The Scarcity of a Thomas Paine Autograph

FREE APPRAISAL. To auction, buy, consign or sell your Thomas Paine autograph please go to http://www.NateDSanders.com, email Nate at [email protected] or phone (310) 440-2982.

The Founding Fathers’ Autographs, Specifically a Thomas Paine Autograph

A Thomas Paine autograph is one of the rarest of the Founding Fathers. Unlike Benjamin Franklin or even Alexander Hamilton, a Thomas Paine autograph is so scarce because Paine was an activist rather than a politician. In fact, as an activist, he was imprisoned in France during the Reign of Terror. So, even though “Common Sense” was crucial to the American Revolution, Paine never signed documents as an elected official. This makes a Thomas Paine autograph very scarce.

The Value of a Thomas Paine Autograph

A Thomas Paine autograph is usually in the form of letters. Depending on content, they have sold anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000. That price rivals the more well known founding fathers such as John Adams, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson & James Madison.

Thomas Paine Autograph Recently Sold at Nate D. Sanders

Very Rare Thomas Paine Autograph Letter Signed, to Fellow Revolutionary Ira Allen

Thomas Paine autograph letter signed, from sometime in the 1790s.  Paine was exiled in France for writing subversive text such as ”Rights of Man”. Paine writes to fellow Revolutionary Ira Allen, brother of Ethan Allen, who was also in Paris periodically throughout the 1790s as a result of his prosecution by the English government. Paine writes in full, ”Dear Citizen – I called at the Caffe Boston today, where I dined, but you were not at home, will you call on me tomorrow morning, at 12 OClock. /  Thomas Paine”. Dated ”4 Vendemiaire” or 26 September at top.  With verso bearing the name of ”Le General Allen / Americain”.

Interestingly, during this time Cafe Boston was a known haunt of Americans critical of the French government, controlled by Robespierre and the Montagnards, the faction responsible for the Reign of Terror.

As Paine spoke out against the execution of Louis XVI, he was subsequently imprisoned by the French government, as was Allen during the 1790s. A December 30, 1802 police report comments about the Cafe, ”Some middle class English people often meet at the cafe Boston on Vivienne Street. They speak only in their own language.”  The report continues, “…our government is always the subject of their conversions, and they say nothing but bad things about it. They take great care not to be overheard”.

The single page letter measures 7” x 4.75”. Remnants of prior mounting to verso, small hole at bottom and some show through from writing on verso. Overall in very good condition, with a bold signature by Paine. Accompanied by a 4.25” x 6” engraving of Paine. Sold for $10,238.

Signed Items by Other Founding Fathers

This scarce handwritten report by President Thomas Jefferson sold for $226,871 at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. In it, Jefferson reports on the famous Lewis & Clark Expedition.

This John Adams autograph letter signed is currently offered for sale through Nate D. Sanders Auctions. It’s regarding the War of 1812 and George Washington’s performance in the American Revolution.

Here is a George Washington document signed from 1795. President Washington appoints a Consul during his second term.

George Washington Document Signed as President From 1795

Nate D. Sanders Auctions sold this letter by James Madison in July 1803. It’s regarding the April 1803 offer from France for the Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the amount of U.S. land for a mere $15,000,000.

The Founding Fathers are the most revered figures of American history. They are also among the most collectable. Of the Founding Fathers, a Thomas Paine autograph is one of the rarest.

To auction, buy, consign or sell your Thomas Paine autograph please go to http://www.NateDSanders.com, email Nate at [email protected] or phone (310) 440-2982.

We offer the following services for your Thomas Paine Autograph:

• Appraise Thomas Paine Autograph.
• Auction Thomas Paine Autograph.
• Sell Thomas Paine Autograph.