The Rosen-blog will be going on vacation until after the new year, so we’re leaving you with a New Year’s item from our collections–a carrier’s address from January 1, 1848. Carriers’ addresses were New Year’s verses that were printed annually by many papers and delivered by newsboys in search of holiday tips.
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Carrier’s address of
the National Police Gazette, January 1st, 1848. A 848n. Rosenbach Museum & Library |
The following description of this intriguing object comes from former Education Department member Aisha Madhi:
What would the holiday season be without reflecting on the
year that has passed? In that spirit, the
National Police Gazette published this sensationalist broadside
recounting New York’s crimes of 1847. The popular publication served as an
early version of tabloid journalism, exposing its readers to the lurid
underworld of urban crime. The colorful cast of criminals depicted here includes
burglars, con men, pickpockets and murderers, with names like One-Eyed
Thompson.
year that has passed? In that spirit, the
National Police Gazette published this sensationalist broadside
recounting New York’s crimes of 1847. The popular publication served as an
early version of tabloid journalism, exposing its readers to the lurid
underworld of urban crime. The colorful cast of criminals depicted here includes
burglars, con men, pickpockets and murderers, with names like One-Eyed
Thompson.
For more on this interesting genre of publishing, check out the Brown University Library’s site on carrier addresses.
See you in 2014!
Kathy Haas is the Associate Curator at the Rosenbach Museum & Library.