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 Marseillaise: the celebrated hymn of liberty, with additional verses

by Mr. P. A. Fitzgerald, of the Walnut Street Theatre. Printed on gray paper. Title continues: To be sung at that establishment upon the occasion of Mr. Richings' benefit, Wednesday evening, December 10th, 1851, in honor of the arrival in this country of the patriot Louis Kossuth. Three eight-line stanzas with four-line chorus beginning: To arms! to arms! ye brave; without music. Song celebrates Hungarian revolt, stating, "Brave Kossuth treads Columbia's shore." In lower margin: Brown Pr., Ledger Building. Place of publication determined from internal evidence.

The market man gave her the neatest of books

Broadsheet printed in colors on heavy white paper. On recto colored illustration of young woman making pastry in kitchen; on verso cut in green of woman preparing food. Title from first line. Advertising card for Cottolene, a mixture of cottonseed oil and beef suet used in cooking. On recto four-line poem about Cottolene; on verso, headed: How to use Cottolene, information about product. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence, especially the woman's clothing.

The Mariner's hymn: or, Sailing spiritualized

Printed in three columns; short type section separates poems. At end of text: Finis. Internal evidence (long s type setting, etc.) suggests late 18th early 19th century New England printing.

The maple

The maple

Brown University

At beginning of text: Dedicated to the Free Schools of Rhode Island. At end of text: George Shepard Burleigh, Little Compton.

The man with a soul

The man with a soul

Brown University

Printed on blue paper. Ornamental border at top and bottom. At head of text: In answer to "The man with the hoe"

The man who wins

The man who wins

Brown University

Printed in red and black on card stock within single-line red border. Poem in eight lines; part of longer poem. Author's name not on item. Brown University has copy of complete poem attributed to Charles R. Barrett and copyright 1928. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The man who joined the Masons

1 broadsheet. Broadsheet printed on card stock. On recto drawing of man and woman with dialogue balloons issuing from mouths with verses from poem on verso. On verso poem entitled The man who joined the Masons printed in two columns divided by single line. Advertises the Tower Hall Clothing Bazaar owned by Garitee, Masten and Allen.

The man of Macedonia

The man of Macedonia

Brown University

By the author of the "Old, old story." Within double-line border with ornamental corners. Poem in twelve four-line stanzas. At end of text: "Times of refreshing," London. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The man of Macedonia

The man of Macedonia

Brown University

By the author of the "Old, old story." Within double-line border with ornamental corners. Poem in twelve four-line stanzas. At end of text: "Times of refreshing," London. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The man of Galilee

The man of Galilee

Brown University

Tune: Arlington. When I can read my title clear. At end of text: Composed, published and sold by Jacob G. Landis, the blind author ..

The man in the glory

The man in the glory

Brown University

On yellow paper. On cover: Vinton, Iowa: T.O. Loizeaux, Bible Truth Depot. 1878. Page [1] with double lined border.

The man

The man

Brown University

Broadsheet printed on card stock. Advertising card with colored lithograph on recto showing couple in 18th century clothing and box of B.T. Babbitt's soap. On verso acrostic poem with initial letters spelling: B T Babbitts Soap. At end of poem: Address, B.T. Babbitt, New York City. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The Major's only son: and his true love's overthrow

Poetry. Printed area measures: 20.9 x 19.9 cm. 138 lines printed in three columns on yellow paper. Sectional type ornament between title and text. This edition not in Ford, Shaw & Shoemaker, etc.

The Major's only son

The Major's only son

Brown University

Poem of 140 lines. Printed area of this pieced together broadside measures: 24.6 x 11.7 cm. Local 19th century information provided imprint details.

The Major's only son

The Major's only son

Brown University

Poetry. Printed area measures: 25.1 x 13.4 cm. 140 lines printed in two columns divided by line of type ornaments; Sectional type ornament between title and text. Internal evidence and mention of "the late Pitt" on contemporary newspaper backing suggest possible time span for date of publication.

The Major's only son

The Major's only son

Brown University

Poetry. Printed area, excluding border, measures: 22.3 x 19.2 cm. 35 stanzas of 4 lines each printed in three columns divided by curvilinear line within ornamental leaf and grape vine border. At end of text: The subject of the following lines, who fell victim to the too fond dotage of parental affection was born in the state of Vermont ... Internal evidence supplied date approximation.

The Major's only son

The Major's only son

Brown University

Poetry. Printed area measures: 31.2 x 15.7 cm. 140 lines printed in two columns. Wood engraving of man at left of title. Internal evidence, e.g. type, continuation of long s into the 19th century, and unusual spacing, suggests Joseph White as printer. He printed in Boston, first in partnership, then alone from 1788 to 1809; in Charlestown, Mass., from 1810 to 1826. This edition not in Bristol, Evans, Ford, Shaw & Shoemaker, or Shoemaker.