From the acclaimed holdings of the Library Company of Philadelphia, these supplements offer a broad range of additional books, pamphlets and broadsides, dramatically expanding the Early American Imprints digital collections. Most of these 2,000 items were not included in Charles Evans’ monumental work, Roger Bristol’s supplement, or “American Bibliography, 1801-1819” by Ralph R. Shaw and Richard H. Shoemaker. Printed during a century and a half of American life, spanning the Colonial era, the formation of the new nation, and the Early Republic, these supplements include rare items that represent a remarkable enrichment of Readex’s Early American Imprints.
Rare and significant materials for exploring early America
The materials found in these supplements are representative of numerous genres of Colonial era print, many from the middle and working classes. As a result of their popularity, the fragile bound books are generally unknown today because they were read repeatedly until they disintegrated. Among these are guide books to contemporary life, which served to shape individual and community identities. The pamphlets, often containing writing of considerable significance, contain sermons, religious tracts, political arguments, reports of organized bodies and other influential items. The broadsides—which capture an unedited slice of life—include doggerel ballads, advertisements, official decrees, news extras, amateur elegies and more.
Extensive indexing and easy browsing
Every item in Early American Imprints: Supplements from the Library Company of Philadelphia is expertly cataloged, and MARC records are available. Both supplements are essential complements to the American Antiquarian Society supplements and are fully cross-searchable with all America’s Historical Imprints collections to jumpstart research.
In partnership with the Library Company of Philadelphia
The Library Company of Philadelphia is an independent research library specializing in American history, society and culture from the 17th through the 19th centuries. Founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin, the Library Company is America’s first successful lending library and among its oldest cultural institutions.
