[Americana] (Paine, Thomas). Common Sense; Addressed to the Inhabitants of America...

The "Censored" London Edition of Common Sense

Philadelphia, Printed; London, Re-Printed, for J. Almon, 1776. First English edition (conforming with all of Gimbel's first edition points, including the half-title with no edition statement and all hiatuses filled in by a neat, early hand). 8vo. Lacking signature G of Appendix (four total leaves). Later quarter sheep, spine worn; light soiling to half-title; some margins trimmed affecting marginalia or some of the manuscript hiatuses. Adams, American Controversy 76-107c; Church 1135; Gimbel CS-25; Grolier, 100 American 14; Howes P-17; Sabin 58213

To avoid legal responsibility, Almon decided to remove the most provocative phrases and sentences from his edition of Common Sense. They appear instead as simple gaps in the print, or hiatuses. These gaps appear on a dozen different pages in all 1776 editions, with the earliest editions omitting an additional five words.

"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).

This copy is without Chalmers's Plain Truth as often seen, but with the collective half-title listing both titles. Some copies of this edition appear with Chalmers's Plain Truth under a collective half-title, but as Adams states, "The difference in paper used in the two, in at least some copies, suggests that they were printed at different times."

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Darren Winston

SVP, Head of Department, Books and Manuscripts, Philadelphia

[email protected]267.414.1247

Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

[Americana] (Paine, Thomas). Common Sense; Addressed to the Inhabitants of America...

Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

[Americana] (Paine, Thomas). Common Sense; Addressed to the Inhabitants of America...

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