Performance and Entertainment

Digital collections that fall within the John Hay Library’s Performance and Entertainment STRATEGIC COLLECTING DIRECTION. Here you will find digitized materials that document the history and creative process of performing arts and provides a window into public life and popular entertainment in the Americas through plays, dance, film, music, photography, and pornography.
This collection is part of Brown University Library, hosted by Brown University.

Items in this collection

The city of Columbus

The city of Columbus

Brown University

By Geo. W. G. Russell. Below title cut of steamboat with small paddle-wheel and sails. Poem in eight four-line stanzas. Suggested publication date from date of shipwreck.

The church to the pastor

Within double-line border with ornamental corners. At head of text: The audience are requested to unite in singing. L. P. M. Text of hymn in five six-line stanzas. At end of text, below curvilinear line and within border: Bourne, Printer, 6 Cortlandt Street. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

The Christmas watch

The Christmas watch

Brown University

Margaret Dole McCall. Printed on heavy white paper in postcard format. Two poems. At end of text: A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all from Margaret Dole McCall.

The Christmas tree

The Christmas tree

Brown University

Page [4] blank. Printed in red and black; rubricated initial. Poem in three stanzas of varying length. Author's name from signature on Brown University copy.

The Christmas trail to Auld Lang Syne

Pages [1] and [4] blank. Issued in lettered illustrated tan paper wrapper. Printed in red and green on tan paper; colored initial block. Vignette of quill pens and lighted candle on page [2]. Poem in eight lines. Imprint information from publisher. Publication date from ms. notation on Brown University copy along with signature (first name only) of publisher and press owner.

The Christmas spirit and the gift

Printed in colors and gold within ornamental border on heavy paper in postcard format; illuminated initial block. Facsimile autograph at end: Mary C. Low. "No. 1851. Printed in Bavaria."--Verso. Suggested publication date from postmark on Brown University copy.

The Christmas shepherd

The Christmas shepherd

Brown University

Margaret Dole McCall. Printed on heavy white paper in postcard format. Two poems. At end of text: Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all.

The Christmas festivals. Grace Chapel

In English and German. Printed in two columns divided by single line. At each side of title: 1913. Contains thirteen Christmas carols in English and five in German.

The Christians spiritual, or Shaker cake

Poetry. Printed in two columns; border of type ornaments at top and bottom; original dimensions not known. At head of text: The following lines were composed by Hannah Brownson, of Canterbury, N.H., a sister of the connection of believers usually called Shakers, by reason of a report that was in circulation, that they put a kind of seed into their bread or cake that so bewitched people joining them, that they could not easily get away. Poem in eight numbered eight-line stanzas. Imprint statement at end of text: Caleb B. Page, Lowell, Mass. S.J. Varney, Printer--Lowell, Mass. Suggested range of dates from internal evidence.

The Christians looking glass

Poetry in 10 eight-line stanzas printed in two columns. Type face and design suggest Boston as place of publication and John & Thomas Fleet, Nathaniel Coverly, or Joseph White as possible printers. According to letter from Dr. Richard Hulan, poem has been attributed to Caleb J. Taylor, one of the "Western bards" of the camp-meeting movement. Not in Evans, Bristol, or Shaw/Shoemaker.