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.

This collection is part of:

Items in this collection

The modern Cain and Abel: The story of the terrible Sawtell tragedy told in verse

Story of the murder of Hiram Sawtell by his brother Isaac Sawtell. Story of the murder of Hiram Sawtell by his brother Isaac Sawtell. Poetry in thirteen four-line stanzas printed in two and one columns. Portrait cut between title and text captioned: [Hiram Sawtell, murdered at Rochester, N.H., February 5, 1890, and whose mutilated body was buried in a lonely grave in the woods in Berwick, Me.]

The minstrel's return from the war, and Distress'd maid

Printed in two columns divided by heavy curvilinear line. Cut of lady at spinet centered within title. At end of text below single line: Printed and sold wholesale and retail, by Christian Brown, 211 Water-street, New-York. Christian Brown was listed at above address from 1825-1829. Minstrel's return from the war attributed to John Hill Hewitt.

The minister's daughter

The minister's daughter

Brown University

John G. Whittier. Broadsheet. Printed on pink paper within single line border with corner ornaments; verso printed upside down in relation to recto. Printed in one and two columns divided by single line. On verso doctrinal discussion headed: True and righteous are thy ways, Lord God Almighty, with four-stanza poem by Cowper beginning: Judge not the Lord by feeble sense. "Supplement to "Zion's Watch Tower," August, 1882. 101 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa."

The miners' lamentations

Poetry and prose. Printed in three columns divided by single lines on blue paper; ruled on verso. Below title cut of miners' cabin with miner washing clothes and another miner resting; cabin inscribed: Lucky miners house but no wife. At head of text: Published by H.R. Stiles, Nevada Book Store. At end of text: Copy right secured. Nevada Democrat--Print. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The miners' lamentations

Poetry and prose. Printed in three columns divided by curvilinear lines on gray paper. Below title cut of miners' cabin with miner washing clothes and another miner resting; cabin inscribed: Lucky miners house but no wife. At head of text: Published by H.R. Stiles, Nevada Book Store. At end of text: Franklin Presses, 186 Montgomery St., S. Fran. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The mind in a weary body

Pages [2-4] blank. Printed in purple. At head of text: In memory of the last days of my aged mother - beloved by me ..

The mill has shut down

The mill has shut down

Brown University

Song predicts famine after mill closure. Song predicts famine after mill closure. Text of song in three eight-line stanzas, with last line in each stanza: With the mill shut down they'd better be dead! At head of text: By sending Saint Clair Smith, 321 N. Fourth Street, Philadelphia, 15 cents in postage stamps, he will send you by return of mail "Yours Truly Songster" .... At end of text below rule: St. Clair Smith, Song Publisher. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence. Not in Wolf, Amer. song sheets.

The milkmaid's marriage song

Text of song in three ten-line stanzas with three-line chorus beginning: Tra la, tra la, tra la la, tra la, tra la, tra la. Author's name not on item. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The milkmaid

The milkmaid

Brown University

Printed in colors and gold on heavy white paper within embossed gold border. At head of title colored illustration of girl milking cow. Poem in three six-line stanzas. At end of text: Prov. xii.11; xiii.4; xiv.23; 1 Thess. iv.11; 2 Thess. iii.10. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The mighty inventive genius of man

Advertising card printed in black on heavy white paper. At head of title illustration of treadle-operated sewing machine within ornamental border. Title from first line of eight-line poem praising Aetna sewing machines. At end of text: N.W. Lawton, travelling agent, Elmdale, North Scituate, R.I. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The midnightmouse

The midnightmouse

Brown University

Page [2] of flyer from press advertising Gallowsongs by C. Morgenstern. Illustrations and versions by Jess [Collins]

The midnight ride

The midnight ride

Brown University

Dr. J.C. Gallison. Title on page [1] within ornamental border. On page [4]: Massachusetts House Representatives, June, 1896.

The midnight ride

The midnight ride

Brown University

Dr. J.C. Gallison. Title on page [1] within ornamental border. On page [4]: Massachusetts House Representatives, June, 1896.