Products From the 1780s: History's Best Sellers

Extra! Extra! On the home front and across the nation, 1780s saw a swell surge of swell Yankee ingenuity and home-front craftsmanship in the world of items! Leading the charge were mighty, top-selling marvels like A Journal of the Life, Travels, and Labours of John Griffith and Picture hat, capturing the public’s fancy in grand fashion. Distinguished creators from industry leaders like John Griffith and Various Milliners proved their mettle with Notes on the State of Virginia, delivering craftsmanship that swept main street from coast to coast as genuine top-flight hits. Step right up and inspect our complete, rank-ordered historical archive below!

1. A Journal of the Life, Travels, and Labours of John Griffith

   Released in 1780 by John Griffith, James Phillips

   Published in London in 1780, 'A Journal of the Life, Travels, and Labours of John Griffith' stands as a profound historical document, offering an intimate glimpse into the spiritual and physical landscape of pre-Revolutionary America and Britain through the eyes of a devout Quaker minister. Its release shortly after the American Revolution provided a retrospective reflection on an era of significant social and religious transformation. The journal is historically significant not merely as a personal narrative but as a primary source detailing the itinerant ministry, challenges, and inner life of a prominent Friend, illuminating the steadfast principles and communal networks that defined Quakerism during a pivotal period of Anglo-American history. It reflects the enduring practice of spiritual self-examination central to Quaker identity.

2. Picture hat

   Released in 1780 by Various Milliners, Inspired by Marie Antoinette and Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire

   The Picture hat burst onto the fashion scene in the late 18th century, quickly becoming an emblem of romantic elegance and an instant success among the European aristocracy. Popularized by style icons such as Marie Antoinette in France and Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire in England, this grand headpiece offered a dramatic frame for the wearer's face, transforming them into a living portrait, much like those seen in the era's grand paintings. Its widespread adoption underscored a shift towards more expressive and visually striking fashion, allowing women of high society to make a bold, yet graceful, statement at social gatherings and outdoor events. Its immediate appeal lay in its ability to combine theatricality with undeniable charm, marking it as a sensation that would endure through centuries.

3. Notes on the State of Virginia

   Released in 1781 by Thomas Jefferson

   Released in manuscript form in 1781, 'Notes on the State of Virginia' is a profoundly significant historical document, providing an invaluable window into the intellectual landscape and pressing issues of post-Revolutionary America through the eyes of one of its most influential founders. Compiled in response to a series of queries, it transcends a mere descriptive account of Virginia to become a comprehensive intellectual and philosophical treatise. Its detailed observations on the state's geography, resources, and institutions, intertwined with Jefferson's controversial reflections on race and slavery, underscore its critical role in shaping contemporary debates and offer enduring insights into the complex formation of American identity and republican ideals at its inception.

4. Letters from an American Farmer

   Released in 1782 by J. Hector St. John de Crèvecœur, Lockyer Davis

   Published in 1782, 'Letters from an American Farmer' is a profoundly significant work that offered both European and American audiences a crucial lens through which to understand the nascent United States. Its release during the latter stages of the American Revolution provided a timely, if often idealized, portrait of American society and character, greatly influencing perceptions of the new nation's potential and distinctiveness. The book's meditations on agrarian life, the 'melting pot' phenomenon, and the transformation of European immigrants into a 'new man' laid intellectual groundwork for subsequent discussions on national identity, making it an indispensable document for comprehending early American thought and the burgeoning sense of self in the newly formed republic.

5. Hot Air Balloon, Montgolfier Balloon

   Released in 1783 by Joseph-Michel Montgolfier, Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier

   On September 19, 1783, the skies of Annonay, France, witnessed the dawn of human aviation when the Montgolfier brothers publicly demonstrated the world's first successful hot air balloon. Their pioneering 10-minute unmanned flight shattered the ancient boundaries of Earth-bound transit. It sparked a rapid wave of experimentation that, within just two months, achieved the monumental milestone of the first free flight with human passengers aboard.

6. Chemise

   Released in 1783 by Evolved Garment, Anonymous

   The chemise, an astonishingly enduring garment, has traversed millennia, evolving from a simple undergarment to a symbol of fashion revolution. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, serving as a fundamental layer of clothing for centuries across various cultures. However, its most dramatic popularization as a distinct *fashion item* occurred in the late 18th century. When Marie Antoinette famously posed in a loose, white muslin chemise dress in 1783, it not only sparked scandal but irrevocably shifted the sartorial landscape. This seemingly simple garment, defying the elaborate rigidities of court fashion, resonated deeply, embodying a new ideal of comfort and naturalism that heralded a significant departure in Western dress and cemented its place in fashion history.

7. The History of the Revolution of South Carolina

   Released in 1783 by David Ramsay, Isaac Collins

   David Ramsay's "The History of the Revolution of South Carolina" holds profound historical significance as one of the very first state-focused histories of the American Revolutionary War, published in 1783, the same year the Treaty of Paris formally ended hostilities. Its timely release served a crucial function in the new nation: to document, celebrate, and solidify the narrative of American independence from a distinctly Southern perspective. Ramsay, a participant in many of the events he chronicled, offered a celebratory account intended to foster national pride and provide a foundational understanding of the sacrifices and triumphs that secured liberty, thereby contributing significantly to the construction of a collective American memory in the immediate post-war era.

