An Engraving of Thomas Paine

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Gilbert Vale’s Life of Paine was published in 1841. The referenced plate (see image below) served as the the frontice of each copy. With regard to the origin of the engraving, the following is Vale’s 1841 description from his serial journal the Beacon, of New York:

The Plate which accompanies the Life of Paine.- This is acknowledged to be a beautiful design; no expense has been spared, and it is admirably executed. The design is the same as the ball tickets used at the Paine anniversary, with the autograph added. The likeness is considered by those who knew Mr. Paine, the best on copper. The bust is encircled with his name, date of his birth, death, and age; with the motto at bottom, taken from his works. “The world is my country, and to do good my religion.” On the left of the bust sits the goddess of Reason, distinguished by the flame, as in other designs; on the right sits a priest, abashed at the light of reason. The autograph subscribed was taken from a manuscript in our possession of which it is a fac-simile.
👉👉 We give the above plate to the subscribers to the Beacon, as the most acceptable we could think of.- We have had a few thousands of these plates struck off, one of which we shall present to each of our subscribers, as a frontice piece to the new series, and thus we shall fulfill our promise. The plate is so arranged that it can be inserted in the volumes already bound. 👉👉 We shall furnish all new subscribers with this plate; whether they begin the series or not.

Beacon 2:23
24 April 1841