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 harp of Memmon

The harp of Memmon

Brown University

Within ornamental border. At head of text: To Miss Elizabeth M. Badger. At end of text: B.

The happy pair

The happy pair

Brown University

Printed in two columns divided by line of poetry: In Midnight silence round my bed, I took these verses from my head. At head of text: Two faithful hearts in union join'd [woodcut of two hearts] Are better than pure gold refin'd. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The happy man: and, the true gentleman

Printed in two columns with cut of genre scene at left of title. Eash piece has prose introduction and verse conclusion. Imprint date suggested by internal evidence. This version not in Evans, Shipton/Mooney, Bristol, Ford.

The Happy man

The Happy man

Brown University

Poetry and prose. Printed area: 27.6 x 21.7 cm. Printed in one, two and three columns divided where necessary by double lines and line of type ornaments; within border of three kinds of type ornament. Type ornaments similar to nos. 497, 498 and 642 in Dictionary of colonial American printers' ornaments by E.C. Reilly, all used in several cities before 1800. Date from general appearance and type face. Allegorical characterization of the happy man and his "brother" the true gentleman, each followed by four six-line stanzas possibly from the same hymn; the prose is found in 18th-century broadsides from Salem, New York and Danbury, Conn. This edition not in Evans, Bristol, or Shaw & Shoemaker; also not in Ford, W. C. Broadsides. In third column, a poem in four four-line stanzas. At end of text: Price 4 cents. First line: The Happy Man was born in the city of Regeneration, and Repentance unto Life. He was educated in the school of. First line of first poem: My race is run. First line of second poem: Then see him rise. First line of third poem: The glorious wish'd for day is come.

The happy contraband!

The happy contraband!

Brown University

As sung by Frank Wood, the great Ethiopian comedian and song and dance man. Within double line border with corner ornaments.

The happy child: being a narrative of the holy life and peaceable death of a remarkable pious child of Hertfordshire-...

Poetry. Printed in three columns. Printed area measures: 23.8 x 18.3 cm. Wood-engraving of tree at left and fruit basket at right of title; tree cut also used in Coverly's broadside Children in the wood (cf. Brown Univ. copy HB14427/MA), basket in his Exiles of Eden (cf. Brown Univ. copy HB16855/MA) At end of last column below sectional type ornament: Printed and sold by Nathaniel Coverly, Corner of Theatre Alley--Boston. Boston directories first list N. Coverly, Jr. at this address in 1810. First line: You parents that have children dear.

The happy child

The happy child

Brown University

Poem in 45 four-line stanzas, ending with a two-line stanza. Printed in three columns. Date suggested by internal evidence and backing (1799 Exeter newspaper)

The halls of ivy: a play in one scene

Playlet satirizes graduate students and college administration. Playlet satirizes graduate students and college administration. William Goldhurst. Photocopy of pages 274-277 of February 1957 issue of College English; The halls of ivy begins towards the bottom of page 274 and ends towards the bottom of page 276. Printed in two columns.

The Hague hymn

The Hague hymn

Brown University

Tune: Webb. At head of text: Dedicated to the members of the Hague Conference by the farmer-boy poet ..

The guide to heaven, and the way to happiness here

Printed in pink and blue in two columns divided by single line between two dotted lines within border of type ornament sections. Poem in 26 four-line stanzas, each preceded by letter of alphabet. At end of text: Copyright secured by Thomas Kenyon. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The guardsman's toast

The guardsman's toast

Brown University

by Chester B. Bahn, A.C. 4, N.Y. Div. Poem on pages [2] and [3] intended to be read unfolded. Intended to be sealed and mailed as a postcard with address and stamp on page [1] Page [4] headed: To-day's news. Poem in 21 four-line stanzas about members of National Guard sent to the Mexican border; complains of hardships and lack of appreciation. At end of text: Published by Herbert C. Meyer, 4 A.C. N.Y. Div. Copyright 1916, by Chester B. Bahn.

The guardians of the peace

by Frank E. Hipple. Printed in two columns on glossy paper pasted on gilt-bordered card stock. Poem in four twelve-line stanzas.

The guardeen

The guardeen

Brown University

Page [4] blank; tipped in cover bearing legend: Season's greetings for the year 1943 from Earle J. Bernheimer. Page [1]: The pages, here reproduced from the original manuscript of the first draft of an unpublished play by Robert Frost ...

The grocer's poem

The grocer's poem

Brown University

by F.E. Robie. Broadsheet advertising card printed on heavy white paper. On recto poem listing grocer's stock. On verso, headed: Francis E. Robie dealer in choice family groceries and provisions, advertisement for grocery store in Somerville. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The Grey mare

The Grey mare

Brown University

The grey mare, also published as Tid the gray mare; the Gray mare, or Johnny, the miller, and beautiful Kate; Young Johny, the miller, etc. This version of the "Gray mare" has 6 stanzas and is identical to the version HB19564 in Brown University Broadsides Collection. "Tid" becomes "Sted" in this version. Printed area measures 18.3 x 8.3 cm. Not in Shoemaker or Checklist Amer. imprints.

The Grenadier's House

The Grenadier's House

Brown University

Printed in blue. On page [1] map showing location of restaurant The Grenadier's House in Norwell, Mass.; menu on pages [2]-[3]; poem on page [4] Author's name not on item. Author's name from donor of Brown University copy. At end of poem: This interesting poem was found on the front door-step of "The Grenadier"--April 26, 1933.

The greatest calamity ever seen on earth

By William Withington. Poetry. Printed in three columns divided by single lines. Above title cuts of American flag, American eagle and mounted man with legend "News" issuing from trumpet. Printed area: 26.6 x 19.9 cm. At head of text between double rules: The author would take this method to thank his friends for their liberal patronage to the first edition of this poem, and hopes to have a small share for the second edition, which contains an additional poem. Place of publication suggested because of mention of need for reform in Portland. Imprint date suggested by internal evidence.

The great physician

The great physician

Brown University

Lura G. Powell. Printed in red. Suggested ranges of publication dates from internal evidence.

The great physician

The great physician

Brown University

Lura G. Powell. Printed in red. Suggested ranges of publication dates from internal evidence.

The great Judgment morning

At head of text vignette of open book. Text of song in six numbered four-line stanzas with four-line chorus beginning: Oh, what weeping and wailing. At end of text: Sung by Rev. P.H. Gunn, address, Ashland, Va., Rt. 3, Box 91. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The great jubilee of 1851

Pages [1, 4] blank. Printed on letter quality light blue paper; blind stamp depicting steam -ship with caption "Cunard" in right lower corner.