8. The History of New Hampshire

   Released in 1784 by Jeremy Belknap

   Published in 1784, the first volume of Jeremy Belknap's 'The History of New Hampshire' stands as a profoundly significant achievement in early American historiography. At a time when the nascent United States was striving to define its identity, both nationally and regionally, Belknap’s work provided a meticulously researched and remarkably objective account of one of its constituent states. It offered a crucial foundation for understanding the geographical, political, and social evolution of New Hampshire from its earliest European settlements through the transformative years leading up to the Revolution. This seminal text not only documented the past but also played a vital role in shaping a distinct New Hampshire consciousness and contributed to the broader intellectual project of charting the histories of the newly formed commonwealths, setting a high standard for subsequent regional studies across the young nation.

9. The Conquest of Canaan

   Released in 1785 by Timothy Dwight

   The Conquest of Canaan," published in 1785, holds a unique place in American literary history as the nation's first epic poem. Released just two years after the Treaty of Paris formally ended the Revolutionary War, Dwight's monumental work reflected the nascent nation's fervent desire to forge a distinct cultural identity alongside its newly won political independence. Its ambitious scope and classical aspirations signaled a profound statement about America's readiness to contribute to the global literary canon, moving beyond mere colonial imitation. This poem was a crucial, albeit complex, effort to imbue the American experience with mythic grandeur, aiming to define the young republic's moral and historical foundations through a heroic narrative. It represented a bold step in articulating a unique American literary voice in the post-war era.

10. The Poems of Philip Freneau

    Released in 1786 by Philip Freneau, Francis Bailey

    Philip Freneau's 1786 collection, "The Poems of Philip Freneau," stands as a pivotal literary work, embodying the poetic and political spirit of the immediate post-Revolutionary generation. Published in Philadelphia, the young nation's intellectual hub, this volume was more than just a compilation of verses; it was a cultural touchstone reflecting America's struggle to define itself in the wake of independence. Freneau, often hailed as the 'Poet of the American Revolution,' skillfully wove together themes of patriotism, nature, and political satire, offering readers a mirror to their collective experiences and aspirations. His work provided a crucial voice during a time when American literature was actively seeking to distinguish itself from its European antecedents, establishing a distinct national poetic tradition and capturing the era's complex mood of triumph, introspection, and burgeoning republican ideals.

11. The Federalist (Collected Edition)

    Released in 1787 by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, George F. Hopkins

    The 1787 collected edition of 'The Federalist' emerged at a critical juncture in early American political history, during the tumultuous presidency of Thomas Jefferson and the fierce ideological battles between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. This reissue was not merely a reprinting but a deliberate political act, aimed at reasserting the original principles and intentions behind the U.S. Constitution as interpreted by its framers, particularly Alexander Hamilton. Its publication underscored the continuing relevance of these foundational essays as a bulwark against what many Federalists perceived as dangerous deviations from the constitutional order, thereby profoundly impacting political discourse and legal interpretation in the nascent republic.

12. A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States

    Released in 1787 by John Adams

    Published in 1787, John Adams's "A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America" was a critical intervention in the ongoing American debate over republican governance, arriving just as the Constitutional Convention convened in Philadelphia. This extensive work provided a robust theoretical and historical justification for a strong, balanced government with distinct branches, directly addressing the perceived weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the political instability exemplified by Shays' Rebellion. Its timely release and profound arguments made it an indispensable intellectual resource for Federalists, offering a scholarly framework to support the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances that would become central to the new Constitution.

13. The Contrast

    Released in 1787 by Royall Tyler, Prichard & Hall

    Royall Tyler's "The Contrast," published in book form in Philadelphia in 1787, represents a pivotal moment in American cultural history, marking the emergence of a truly indigenous theatrical tradition. Originally staged with great success three years earlier, its print publication solidified its status as a foundational text. This work, appearing just years after the Constitution's ratification, played a crucial role in defining and celebrating American virtues against perceived European decadence. Its sharp wit and accessible narrative resonated deeply with a nascent nation striving to forge its own identity, impacting not only the stage but also the broader literary and social discourse of the young republic, setting a precedent for future American artistic expression.

14. The Federalist

    Released in 1788 by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, J. & A. McLean

    The Federalist Papers, published between 1787 and 1788, are an indispensable collection of 85 essays that profoundly shaped the course of American history by advocating for the ratification of the proposed United States Constitution. Released at a critical juncture when the young nation was debating its very structure of government, these essays systematically addressed and countered the myriad objections raised by Anti-Federalists. Their timely publication in 1788, coinciding with the crucial state ratification conventions, was instrumental in swaying public opinion, particularly in pivotal states like New York. The impact of these works extended far beyond their immediate goal, cementing their place as foundational texts for understanding American constitutional law and political philosophy.

15. The Power of Sympathy

    Released in 1789 by William Hill Brown, Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. Andrews

    Published in 1789, 'The Power of Sympathy' holds a pivotal place in American literary history as the nation's inaugural novel. Its release marked a significant step in the development of a distinct American literary tradition, moving beyond mere imitation of European models. Coming just six years after the Treaty of Paris officially ended the Revolutionary War, the novel reflected the nascent republic's anxieties about social order, individual morality, and the establishment of a virtuous citizenry. Its innovative blend of sentimentalism with cautionary tales about seduction and forbidden love captivated readers, laying groundwork for future American fiction and offering a window into late 18th-century cultural mores.