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The History List

"1773" Boston Tea Party shirt - For hardcore history folks

"1773" Boston Tea Party shirt - For hardcore history folks

Regular price $ 28.95
Regular price Sale price $ 28.95
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"Conversation Starter — Impressed with the service and fast shipping. The t-shirts are soft, fit well and true to size. The unexpected value is the conversations started when I wear them out to a bar or event. Those that already have historical insights and those that ask what the shirts reference. Being able to keep names like Crispus Attucks and Samuel Gray alive."

— Philip F. ★★★★★


If you know the event this design refers to, then you understand why I wrote "for hardcore history folks." If you're not sure what this is all about, you'll find an explanation below.

The shirt: Your choice of fabrics and colors:
  • Made in the USA shirt in Heather grey. 90% cotton / 10% poly. Cotton grown, and shirts knitted, dyed, and sewn in the USA. 4.4 oz. S - 3XL. See size chart.

  • Our standard 4.3 oz. Poly-Cotton shirt that gets rave reviews. Our softest shirt. It's also our thinnest and lightest. It is very high-quality and long-wearing, but it is thin and light. Lots of people love them, which you can see in the reviews, but if you judge t-shirt quality based on weight or thickness, do not get this one. Instead, get one of the two 100% cotton shirts above. In Sage. If you're looking for our softest shirt, the one people rave about, this is the one. S - 3X. See size chart.

  • 100% American grown cotton 5.5 oz shirt in Slate blue. If you judge t-shirt quality based on weight, get this one. It's our softest 100% cotton shirt. Garment-dyed. Because the color is dark, there is less contrast between the shirt and imprint, so if you're looking for something subtle, this is your best choice. S- 3X. If you want the design to be prominent and easy for everyone to see, do not get this shirt. See size chart.

  • 100% cotton Made in the USA shirt in Grey. Grown, knitted, dyed, and sewn in the USA. 5.4 oz Your best choice if you're looking for a 100% Made in the USA shirt.  S- 4X. See size chart.

    Note: We suggest ordering one size larger than you normally wear. (This shirt runs small.)

Still not sure? Watch this video.

Note that the $3 price difference for the 100% cotton Made in the USA shirt is our higher wholesale cost; there is no additional margin.

Comes with a hang tag that includes a quote from one of the participants and more background on the event.

The "1773" Boston Tea Party design is also available in a women's v-neck in warm grey, crewneck sweatshirt in brown, leather patch capembroidered cap, as a handmade braceletvinyl decal, and sticker.

 



Thanks to Chuck Burks, Nicole René Shults, Dennis Conley, Janet Raychouni, and Kevin Nelson for their contributions.

As Larisa Moran Prinz commented, "Be a rebel and stump the average person." 

History behind the design

"The Tea Act of 1773 gave the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in America.

On the evening of December 16th, 1773, Bostonians, following the lead of the Sons of Liberty and disguised as Narragansett or Mohawk Indians (sources disagree), boarded three ships and destroyed 342 chests of East India Company tea, which they dumped in the harbor.

The destruction of the tea was the final straw for Parliament and led to the Intolerable Acts of 1774. These closed the port of Boston, instituted a military government, quartered troops among the population, and allowed all British officials charged with a crime to stand trial in Great Britain instead of the Colonies.

Many years later George Hewes, a 31–year–old shoemaker and participant, recalled "We then were ordered by our commander to open the hatches and take out all the chests of tea and throw them overboard. And we immediately proceeded to execute his orders, first cutting and splitting the chests with our tomahawks, so as thoroughly to expose them to the effects of the water."

Shipping

Key dates for the 2024 holiday shopping season

For our regular merchandise. Does not include personalized items, signed books, or Rare Finds. See below for more information on these.
  • December 13 at 2 pm Eastern: Our recommended deadline for domestic Christmas delivery via USPS. While we can't guarantee delivery, regardless of carrier, our hope is that if you order by December 13, USPS will have be able to get orders to domestic addresses by Christmas. This date is more conservative than the date published by USPS. We want to be sure that everyone gets their gift in time.

  • December 19 at 2 pm Eastern: Orders for in-stock items (excluding Rare Finds) received by 2 pm Eastern Monday through Friday will ship the same day if you specify UPS 3 Day Select delivery.

  • December 23 at noon: The last day to ship orders before Christmas. If you want to have something shipped overnight, call Lee Wright at 469-233-7712 by noon Eastern to find out whether that's possible and the shipping charge.  

For  personalized items, signed books, or Rare Finds purchased after December 13

  • If you purchase a Rare Find item after December 13 and want it delivered by Christmas, contact Lee Wright as soon as you make your purchase to see what the options are.

 


For shipments to addresses within the U.S. (scroll down for International shipping) 

Flat-rate shipping: Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, and button packs is $5.95.

For hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets, the shipping cost is $8.95. 

