History's Best Selling Products of 1787

Revisiting 1787 presents a grand parade of items history, marked by swell Yankee ingenuity and home-front craftsmanship and enduring fan favorites. Unrivaled hits including The Federalist, A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States, and The Contrast took top honors in living rooms and storefronts alike. Master craftsmen from industry leaders like Alexander Hamilton and John Adams led the vanguard, engineering high-caliber releases that swept main street from coast to coast as genuine top-flight hits. Dive into the full historical rankings below to see which standout creations won the day.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.