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.

This collection is part of:

Items in this collection

[Postcard of stage scene]

Printed on glossy paper in postcard format. On recto reproduction of black-and-white photograph of 12 costumed young girls on stage. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

"What! rob a poor man of his Beer!"

by John Barleycorn, Jr. Poetry and prose. Within border of type ornaments. First line same as title. Includes poem in five four-line stanzas and paragraph about male employees'spending two-thirds of wages to saloons. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

"What is the German's Fatherland?"

At head of text: Translated from the German of Arndt by Theo. Sutro. German Verbruederungs-Fest, New York, August 19, 1870. First line: What is the German's Fatherland?

"Vanity Fair."

"Vanity Fair."

Brown University

Broadsheet. Poetry. Type-signed at end: By William Silk. On verso:William Silk, Umbrellas Manufacturer, Central Falls, R.I. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

"Until we know"

"Until we know"

Brown University

At end of text: Cora Linn Daniels, Sardia Lodge, Wrentham, Mass. March 1, 1898.

"Thy will be done."

"Thy will be done."

Brown University

Within ornamental border. First line: When your life is full of trials.

"This means you."

"This means you."

Brown University

Poem in three six-line stanzas. Type-signed at end: By Herbert Foster, So. Lawrence, Mass. Suggested range of publication dates from dates when United States took part in World War I.

"There will be a day."

"There will be a day."

Brown University

1 broadsheet. Text printed in blue on white. Text on recto within double line border. Verso has list of the author's publications.

"The rose of the rancho."

Printed in white on recto and reddish brown on verso in postcard format. Text on verso superimposed on reproduction of photograph of actor and three actresses on stage or motion picture set; actor standing in friar's dress, two older actresses standing with raised arms, and younger actress on ground, supporting herself with hands. No other text on recto. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence and date of first New York production of The rose of the rancho by D. Belasco and R.W. Tully.

"The Emerald Isle"

"The Emerald Isle"

Brown University

Printed in green. At head of text: The first poem of his ever printed was the "The Exile's Departure." He was then 18 years old. At end of text: An unpublished poem of John G. Whittier.