Thomas Paine's 1797 letter offered at Firsts London Rare Book Fair with revolutionary theme

The Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea will host London's Rare Book Fair from May 14 to 17, 2026, with the theme 'Revolution,' highlighting significant political, cultural, social, and scientific changes. Around 100 booksellers from across the globe will showcase items, including materials commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A notable highlight is a letter penned by Thomas Paine in January 1797 in Paris to Colonel John Fellows. Paine, a key figure in American history, was a political philosopher, inventor, and statesman known for his impactful pamphlets like Common Sense in the 1770s. Shapero Rare Books will sell this letter for a six-figure price. The fair will also display manuscripts, maps, and ephemera linked to various revolutionary movements.