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 parody on the lament of the Irish emigrant

Within border of type ornaments. At head of text: Composed by Elder J. Adams, while traveling on Martha's Vineyard, from North Shore to Edgartown and sent to Sarah Adams, his wife, at New Haven, Conn., Feb. 16, 1846.

A parody on The lament of the Irish emigrant

composed by Elder J. Adams. Within border of type ornament sections. Printed area measures: 19.9 x 11.9 cm. At head of text: While travelling on Martha's Vineyard, from North Shore to Edgartown, and sent to Sarah Adams, his wife, at New Haven, Conn., Feb. 16, 1846. Poem in five four-line sections. Printed on single sheet with The lament of the Irish emigrant, each in own border; possibly intended to be separated.

A paradoxical memoir on the Raymond Hotel

At head of title: Extract from Pasadena Star, May 13, 1887. At head of text: By a guest and respectfully dedicated to Walter Raymond .. At end of text: South Pasadena, Cal., April 30, 1887.

A night thought

A night thought

Brown University

Printed in two columns divided by line of type ornaments. Wood-engraving of parents and two kneeling children at head of text in first column. Poem in 22 numbered four-line stanzas. Suggested place of publication and range of publication dates from internal evidence and because Brown University item backed by newspaper clippings from Massachusetts dated 1814.

A New-Year's Wish, from the Farrier's Lad

Verse in three stanzas, bordered by single line at top and bottom. At end of text: Boston, January 1769. Printed from the same setting of type as a New-Year's wish, from the baker's lad (Bristol B3053), with changes in title and text in the last three lines. Dated: Boston, January 1769. Presumably printed late in 1768 for distribution on or about New Year's Day. First line: The New-born year now dawns again.

A New-Year's piece

A New-Year's piece

Brown University

Line of type ornaments (four-petaled flowers; variant Reilly 494) at head and end of text. Type ornament: variant of Reilly 494.

A New Year's address to the citizens of Lynn

Describes modern fashions and manners, then deplores Crimean War and urges readers to patronize author's grocery stores, for cash. Describes modern fashions and manners, then deplores Crimean War and urges readers to patronize author's grocery stores, for cash. Printed in two columns divided by curvilinear line within border of type ornament sections. Type-signed at end of poem: George H. Harwood, corner of Union & Silsbee Sts., and 101 & 103 North Common St. Lynn, Jan. 1, 1855. Colophon below rule within lower border: N.H. Nichols, Printer, No. 12 Healey's Arcade, Lynn. Brown University copy has ms. poem "Ocean burial" by E.H. Chapin on verso.

A New Year resolution

A New Year resolution

Brown University

by T. W. Bellingham. Title printed between two lines of type ornaments. Printed in red and green. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

A new song: To the tune of the British grenadier

Poetry in 12 four-line stanzas. Headband of 18th century type ornaments at top and bottom. This edition not in Bristol or Wegelin. This song appears, with title "War and Washington; A song composed at the beginning of the American Revolution," in Sewall's Miscellaneous poems ... (Portsmouth, N.H., 1801), p. 52-53.

A new song written by a soldier

At left of title cut of American Eagle At end of text below line of type ornaments: Printed by Nathaniel Coverly, Jun.--Milk-Street

A new song on the death of George Shiffler

by a native American. Poetry in 8 four-line stanzas. Tune: Old lang syne. Within border of type ornaments. At end of text: For sale wholesale and retail by H.B. Pierson, at the cheap Book Store No. 389 South Second St. above Catherine. - And at H. Probasco's No. 119 North Fourth St.

A new song on the causes: beginning, events-- end & consequences of the late war with Great Britain

Composed by Silas Ballou, Richmond, New-Hampshire. Tune: The girl I left behind. Printed in three columns divided by curvelinear lines. Woodcut of United States emblem at left of title. Title also given as: History of the American War, and Old England forty years ago. At end of text in lower margins: Printed by Nathaniel Coverly, jun. Milk Street, Boston. Coverly is known to have been at above address from 1810 to 1824.