Contains three early printings of Thomas Paine as well as a large bound-in advertisement, dated September 11, 1815. Rights of Man first appeared in 1791 as a response to Edmund Burke's criticism of the French Revolution. It quickly went through multiple editions in its first year, and it is estimated that within three months of its release over 50,000 copies were in circulation. Paine is credited with helping (temporarily) turn the tide of public opinion regarding the revolution in France. It was for this work that he was tried and convicted in absentia for seditious libel - the sentence for which he avoided, as he was in France. A crucial document both of the revolutionary period and the radical enlightenment. References: ESTC T5878; ESTC T5879; ESTC T5834. The advertisement is for a Hippodrama featuring equestrian events intermixed with comedy and drama, and took place at Astley's Amphitheatre, the first modern circus ring.

Featured on the ad are both Mr. Ridgway, as "Fim Turf (Afterwards Harlequin)" and Mrs. Ridgway, featured in larger font as Joan in Henry VIII and the Cobler. They are of possible relation to James Ridgway, who published one of the included Paine pieces, if he had children or cousins involved in entertainment.

It has a fascinating disparate parity, showing the political turmoil of the time with the ephemeral nature of a horse-show, "or, Harlequin in Horseback!" Since the back of the advertisement has verses based on Dibdin as well as featuring "Two High-Dressed Managed Horses will Dance Hayden's Minuet," it brings a third musical dynamic to it. Interestingly, the last part (Abbe Raynal) is lacking the final issued advertisement leaf.

Octavo, iv, 78 pages, vii, [1], pp. [9]-90, [4], [4], pp. [5]-45. In Very Good condition. Bound in full unsigned straight-grained morocco, elaborate gilt dicing to boards, paneled spine with gilt titling and tooling. All edges gilt. Boards show some wear and rubbing, primarily to extremities and hinges, small bump to tail of spine, and minor rubbing and scraping to binding; Text block (all edges gilt) has archival backing to the title page of Rights of Man, and archival backing to title pages of Part the Second and Abbe Raynal, and generally more wear to title pages than the remaining text block. Abbe Raynal lacks the final advertisement leaf.

Bound in at the rear is a large bound-in advertisement for Astley's Royal Amphitheatre, dated September 11, 1815. Approximately 20 in. x 6.5 in., printed on both sides. With numerous fonts and old folds. Trimmed, with small loss to text.

EC Consignment. Shelved in Case 3.