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

A word from Canada

A word from Canada

Brown University

Pages [1,4] blank. Pages [2,3] printed in two columns each within ornamental border. Reprinted from The Canadian Magazine.

A word at Christmas

A word at Christmas

Brown University

from Barbara and Raymond Holden. Broadsheet, folded to show narrow panel as overleaf bearing title in red. At end of text: From What So Proudly We Hailed.

A word at Christmas

A word at Christmas

Brown University

from Barbara and Raymond Holden. Broadsheet, folded to show narrow panel as overleaf bearing title in red. At end of text: From What So Proudly We Hailed.

A word about our heroes at home and abroad

Printed on green paper in two columns within border of type ornaments. At upper left: cut of American flag. At head of text: By Charlie Robertson [corrected in ink to Robinson], No. 3 Clay Street, Waco, Texas. Copyright applied for. Date from stamp on verso.

A wonderous change

A wonderous change

Brown University

On p. [3]-[4] poem: "Victory" by Bridget. On p. [5]-[8] essay: "Rescued and redeemed" by Susie Keeler Reardon.

A woman's prayer

A woman's prayer

Brown University

Printed on yellow silk ribbon. At head of text: From The Ladies' Home Journal, by permission. Poem in four five-line stanzas. Type-signed at end: Anna B. Badlam. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

A woman's "If"

A woman's "If"

Brown University

Within border of type ornaments. At head of text: With apologies to Rudyard Kipling.

A woman's "If"

A woman's "If"

Brown University

Within border of type ornaments. At head of text: With apologies to Rudyard Kipling.

A wish to a friend

A wish to a friend

Brown University

Double line border at head and end of text. First line: I wish you a neat little mansion, on a nice little farm.

A winter pageant

A winter pageant

Brown University

by Annie Elizabeth Scurlock. Processed copy. Printed in purple on white paper. Statement at head of title continues: By the editor of "The march of rhymes"--Annie Elizabeth Scurlock--1517 West 9th, Texarkana, Tex. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from me and mine. Poetry. Suggested publication date from acquisition date of Brown University copy.

A willing suspension

A willing suspension

Brown University

Title and note in red. "Seasons's greetings, 1960. John, Doris, Johnny, Evan and Margaret Holmes."

A whimsical sermon

A whimsical sermon

Brown University

Printed in one and two columns divided by curvilinear line. Prose account of sermon supposed to have been preached by the Rev. Dr. Dodd followed below double rule by poem in three four-line stanzas beginning: The drunkard who takes the full bowl. At end of text: By William Hollis, Sen'r, Dayton, Ohio. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

A Whig lamentation, or, The lost Coons of Attleborough

Within ornamental border. Poetry and prose. At top vignette of eagle standing over shield holding scroll inscribed: E pluribus unum. At head of text prose account of Democratic victory in Attleborough. At end of text: An Old Coon Hunter. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence and reference to suffrage crisis in Rhode Island.

A way

A way

Brown University

Printed in black and green on heavy rust-colored paper; decorative headpiece and tailpiece and vignette of pine branch below title in green; initial block. Poem in one stanza of six lines and one of four. Type-signed at end: John Oxenham. On verso: Poetry wall-card for 1935 with compliments of Driftwind and The Driftwind Press, North Montpelier, Vermont.

A way

A way

Brown University

Printed in black and green on heavy rust-colored paper; decorative headpiece and tailpiece and vignette of pine branch below title in green; initial block. Poem in one stanza of six lines and one of four. Type-signed at end: John Oxenham. On verso: Poetry wall-card for 1935 with compliments of Driftwind and The Driftwind Press, North Montpelier, Vermont.

A warning

A warning

Brown University

At head of title colored illustration of woman's head with padlocked mouth ticketed: By order of the Anti-Gossip Committee. Comic valentine. Poem in four lines. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

A war hymn for the people

Tune: Ellers. At head of text: Written for the Thanksgiving Day service attended by President and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson ..

A wandering man

A wandering man

Brown University

At head of text: Composed by W.M. Smith the Blind Man. Poem in eight four-line stanzas. At end of text: Please buy a card at your own price ... Suggested publication date from ms. notation on Brown University copy.

A wail comes o'er the breeze

Title from first line of poem. Within border of various type ornaments. At head of text: On the loss of Hugh McKinnon, second mate of the ship Pericles, on the banks of Newfoundland, on the 2d of July, 1867, whilst on the homeward passage from Montreal. At end of text within lower border: J. Ross. Poem in 19 four-line stanzas.

A visit from St. Nicholas

Broadsheet folded to create [6] panels; printed on recto only. Printed in colors on heavy white paper within curvilinear border with ornamental corners. Colored illustrations throughout. Type-signed at end of text: Clement Clarke Moore. Suggested publication date from internal evidence.

A visit from St. Nicholas

Pages [1] and [4] blank; to be read unfolded. Printed in red and black on heavy ivory paper within ornamental ribbon border at sides. Illustrations throughout text. Typesigned at end: Clement Clarke Moore. In lower right corner: Gertrude and John Lynch. Suggested place and date of publication from postmark on Brown University copy.