An Empire of Print

An Empire of Print: The New York Publishing Trade in the Early American Republic by Steven Carl Smith examines the historical foundations of the American book industry. This scholarly work investigates how New York City rose to literary preeminence during the post-Revolutionary War and Jacksonian eras. Through five detailed case studies, the text explores the development of local and national distribution networks that connected printers, booksellers, and readers. It provides a deep analysis of the economic relationships and social practices that defined the early New York publishing trade.

As a significant contribution to American history and the study of book industries and trade, An Empire of Print: The New York Publishing Trade in the Early American Republic traces the evolution of a major market economy. The book highlights the modern approaches used by preindustrial distributors to satisfy the growing national demand for printed texts. This volume offers vital insights into the political affiliations and economic interests that shaped the emergence of the United States publishing powerhouse.