Our flat rate shipping means you can add two or more t-shirts, sweatshirts, or caps for no additional shipping charge.

Note that some large or heavy items, including larger framed prints, may have a different shipping charge or a shipping surcharge. When they do, it will be noted on the product page.

 

Timing

We try to ship orders within three business days of receiving them. This applies to in-stock items. Framed items or items requiring personalization may take up to two weeks longer. If there is an extended delay, it will be noted on the product page.

We close for a week over Independence Day and Christmas. A notice will appear at the top of every page of the site in advance of this closure.

We ship most orders via USPS, so if the post office is closed, we won't be shipping orders that day.

If you need to receive your order by a certain date, such as to give as a gift or have for a trip, we recommend ordering at least two weeks in advance, especially if you are using USPS shipping. 

If you're looking for reliable, on-time deliveries, we strongly suggest upgrading to "UPS 3 Business Day Select Shipping."

Additional notes:

  • When fulfillment takes longer, such as around the Christmas holidays, we'll put up an announcement in the site and will list recommended shipping deadlines below.
  • If an item is out of stock, we will contact you.
  • If one of your items is an advance order, that will be noted on the product page along with an estimate of when it will ship. If that estimated date changes, the product page will be updated.

    Charges for shipping to destinations in the United States and to APO, DPO, and FPO addresses

    • Free shipping
      • On stickers, magnets, decals, patches, static clings, and individual button pins.

    • US Postal Service shipping - The least expensive, though also less reliable than UPS. (See more on UPS in the next section.) 

      • $5.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.

        Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price is still fixed at $5.95. Our flat rate shipping means you can add another t-shirt, cap, or book for no additional shipping charge.

      • $8.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

    We strongly recommend using UPS, especially in November and December.

      UPS 3 Business Day Select 

      Note: UPS 3 Business Day select is not available for addresses in Hawaii and Alaska. If UPS is selected for Hawaii or Alaska, the order will be shipped UPS Ground.

      Cut off time: Orders received by 8 am Eastern will ship the same business day.  Orders received after that time will ship the next business day. Applies to in-stock items that do not require personalization or signing. 
        UPS's normal (non-holiday) delivery guarantee is by the end of the third business day, and this includes delivery on Saturday.  This applies to the 48 contiguous states. 
          • $14.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.

          • $18.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

          • If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

        • UPS Overnight (Next Business Day Delivery)
        Before placing your order, call 469-233-7712.

        For shipments to addresses outside the United States

        Destinations

        We only ship to locations that are served by US Postal Service International Service.

        Charges

        • Canada and Mexico

          • Rate starts at $40.00 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs, hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.
        • Rest of the World

          • Rates starts at $65.00.

        Additional charges for all destinations

        Some large, heavy items may have an additional shipping charge.  If that's the case, it will be noted on the product page.

        If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

          All original designs are copyrighted by The History List

          All designs are copyrighted by The History List and the History Nerd text and design on t-shirts is a registered trademark. If you see a knock off, please let me know.

          Mission

          Your purchases support our mission to engage people with local history and to support historic sites and history organizations across the country.

          View full details

          Customer Reviews

          Based on 115 reviews
          98%
          (113)
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          R
          Robert P.F.
          Conversation Starter

          Impressed with the service and fast shipping. The tshirts are soft, fit well and true to size. The unexpected value is the conversations started when I wear them out to a bar or event. Those that already have historical insights and those that ask what the shirts reference. Being able to keep names like Crispus Attucks and Samuel Gray alive.

          J
          James L.
          Love the history and the shirt

          I was looking for the 1873 Boston Tea Party crossed axes shirt from the Sons of Liberty after I saw someone else wearing it, once I found it on The History List I’m sold. Great fit, quality a price and there’s a great variety of merch for history aficionados of all eras! Enjoy the site a lot!

          N
          Nathan F.
          Love it.

          I have two, the gray and green. A total conversation starter.

          J
          James C.
          Eminently, patriotically pleased!

          Here, twenty-first century creativity meets the historical record, and this classy shirt subtly proclaims, "God bless America!" Thank you for your prompt and accurate provision of a truly fine product!

          A
          Anthony S.j.
          Get looking shirt.

          Shirt looks and feels great.

          R
          Rich B.
          Pleasantly Surprised

          I am a new customer and was pleasantly surprised by the options, quality, and fast shipping offered by The History List. I love both of my new t-shirts, and it is easy to recommend THL.

          T
          Todd C.
          Great quality, super cool shirt

          I love everything about the shirt. Super high quality, the Tea Party date with crossed tomahawks is really cool. Highly recommended.

          R
          ROBERT M.
          "1773" Boston Tea Party shirt

          I always worry buying a tshirt from different companies, am I going to get a Haines tshirt, something thick and clunky? Not so here, the shirt is soft as a baby's bottom, it fits perfectly, snug where it should be and loose where it should. This is a fantastic high quality product!