Thursday January 3, 2013 at 5:30pm
Colony House, Washington Square
$5 per person, $1 NHS and Redwood Library members
Please RSVP to 401-841-8770
Before the advent of technology, broadsides were the common way to learn about entertainment. The Newport Historical Society and the Redwood Library & Athenæum have partnered to host independent scholar and broadside collector Russell J. DeSimone who will present an illustrated lecture using 45 examples of Rhode Island broadsides that date from 1787 through 1912. The lecture will highlight broadsides from his private collection from the following categories:
- News & Information
- Advertising
- Murder & True Crime
- Death, Disaster & Misery
- Rebellion & War
- Politics & Voting
- Medicine & Quackery
- Entertainment, Recreation & Excursions
- Ballads & Poetry
- Lotteries & Carrier’s Addresses
Mr. DeSimone will display select broadsides from his collection for attendees to view.
Rhode Island Broadsides: A Collector’s Perspective compliments The Newport Historical Society’s exhibit Diversions and Entertainments in 19th Century Newport, which features historic advertisements and highlights some popular forms of entertainments available to 19th century Newporters. The exhibit runs through January 31, 2013 at the Museum of Newport History, located in the Museum & Shop at Brick Market, 127 Thames Street, Newport, RI. The Museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and is closed on major holidays (Christmas, New Year’s Day). Admission is by donation; suggested donation is $4 per person.
This celebration of broadsides is part of the Rhode Island Center for the Book’s Art of the Book Program “Rhode Island’s Broadsides Rule!” which offers statewide exhibits and events celebrating Rhode Island’s broadside history. Participating organizations include: John Hay Library at Brown Univeristy, Pettaquamscut Historical Society, Providence Public Library at the Providence Athenæum, Redwood Library & Athenæum and the University of Rhode Island Special Collections. The sponsors are: Rhode Island Council for the Humanities, John Russell Bartlett Society, American Printing History Association and The Rhode Island Historical Society.