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

An elegy on the death of Mr. Harfield Lyndsey, aged 26 years

Poetry. Printed in two columns within border of type ornaments. Cut of coffin at left of title within border. Poem in 12 stanzas followed by an acrostic with initials spelling Mr Harfield Lyndsey. At end of text: Written by Samuel Dunn, AEt. 91 years 7 months. Imprint information from Howe bibliography in Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, n.s. 60 (1950), p. 217-223. Solomon Howe, printer, son of Solomon Howe (1750-1835), Baptist minister and author, printed with his brother John (1783-1845) at Greenwich and Enfield, Mass. and published broadsides with his own imprint in the 1830's. Enfield was separated from Greenwich, Mass. and incorporated in 1816. First line: May those who read, please to attend. First line of acrostic: May these few lines be read with serious mind. Not in Checklist Amer. imprints.

An elegy on the death of Capt. Annanias Valentine, Thomas Pinkney, Isaac Elliot, Jacamiah Cropsey, and Leonard Merrit

Printed in two columns divided by line of type ornaments within border of type ornaments. Title continues: All respectable citizens of the town of Marlborough, who were unfortunately drowned on the Flatts, in front of the town, in attempting to go on shore, on Friday morning, the 12th of December, 1800, in a violent storm of wind and rain. At head of text cut of five coffins. Poem in 18 four-line stanzas, reprint of contemporary elegy. Author's name not on item. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence, especially type ornaments.

An elegy on Major-General U.S. Grant

by Charles Smith, Past Commander, Ellsworth Post 67, G.A.R., N.Y. Within mourning border. Poem in ten four-line stanzas. At end of text: July 23d 1885.

An Easter voice

An Easter voice

Brown University

1 broadsheet Ms. note at head of text: Concerning those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

An Easter thought

An Easter thought

Brown University

by J.O. Ferry. Broadsheet printed in purple; poem on recto, prose text with Bible verses on verso. At head of text illustration of flowers and scroll. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence and acquisition date of Brown University copy.

An Easter song

An Easter song

Brown University

Printed in purple. Type-signed at end of poem: M.C. Lockwood.

An Easter prayer

An Easter prayer

Brown University

Printed on pink silk ribbon fringed at top and bottom. Poem in three eight-line stanzas. Type-signed at end: Frances R. Havergal. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

An Easter prayer

An Easter prayer

Brown University

Printed on pink silk ribbon fringed at top and bottom. Poem in three eight-line stanzas. Type-signed at end: Frances R. Havergal. Suggested range of publication dates from internal evidence.

An Easter poem

An Easter poem

Brown University

Within ornamental border. At head of text: Introduction ..

An early day legend of Port Orford

1 broadsheet. On right side of verso: Bells in red and green. Within ornamental red and green border. At head of text: Curry County, Oregon.

An awful wicked nigger

An awful wicked nigger

Brown University

words by S.B. Alexander; music by Summit L. Hecht For voice and piano Caption title Sung by: May Irwin Advertisement for other songs: p. [6] Cover illustration: drawing of Black couple walking away from Black man knocked on the ground / E.S. Fisher; photograph of May Irwin Library's copy has stamp on cover: For the press

An artistic pursuit

An artistic pursuit

Brown University

Poetry and prose. Ornamental border at left and right. At head of text: Please read. The only joy in my silent life is Art. I am not begging. Deaf and dumb due to scarlet fever, author asks contributions for art study.

An appeal to the charitable

Within double line border. Poem in four stanzas with eight lines each with printed attribution "by George W. Avery" Expanded version of one with same title attributed to W.H. Chase.