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 runaway

The runaway

Brown University

Robert Frost. On verso: From "New Hampshire" with permission of the publishers, Henry Holt and Co. The Unbound Anthology/ The Poet's Guild/ Christodora House/ ...

The rumseller's foe

The rumseller's foe

Brown University

Printed in two columns divided by single line. Poem in 23 four-line stanzas. At head of text: Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by James Jowitt, in the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

The Ruml plan Congressmen

Issued in postcard format, printed in black on recto and in green on verso. Poem in five four-line stanzas. Type-signed at end of poem: F.G. Swanson, Tyler, Tex. Suggested publication date from postmark on Brown University copy.

The rum maniac

The rum maniac

Brown University

by Joseph Alison. Poetry and prose. Cover title. At head of text wood-engraving of sick man in bed tormented by demons. Date from mention of Maine liquor law passed in 1851 and other internal evidence.

The Royal Yacht Club - in a fix

At head of text: The following is said to have been written by one of the "forred" hands, on board the Yacht "America" ..

The roving Irishman!

The roving Irishman!

Brown University

Printed in two columns divided by line of advertisement within border of type ornaments: Songs so[l]d at wholesale and retail--at No. 78 N[o]rth Main-street, Providence. Cut of man riding backward on galloping horse at head of title. Poem in eight eight-line stanzas. Suggested publication date from ms. date on Brown University copy.

The roving Irishman

The roving Irishman

Brown University

Proofs(?) printed on verso of pages from arithmetic textbook. Printed in two columns divided by line of type ornaments. This edition not in Ford, compare Ford 3325a. Broadside could have been printed in Boston by Wm. Rutter.

The romance of a hammock: as recited by Mr. Gus Williams in "One of the finest."

Printed in colors on heavy paper. On page [1] lithograph of Williams in policeman's helmet, captioned "John Mishler" signed: Strobridge Lith. Co.; on page [2] lithograph of girl in hammock; on page [3] lithograph of man on horseback. On page [4] advertisement for Gus Williams, playing a German policeman in One of the finest by Joseph Bradford. Poem in two stanzas of varying length. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The Roman soldier and the children of Jerusalem: a carol for Easter

Printed in black and brown on tan paper. Cover title. At left and below title on page [1] drawing of Roman soldier in armor and three children. First stanza of song with music on pages [2]-[3]; other stanzas on page [4] Song in dialogue between soldier and children, in five stanzas. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The rolling world

The rolling world

Brown University

Page [4] blank. At end of text: Written for the Authors Club and sung at the dedication of its rooms, 1894.

The rocks of Scilly

The rocks of Scilly

Brown University

Printed in two columns divided by line of advertising between lines of type ornaments. At head of title wood-engraving of eagle with spread wings holding shield, olive branch, arrows and scroll inscribed: E pluribus unum; stars around head. Printed vertically between columns: Songs and ballads sold at No. 43[?] North Main-street--Providence. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The Rock of Skilor, or The unfortunate sailor

Verse in eleven stanzas printed in two columns divided by line of advertising with type ornaments at each end: Sold Wholesale and Retail corner of Merchant's-Row and Market-Square, (up-stairs) - Boston. Leonard Deming was at this address, also given as no. 1 south side of Faneuil Hall, from 1829 to 1831. Printed area measures 21.5 x 13.7 cm. First line: Come all your [sic] jovial seamen bold. Not in Shoemaker or Ford. Not in Checklist Amer. imprints.

The robot bomb

The robot bomb

Brown University

Printed on blue paper within ornamental border. Poem in two seven-line stanzas. Type-signed at end: William Hobart Royce. Aug. 9, 1944.