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

Rhyme for a reason

Rhyme for a reason

Brown University

Pages [2] and [4] blank. Cover title. Author's name not on item. Author's and publisher's names from press; suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

Rhode-Island johnny-cake fresh from the board

Poem in 10 stanzas. Text includes references to Jedidiah Morse's American gazetteer (1797), Nathanael Greene, Oliver Hazard Perry, Benjamin Bourne (1755-1808; U.S. congressman, 1790-96; district court judge, 1796-1801, etc.), and James Burrill, Jr. (1772-1820; U.S. senator, 1817-1820); there are no later references. Title and text within ornamental border, identical in design to the border used for the "Carriers' address, January 1, 1849" issued by the Providence daily journal.

Rhode Island johnny-cake, fresh from the board

Poem in 10 stanzas. At head of text: "When Joel Barton [i.e. Barlow], the celebrated American poet, was a minister at some foreign court ... he often made a stroll among the peasantry, and refreshed himself with a bowl of hasty pudding and milk, which he declared more luxuriant than the banquets of courts. He thought it no disparagement to eulogize in his poetic writings; and I, being a great lover of hot Johnny-Cake, thought I would in a ballad,--so here it is". The reference is to Joel Barlow's long poem "The hasty pudding", first published in 1796. Text includes references to Jedidiah Morse's American gazetteer (1797), Nathanael Greene, Oliver Hazard Perry, Benjamin Bourne (1755-1808; U.S. congressman, 1790-96; district court judge, 1796-1801, etc.), and James Burrill, Jr. (1772-1820; U.S. senator, 1817-1820); there are no later references. Brown University, John Hay Library copy has dated "1862" in pencil, possibly a contemporary inscription; accompanied by a card, with note in pencil: "Who wrote R.I. Johnny Cake. The original is signed 'Farmers Exchange' Glocester RI June 2 without the year--it is from an old newspaper probably, as early as 1815 there are many verbal changes." The text includes numerous variants from an earlier broadside printing (184-?) also in the John Hay Library, though it is the same in substance and in no way updated.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island

Brown University

At head of text: Dedicated to Alice Thompson Smith.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island

Brown University

1 broadsheet. Tune: Marching through Georgia.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island

Brown University

1 broadsheet. Tune: Marching through Georgia.

Reward of merit

Reward of merit

Brown University

Broadsheet printed in dark blue on recto and black on verso. On recto wood-engraving of boy taking book from shelf and small child playing with toy horse; four vignettes of playing children at corners. On recto printed vertically at each side: Reward of merit; at center: This is to certify that [blank] by diligence and attention merits my approbation. On verso poem in four four-line stanzas entitled: Blessing. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

Revolt of the ten tribes: 1 Kings 12:6-17

Printed in colors on recto, black on verso. Illustrations, on recto, include a yoke and a map of Israel and Judah. Sunday school lesson. Text of hymn on recto; on verso, lesson and quiz. In upper corners on recto: 1. July 5. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

Review

Review

Brown University

Printed in colors on recto, black on verso. Illustrations, on recto, include God's hand, a cross and a chain. Sunday school lesson. Text of hymn on recto; on verso, lesson and advice. In upper corners on recto: 13. Mar. 29. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

Review

Review

Brown University

Printed in colors on recto, black on verso. Illustrations, on recto, include a soldier in armor and a crown. Sunday school lesson. Text of hymn on recto; on verso, lesson and advice. In upper corners on recto: 13. June 28. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

Reveries of a bachelor

Reveries of a bachelor

Brown University

Advertisement for Sisson's Clothing Store, imitating Poe's The raven. Advertisement for Sisson's Clothing Store, imitating Poe's The raven. by Frederick. Printed in two columns divided by curvilinear line within decorative border. At head of text: Poicks, No. 2. At end of text: Fall River, Oct. 18th, 1856.

Revenue stamps

Revenue stamps

Brown University

At head of text: As sung with immense success by Budd Harris.

Revelation

Revelation

Brown University

Poem describes rescue of brother and sister from flood. Poem describes rescue of brother and sister from flood. Fourteen-line poem. At end of text: Dedicated to Nelson and Sara Carter of New England by William Kimberley Palmer. Chicopee, Massachusetts U.S.A. May 1936 A.D.

Reveille

Reveille

Brown University

At end of text: D.C.R.

Rev. Mr. Sambo's sarmont

Dialect sermon tells how Cain turned white after murdering his brother, originating the white race. Dialect sermon tells how Cain turned white after murdering his brother, originating the white race. Printed in two columns divided by double line. At head of title wood-engraving of three black men, one in uniform holding broom and sword. At head of text: "Strate is de rode and narrer is de paff which leadef to glory." Contains four lines of poetry beginning: Adam was de fuss man. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

Rev. Edward A. Renouf, 1818--November 15--1888

Pages [2] and [4] blank. Cover title: Poem / by Rev. Caleb D. Bradlee. Poem in five four-line stanzas. Suggested place of publication because Bradlee was a minister at a Boston church.