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 flag

The flag

Brown University

Within double line border.

The flag

The flag

Brown University

1 broadsheet. At head of text: Dedicated to the 81st Field Artillery.

The five dollar note

The five dollar note

Brown University

Describes spending borrowed five-dollar note on liquor and girls, with the last dollar given to a poor man. Describes spending borrowed five-dollar note on liquor and girls, with the last dollar given to a poor man. Title on page [1] within single-line border superimposed on illustration of man holding large banknote; signed Spedon[?] On pages [2]-[3] printed vertically to be read unfolded words of song in 5 4-line stanzas with 6-line chorus beginning: If you listen to my song, while the funny things I'll quote. In upper right corner of page [1]: P. Lorillard & Co's song album. Advertisement for "Lorillard's Mechanics' Delight tobacco" on page [4] within double-line border; it begins: Lorillard's Mechanics' Delight tobacco is the best chew and smoke. At head of text of song: Sung by Frank Lewis. Suggested range of dates from internal evidence.

The first fan

The first fan

Brown University

Caption title. At head of text: Read at a meeting of the Boston Bric-a-Brac Club, February 21, 1877. On page [1]:Reprinted from The Atlantic monthly for June, 1877. Actually printed before the Atlantic. cf. Currier, p. 160; Wilson, II, 584.

The first Easter

The first Easter

Brown University

Broadsheet with arched top folded like a triptych. Printed in gold on heavy white paper. On left flap illustration of lamb, on right flap menorah; on inner side of flaps two sepia illustrations pasted on, one of the angel and women at the tomb of Jesus, the other of Jesus appearing to two women. Poem in seven four-line stanzas. Type-signed at end: M. G. G.

The First Brigade

The First Brigade

Brown University

Air: Joe Bowers. Within ornamental border. At head of text: By T.J. Manchester, 57th Regiment Illinois Volunteers.

The fireman's boy

The fireman's boy

Brown University

Printed in two columns divided by curvilinear line. To be sung to the tune: The American boy. Text of song in 22 four-line stanzas. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The firelight shedding over all

At upper left at head of title illustration of room captioned: The public parlor, the Wayside Inn. The subject of Longfellow's "Tales of a wayside inn," near Sudbury, Mass. Title from first line of nine line passage of poetry. At end of text: Excerpts from "Tales of a wayside inn"--Longfellow.

The fine Kentucky gentleman

Printed in two columns divided by curvilinear line within curvilinear border with corner ornaments. At head of title cut of American eagle under starry sky. Account of "now retired" Kentucky Senator to whom the people may offer their "highest gift" appears to refer to Henry Clay between his retirement from the Senate in 1842 and his death in 1852.

The field of Monterey

The field of Monterey

Brown University

Within border of type ornaments, printed in two columns divided by curvilinear line; tailpiece at end of text. At head of title: Price two cents. At head of text woodcut of white couple and child standing before tent watching departing Indians, with caption: "The sweet church bells are pealing out." Text of song in four eight-line stanzas with three-line chorus beginning: On the field of Monterey. Author's name not on item. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The field of Monterey

The field of Monterey

Brown University

Within border of type ornaments, printed in two columns divided by curvilinear line; tailpiece at end of text. At head of title: Price two cents. At head of text woodcut of white couple and child standing before tent watching departing Indians, with caption: "The sweet church bells are pealing out." Text of song in four eight-line stanzas with three-line chorus beginning: On the field of Monterey. Author's name not on item. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The female soldier: and the very excellent song called The Hornet and Peacock

Poetry. Printed in two columns divided by line of type ornaments. At end of second column below line of type ornaments: Printed and sold at No. 25, High Street, Providence, where are kep [i.e. kept] for sale 100 other different kinds of songs. Henry Trumbull's establishment is listed in the Providence directory at this address from 1824 to 1836.