Aprons Instead of Uniforms: The Practice of Printing, 1776-1787.

Examines the relationship between printers, the Continental Congress, and state legislatures, as well as the impact of the American Revolution on the printing business. Throughout the war printing remained an uncertain business, but it was central to the colonists' cause. State and national legislatures constantly sought to engage and retain printers as well as ascertain their loyalty. The nature of the trade allowed no printer to remain neutral, and this created additional problems.