Common Sense Essay

Walker Harrington
Richard Bell
History 137
10/5/12
Common Sense Thomas Paine's, Common Sense, was easily accessible to the people of Pennsylvania during 1776 when the first copies of this pamphlet were published. In 1776, Common Sense had spread rapidly through the colonies due to some key factors. Printing presses printed editions of Common Sense in different languages increasing the amount of readers. The low cost of two shillings also helped the large number of sales for Paine's work. Advertisements showed up consistently in local papers with the pamphlet listed for sale in various locations around the town. This made the pamphlet readily accessible to common townspeople. The ideas expressed in Common Sense were also being spread orally throughout the colonies. Pamphlets that had opposing opinions to Common Sense, such as Plain Truth, were also being sold at this time. These opposing opinions were not as vastly spread and conveniently accessible. Paine's pamphlet had tremendous positive results on the colonies due to its' affordable cost and widespread availability. Not only was this bestselling book being rapidly reproduced and distributed throughout the colonies, it was also being reproduced in different languages, such as German and French, and shipped over seas.1 With this action taking place one can infer that not only the colonists in America were interested in what this pamphlet had to say but also in other overseas countries. Within the first three months of publication Paine's book had sold one hundred and twenty thousand copies in the colonies alone. These numbers suggest that "almost every American able to read, had read "Common Sense."2 Just weeks after the pamphlet was published several hundred copies were already reserved for purchase after they were reprinted, and one thousand were printed to be taken to Virginia.3 The high demand of this book caused the printers in Pennsylvania to be very busy printing and shipping this work throughout the colonies. Another reason that Common Sense successfully reached most of the colonists was its affordable cost. The first edition of the book sold in stores for two shillings, but once the second edition was printed the cost was cut in half, now being sold for only one shilling "in order to accommodate it to the abilities of every man."4 Not only could townspeople buy a single copy for one shilling but when sold by the dozen, the bundle only cost eight shillings.5 Plain Truth, a book written in opposition to the work of Thomas Paine, was also for sale at the low price of a single shilling sold by the same Third street printer that published Common Sense.6 In order for copies of the Plain Truth to sell the author had to compete with the low prices of Paine's pamphlet. To find out if this actually was affordable for an everyday citizen one must understand the value of a shilling. In the year 1776 one court of fine flour cost almost eighteen shillings.7 So the price of one shilling was likely a manageable expenditure for a family to pay to learn more about this pamphlet there was so much talk about. The location of the book stores and printing presses that advertised and produced this pamphlet also played a key factor in it's widespread distribution. Throughout the city of Philadelphia there were numerous places that one could attain a copy of Common Sense. A local paper advertised the selling of this pamphlet at various locations throughout town such as, the London Coffee-house, on Second street near the meeting, on Front street, and also on the corner of Market and Water street.8 Upon examining a map of the city in 1787 it is clear that these shops were on the main roads of the city of Philadelphia. Market Street, the central road running through the town was not only home to printing presses and book stores, but also the court house, and many other retail stores selling things such as linens, fabrics, spices, rice, tobacco, and lamp oil.9 For the average person,

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