to overthrow their monarchy. It was so popular with English radicals that 200,000 copies were sold by 1793.

"The Textbook Of Radical Thought And The Clearest Of All Expositions

Of The Basic Principles Of Democracy" (Printing and the Mind of Man)

ESTC N13086. Gimbel p. 418. Howes P31. Printing and the Mind of Man 241.

HBS 68915.

$5,000.

Price: $5,000.00

Item #68915