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various groups leading up to prohibition, during the prohibition era, and ending with the 21st amendment in 1933, which repealed the 18th amendment from 1919 prohibiting the manufacturing, sale or transportation of intoxicating liquors.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

A warning rattle!

A warning rattle!

Brown University

By the "Snake." To "M. Call," Head Liar to His Satanic Majesty, these lines are dedicated by the author. Printed in three columns. At end of text: Damariscotta, Oct. 8, 1860. Broadside attributed to the pseudonym, "Snake"

A voter's soliloquy

A voter's soliloquy

Brown University

Broadsheet. On recto: A voter's soliloquy; on verso: High license a failure. Suggested publication date from internal evidence; table on verso has "6 mos. of present year" after "Year ending May 1, 1888." Text on recto type-signed at end: W.T.P.A., Chicago. Urges vote for Prohibition and attacks "high license system."

A voice from the police stations in Boston

A voice from the police stations in Boston

Brown University

Calls for establishment of "Samaritan Station House" to combat drunkenness in Boston Calls for establishment of "Samaritan Station House" to combat drunkenness in Boston Printed in one and two columns divided by curvilinear line. Poetry and prose. At end of text below curvilinear line: W. & E. Howe, Printers, 39 Merchants Row, Boston. Publication date suggested because of inclusion of arrest statistics from Boston police report for year ending Dec. 31, 1863.

A third party needed

A third party needed

Brown University

Calls for Prohibition Party to replace the "dead" Republican Party in 1886 and win the presidential election in 1892 Calls for Prohibition Party to replace the "dead" Republican Party in 1886 and win the presidential election in 1892 By Horace Waters. Caption title.

A temperance bowling alley: for the Maine law

A temperance bowling alley: for the Maine law

Brown University

By Withington. Within ornamental border, printed in two columns divided by single line. Poem in six eight-line stanzas. Suggested publication date from internal evidence.

A stainless flag

A stainless flag

Brown University

by Ervin S. Chapman. Cover title. "This address was first delivered at a conference of 250 pastors of Southern California, held in the First M.E. Church of Los Angeles, California, June 11, 1906."

A snow-storm

A snow-storm

Brown University

By Geo. W. Bungay. At head of title cut of girl in snow in front of house. Caption title. At upper right corner of page [1]: No. 11. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

A sketch

A sketch

Brown University

Printed in two columns divided by single line. At head of title cut of tavern with man behind counter, three male customers and bare-legged boy; label in pillar: Bar Room. At end of text: J.N. Bang, printer, 30 Cornhill Boston.