The American Crisis, and a Letter to Sir Guy Carleton, on the Murder of Captain Huddy, and the Intended Retaliation on Captain Asgill, of the Guards.

PAINE, Thomas.

$12,500.00

Item Number: 111055

London: Printed and Sold by Daniel Isaac Eaton, 1788.

First collected edition and first edition in book form of the thirteen issues of Paine’s legendary call to arms, the first five issues having appeared originally as separate tracts and the last eight issued only in newspapers. Octavo, bound in full contemporary calf with red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. In near fine condition. Ownership inscriptions. Rare and desirable.

As aide-de-camp to General Nathaniel Green at Newark, Paine began writing his Crises. The first issue appeared in 1776 in the Pennsylvania Journal and begins with the often-quoted phrase, "These are the times that try men's souls." "It was read in every corporal's guard in the army, and received with enthusiasm. [Paine] published eight Crises during 1777 and 1778. The British army evacuated Philadelphia in June 1778, and Paine returned thither with the congress. The Crises, vigorously written to keep up the spirits of the Americans, had additional authority from his official position" (DNB).