Fisher, Leonard Everett

Describes colonial fur trade and its influence on the Hat Act and American independence; and examines the technique of the colonial hatter, describing hat styles, materials, and construction.

Describes the advent of the wig as a fashion necessity in France and England, illustrates popular styles of eighteenth-century wigs, and explains the colonial wigmaker's technique in construction and care of the wig.

Discusses the motivation, materials, and techniques of the first "artists" in colonial America--the sign painters--and how their works contribute to a better understanding of early American history and society.

Describes the enterprise and commercial development that peddlers brought to the colonies before the establishing of general stores.

Surveys the history of printing in colonial America, describing the work of early printers, the development of the free press, and the printer's craft and technique.

Traces the early development of medicine in colonial America and discusses some of the methods and medications used at that time for treating illness.

A boy keeps a diary of his experience on his first voyage aboard a sinister whaling ship.

Gives a short history of American papermaking before the Revolution, and describes the processes used by the colonial papermakers, from the separating of rag fibers to the final finishing or glazing.