Alcohol, Temperance & Prohibition

The digitized items in the Alcohol, Temperance and Prohibition Collection are from the Alcoholism and Addiction Studies Collection, as well as from various collections in the Brown University Library — broadsides, sheet music, pamphlets and government publications. The items have been collected at Brown for over three centuries for researchers and scholars at Brown and worldwide interested in American history, including the history of alcoholism, how the media was used for spreading ideas and information, and in how the arts presented various movements. The purpose of this digital collection is to give researchers and interested individuals a glimpse into the rich and diverse resources at Brown's library. All of the digital items are in the public domain. The digitized pamphlets were published by various groups leading up to prohibition, during the prohibition era, and ending with the 21st amendment in 1933, which repealed the 18th amendment from 1919 prohibiting the manufacturing, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors.
This collection is part of Brown University Library, hosted by Brown University.

Items in this collection

Poor Tom

Poor Tom

Brown University

by Thomas Ward, temperance advocate. Poetry. Printed in two columns divided by single line within border of type ornaments. First line: Poor Tom was a slave, on the brink of the grave.

Pocasset Section, No. 5

Pocasset Section, No. 5

Brown University

Broadsheet printed on heavy glossy white paper within different border of type ornament sections on each side. Includes on both sides text of temperance songs for meeting of Cadets of Temperance. Verso, headed: Cadets of Temperance, begins with untitled song with first line: I pledge to thee this hand of mine. Songs grouped under headings: Opening, Initiation, Installation, and Closing. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

Pictures in the glass

Pictures in the glass

Brown University

by Col. J.H. Bartlett. Poem. At head of text: Scene is laid in a barroom in the winter. First line: Come boys draw up around the fire this cold and blustering night.

Pay day

Pay day

Brown University

This group by A. Jacopine appeared recently in the Paris Salon. (Note on pamphlet) Includes statistics on alcohol and accidents, alcohol and the death rate, and alcohol and children.

Pat Murphy's dream

Pat Murphy's dream

Brown University

Poetry. Author's name not on item; name and imprint information from dealer. Suggested range of dates from internal evidence.