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 tocsin

The tocsin

Brown University

Printed in two columns divided by curvilinear line. At head of text: 'If the pulpit be silent, whenever or wherever there may be a sinner, bloody with this guilt, within the hearing of its voice, the pulpit is false to its trust.' D. Webster. Publication dates suggested by reference to murder of Elijah P. Lovejoy in 1837 and absence of references to Civil War.

The Titanic

The Titanic

Brown University

At head of text: Greater love hath no man than this .. At end of text: From the United Presbyterian and the Watchword.

The Titanic

The Titanic

Brown University

1 broadsheet. Advertisement on verso.

The time has come when we must part

Printed in colors and silver on heavy pink paper. At upper left embossed colored illustration of sailing ship. Title from first lines. Poem in five four-line stanzas. On verso advertising material for corsets, headed: R & G Corsets are the best! Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The three weavers

The three weavers

Brown University

Poetry. Apparently clipped from a proof sheet from a student or alumnae publication. Type-signed at end of poem: E. Luzenberg, '14. Below poem prose passage headed: Alumnae interest. The charm's the thing. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence and accession date of Brown University copy.

The three crafts: Described in long metre

Poem attacks physicians, lawyers and priests. Poem attacks physicians, lawyers and priests. Printed in three columns. At end of third column wood-engraving of ox. To be sung to the tune: False are the men of high degree. This edition not in Ford. Author's name not on item. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The three bidders

The three bidders

Brown University

Rowland Hill and Lady Anne Erskine ; revised by E.P. Marvin. Poem in 18 six-line stanzas. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The Tennessee State Capitol

Describes contents of building, including relics of Revolution and Indian and Mexican wars. Describes contents of building, including relics of Revolution and Indian and Mexican wars. Printed in two columns divided by single line. At head of title cut of Tennessee capitol building. Poem in 14 six-line stanzas. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence, especially the lack of mention of the Civil War; the building was completed in 1855.

The ten virgins

The ten virgins

Brown University

Within ornamental border. Poem in five six-line stanzas. At end of text below curvilinear line within border: E.B. Carter, Printer,--West Killingly, Ct. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The temple of the Lord

The temple of the Lord

Brown University

Within ornamental border. Poem in 14 four-line stanzas. At end of text: Warwick, Oct. 1852. S.G. & L.H.

The temple of the ages

The temple of the ages

Brown University

Pages [2] and [4] blank. At head of text: With best wishes for F.G.S. At end of text: Frederick George Scott, Quebec.

The tempest: and, The wild & wicked youth

Printed in two columns divided by line of type ornaments. At end of text below rule: Printed and sold, wholesale and retail, by J. M'Cleland, 285 Water-st. M'Cleland, a New York printer, was listed at above address from 1824 to 1829. "The tempest" is attributed to G.E. Stevens by Thomas A. Philbrick (Studies in bibliography, papers of the Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia, vol. 9, 1957, pp. 255-258) "The wild and wicked youth" according to G.M. Laws (American balladry from British Broadsides, 1957, p. 172) is a traditional variant of "The rambling boy"

The tempest: a celebrated sea song

Poetry in nine eight-line stanzas printed in two columns divided by single line. This poem is attributed to George A. Stevens by Thomas A. Philbrick in "Studies in bibliography, papers of the Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia", vol. 9, 1957, pp. 255-258. Internal evidence, e.g. typeface and design, suggest possible range of dates. Placement of capital letters reminds of broadsides printed by N. Coverly, jr., of Boston.

The tempest

The tempest

Brown University

Printed in two columns divided by line of type ornaments. Advertising beneath curvilinear line at end of text: Printed and sold at No. 25 High Street, Providence, where are constantly kept .... Henry Trumbull was listed at above address from 1826 to 1836. The poem is attributed to George A. Stevens by Thomas A. Philbrick in "Studies in bibliography, papers of the Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia," vol. 9, 1959, pp. 255-258.

The telegraph messengers' annual Christmas & New Year's greeting

Boy complains of long hours, bad weather and lack of opportunity for schooling, then gives good wishes and thanks for tip. Boy complains of long hours, bad weather and lack of opportunity for schooling, then gives good wishes and thanks for tip. Page [4] blank. Printed in blue within double-line border with ornaments including vignettes of kimono-clad Japanese man and woman on page [1], upper and lower borders of type ornament sections on pages [2]-[3] Cover title. Poem in eight four-line stanzas.