Autographs
Important 1802 THOMAS PAINE Autograph Letter Signed Author of “Common Sense” and “The American Crisis”
THOMAS PAINE (1737-1809). English-American Political Activist, Author, Political Theorist and Revolutionary. Author of “Common Sense” (1776), the all-time best-selling American book that advocated colonial America's independence from Great Britain, and “The American Crisis” (1776–83), a pro-Revolutionary pamphlet series.
Dated in the Napoleonic calendar “30 floral” (May 3, 1802), Autograph Letter Signed, “Thomas Paine,” measuring 7.5” x 9”, 2 written pages, plus Integral Postal Leaf, at Plessis Piquet (France), Choice Very Fine. This exceedingly rare Autograph Letter fully penned in the hand of the famous Revolutionary War author, Thomas Paine. It has excellent overall quality and eye appeal. There is a very thin paper strip reinforcement added along left edge, and a minor paper loss on Integral Postal Leaf in the blank portion from the red wax seal when opened, not affecting any text. Some math notations on a blank panel in Paine’s hand.

This Letter is written to Fulwar Skipwith, the American Consul in Versailles, France. Here, Thomas Paine seeks some financial advice for a friend in France who is about to invest in an American bank. Overall this Letter is full, solid and complete having rich deep brown writing by Paine. It is written upon very clean laid period paper havingh expected light folds from mailing. The signature, “Thomas Paine” is bold and vivid, extremelt sharp and clear, measuring 2.25” long. This important Letter reads, in full:

“Plessis Piques --- 30 florial (10th year - May 3, 1802) --- My Dear friend ---

My friend Tenebio at whose place I now am, has directed his Banker in London, Hemmersby, to invest the balance of accounts due to him, in American Bank shares which he has done, and in his letter to him of April 30 says ‘We are about to send the necessary deeds to America to have the Stock transfered in your name. The interest thereon may be received there, in Amsterdam, or in London as best suit yourself, but we wish to have your directions that we may give our orders accordingly and at the same time.’

Is it necessary to find the original deed to America, or an attested copy of it? Should the original deed rest in the hands of Tenebio? If an attested copy be sent, can more than one be sent, in case of accident, as is done in 1d, 2d, 3d, bills of Exchange. Be so kind to give me your opinion upon this case, and add a word of American news if you have any. When you are mounted on your Rosinwanta and can make a strech thus far we shall be glad to see you. You can tell us what pigs and cows are worth as Tenebio is going to buy some. Give my compts to Mr. Purveyance. --- Your affectionate friend --- (Signed) Thomas Paine --- Chez le Citoyen Tenebio”.

Rarely does a Thomas Paine Autograph Letter or this high quality and magnitude appear upon the collector market for sale. Even a clip signature of Thomas Paine is considered a prize in any autograph collection. This Letter was penned by Paine at Le Plessis Piquet in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, France, located 10.5 km (6.5 mi) from the center of Paris. Paine’s autograph transcends many areas of collecting interests including, American Revolutionary War, Authors, Political and Religion. An important, true major highlight of this outstanding Autograph offering.
Thomas Paine (1737 – June 8, 1809) was an English-American political activist, author, political theorist and revolutionary. As the author of two highly influential pamphlets at the start of the American Revolution, he inspired the Patriots in 1776 to declare Independence from Britain.

His ideas reflected Enlightenment era rhetoric of transnational human rights. Born in Thetford, England, in the county of Norfolk, Paine emigrated to the British American colonies in 1774. With the help of Benjamin Franklin he arrived in time to participate in the American Revolution.

His principal contributions were the powerful, widely read pamphlet Common Sense (1776), the all-time best-selling American book that advocated colonial America's independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain, and The American Crisis (1776–83), a pro-Revolutionary pamphlet series.

Common Sense was so influential that John Adams said, "Without the pen of the author of Common Sense, the sword of Washington would have been raised in vain."

Paine lived in France for most of the 1790s, becoming deeply involved in the French Revolution. He wrote the Rights of Man (1791), in part a defence of the French Revolution against its critics. His attacks on British writer Edmund Burke led to a trial and conviction in absentia in 1792 for the crime of seditious libel. In 1792, despite not being able to speak French, he was elected to the French National Convention. The Girondists regarded him as an ally. Consequently, the Montagnards, especially Robespierre, regarded him as an enemy.

In December 1793, he was arrested and imprisoned in Paris, then released in 1794. He became notorious because of The Age of Reason (1793–94), his book that advocates deism, promotes reason and freethinking, and argues against institutionalized religion in general and Christian doctrine in particular. He also wrote the pamphlet Agrarian Justice (1795), discussing the origins of property, and introduced the concept of a guaranteed minimum income.

In 1802, he returned to America where he died on June 8, 1809. Only six people attended his funeral as he had been ostracized for his ridicule of Christianity

At this time, the United States banking system had just undergone a number of sweeping changes, chiefly of which was the expansion of state-chartered banks. From 1801-1811, the number of state banks rose from 30 to 88, while their total capital increased about three-fold. Investment in these banks was very profitable, especially for foreigners who enjoyed a stronger national currency.

Though Paine was eager to solicit financial advice for his benefactor, his own finacial affairs were quite tenuous. He returned to the United States in the fall, but branded an atheist for his most thoughtful work, “Age of Reason” he died alone and in a state of poverty.

(From Wikipedia)