The New York Society Library began collecting ephemeral materials such as newspapers, pamphlets, and broadsides in the late 18th century. In 1791, the Library placed an ad in the Daily Advertiser asking members to deposit "pamphlets and other publications that in any manner relate to the history or politics of this country, before or since the revolution." The Library now holds an impressive collection of 18th century newspapers, pamphelts, and broadsides that was built as the events these materials documented took place.

Newspapers

The Library has subscribed to local newspapers throughout its history, and a particular strength of our collection is the wide coverage of New York City's early newspapers. Among the highlights are copies of William Bradford's New York Gazette, the city's first weekly newspaper; John Peter Zenger's New York Weekly Journal, famous for the role it played in establishing freedom of the press; and newspapers printed by then-members Hugh Gaine (The New-York Mercury and The Plebian) and James Rivington (Rivington's New York Gazetteer). 

Researchers can find the Library's holdings of 18th- and 19th-century newspapers by searching New York (N.Y.) -- Newspapers in our online catalog. A copy of Frank B. Bigelow's "Early files of newspapers in the New York Society Library" (The Literary Collector, v. 2, Dec. 1902) is also available online via Google Books, and appears here in list form. 

Pamphlets and Broadsides

In the 18th-century, pamphlets and broadsides served as a public outlet for political discourse much in the same way as television or the Internet do today. Leaflets were printed, handed out, exchanged between friends, and usually discarded shortly thereafter. 

Our broadsides collection is fully cataloged online, with a link to a contents list. Our pamphlets collection is also fully cataloged online and searchable by title, author, date, subject, and keyword, but individual items are not linked together there as a collection. It is possible to browse the complete holdings of our pamphlet collection as a group in our card catalog, which researchers are welcome to consult by appointment.

Contact a Special Collections Librarian for assistance.

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Da Ponte Collection | Newspapers, Pamphlets and Broadsides