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

1859 Sad Ėlʹdorado. Chetverg, 27 Avgusta, benefis Ḟedora Valʹ︠t︡sa: Bolshoĭ prazdnik, vo vkus︠i︡e vremen L︠i︡udovika ...

Program for a benefit concert, which included a display with kaleidoscopic moving figures lit in "rainbow play" of colors, a fountain, and a temple on the pond with moving columns; the first part of the concert followed by an illumination, the second part by fireworks, beacons of Bengal lights, and electrical lights. The words "a la Renaissance" and "feu d'artifice Monsire" printed in roman type; roman type is also used to print French and German musical titles in the program.

1856. Fourth of July ode!

by Josiah Lord Thomas, Esq. Printed in three columns divided by single lines within border of type ornament sections. Place of publication suggested because Brown University has another July Fourth broadside by Thomas backed by Portland newspaper clippings.

18 fingers of the moon

18 fingers of the moon

Brown University

Poetry. Printed on brown paper. At end of poem: Charles Watts. Imprint and date suggested because acquired in group of Canadian broadsides printed in the 1960's through the 1980's. First line: Have touched a cold reeling room.

1786 1886

1786 1886

Brown University

Issued pasted into lettered illustrated pale green paper folder. Cover title. On page [1] reduced facsimile of front page of Syracuse herald for Sept. 1, 1886; on pages [2]-[3] cartoon illustrations of historical events in Syracuse and text of beginning of Act incorporating the city of Syracuse; on page [4] poem describing illustrations, beginning: They're ab-o-rig-i-nals of 1586. On back cover: Centennial souvenir, compliments of Syracuse herald. Inner sides of cover contain advertising matter.

1776 Powder

1776 Powder

Brown University

1 broadsheet. On recto colored lithograph of bust of B.T. Babbitt with facsimile signature and date 1878 below; above head in red: 1776, Powder. On verso printed in red information about soap and poem of which initial letters form acrostic: B.T. Babbitt's soap.

1776 - Centennial Ode - 1876

Text embossed on white paper. In margin on left: Printed at Machinery Hall, U.S. Centennial Exposition. In margin on right: N.B. Kneass, Jr., Publisher of the Blind, Phila., Pa. At end of text: Copyright 1875, by Samuel C. Upham, author of the words. Music by Adam Geibel.

1773. Greeting

1773. Greeting

Brown University

by Eliza W. Lippitt. 1873. Caption title. Poetry in five numbered stanzas in eight- and twelve-line stanzas printed within double line border.

1650 to 1700 A.D.

1650 to 1700 A.D.

Brown University

Edward Alden. Pages [1] and [4] blank. Printed in two and one columns. At end of text: Aug. 1904. At head of title: Following verses composed by Mr. Edward Alden of Swampscott were read before the Old Bridgewater Historical Society ..

1609-1924

1609-1924

Brown University

Poetry; printed on orange paper. Page [4] blank.

1609-1924

1609-1924

Brown University

Poetry; printed on orange paper. Page [4] blank.

1609-1924

1609-1924

Brown University

Poetry; printed on orange paper. Page [4] blank.

16:IV:73

16:IV:73

Brown University

A poem in broadside By David Kherdian ; illustrated by Nonny Hogrogian.

150th anniversary dinner 1789-1939

Printed on heavy paper. Below title vignette of society seal, a fire bucket inscribed: 1789, a monogram and a scroll inscribed: Esto perpetua. "Federal Fire Society. Rockingham Hotel, November 2, 1939." Includes poem, menu and list of members.

12 wishes for any season

Broadsheet folded to create 6 panels, of which two are blank On last panel drawing of male and female figures Includes two poems Printed for New Year, 1975 for Diane di Prima, Grand Fisher and Josie Grant at Spring Creek Typesetting Dealer says illustration by Josie Grant