Harris Broadsides

Broadsides are single-sheet publications, often issued as ephemera or announcements. The Harris Broadsides Collection is a comprehensive collection of American poetry published in broadside format from colonial times to the present. The collection offers materials covering a broad spectrum of American life, and includes poetry of every description: 18th and 19th century ballads, verse describing newsworthy events, poetic effusions of sentimentality and patriotism, comic verse, and much more. When completed, this digital project will include over 20,000 titles.
This collection is part of Brown University Library, hosted by Brown University.

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Items in this collection

The oil merchant

The oil merchant

Brown University

Humorous song about striking oil in Pennsylvania. Humorous song about striking oil in Pennsylvania. By John C. Cross. Within border of type ornament sections. To be sung to the tune: Happy land of Canaan. Text of song in five four-line stanzas with four-line chorus beginning: Oh! oh! oh! I am bound to go. At end of text below rule: Published by Mitchell & Hawkins, Providence, R.I. Entered under title rather than author. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence. This edition not in Wolf.

The Official Printing Press

1 broadsheet. Printed in red and black on orange paper. Within ornamental red border, bearing legend. Contains advertising. In upper border: Highest Award International Exh. '76.

The officer who paid for his commission

At head of title hand-colored wood-engraving of officer hiding behind tree while soldiers charge. Four-line poem. A similar poem at Brown University entitled Soldier (HB37951) was published by the N.Y. Union Valentine Co.

The ocean burial

The ocean burial

Brown University

Within border of type ornaments. Poem in six eight-line stanzas. In lower margin below border: R.R. Treadway, Printer, Warren. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The oath

The oath

Brown University

Within single line border.

The notorious not burglar, William M'Coy is in town: look out for him!

Printed in three columns divided by single lines within border of type ornament sections. Below title wood-engraving of bearded man holding cards of buttons, signed: N. Orr sc. and captioned: Likeness of William M'Coy. Includes poem in six four-line stanzas beginning: I have the red--I have the blue. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The Norway spruce

The Norway spruce

Brown University

Stephen Sandy. Illustration of trees on page [4] Cover title. "A free broadside."

The Norway spruce

The Norway spruce

Brown University

Stephen Sandy. Illustration of trees on page [4] Cover title. "A free broadside."

The non-alternative nightmare

Broadsheet Poem printed over entire recto; title and colophon on verso. Cover title Deep yellow paper printed in black

The non-alternative nightmare

Broadsheet Poem printed over entire recto; title and colophon on verso. Cover title Deep yellow paper printed in black

The Nineteen Fifteen fair

Page [4] blank. Cover title. Text of song in three eight-line stanzas with eight-line chorus beginning: We'll meet at the Exposition.

The Nightingale in the east

Poetry; at head of title cut of two women in furnished room. Poem in four eight-line stanzas using present tense about Miss Nightingale in the Crimea.

The nightingale

The nightingale

Brown University

Poem advertises the Hockett Studio's pictures and frames. Poem advertises the Hockett Studio's pictures and frames. Within single-line border. At head of text: Copyrighted by S.A. Hockett. Poem in five four-line stanzas. At end of text: The Hockett Studio, Fairmount, Indiana. Publication date from Library of Congress stamp on Brown University copy.

The night has a thousand eyes

by Francis William Bourdillon. Broadsheet printed in red, black and gold on heavy gray paper within red and gold border on recto; rubricated initials. At head of title illustration of trees. On recto poem in two four-line stanzas. On verso advertisements for the Sparrell Print, beginning: The price-hunter is like the duck-hunter. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The night after Christmas

Parody of the night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore. Parody of the night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore. Caption title. Poetry in six numbered eight-line stanzas printed in two columns. Illustrations between caption title and poem and throughout text. Date and place of publication supplied through internal information.

The New York Times grace before meat

John H. Finley. Broadsheet printed in green and black on heavy ivory paper within green border resembling the edges of an open book on recto. At left of text on recto cut of New York street scene; on verso within green single-line border cuts of building and of building facade captioned: The New York Times annex, New York.

The New York Times grace before meat

John H. Finley. Broadsheet printed on heavy tan paper within border of type ornaments on both sides. Poem in two four-line stanzas and one two-line stanza on recto. On verso reproduction of photograph of fireplace captioned: Fireplace in private dining room of The New York Times. In lower left corner on recto: March 12, 1924.