Shakespearian Advertiser printing block collection (Ms.2011.044)

In 1870, Joseph H. Saunders of Johnston, RI devised a plan to create an advertising booklet that interspersed comic pictures based upon sayings from plays by William Shakespeare with the advertisements for local businesses. The preface to the booklet states its purpose: "It combines information as to where our wants of all kinds may be supplied in the best manner, and at the fairest prices; with illustrations of a higher class of humor than is usually presented to the public by the so called comic papers." Saunders contracted with Harlen P. Boyce to be the publisher and Edward S. Jones created the illustrations using wood engraving blocks as the medium. James Boyce agreed to pay Saunders the lost profits in the event that Harlen P. Boyce failed at the task of publishing the booklet. The booklet was called The Shakespearian Advertiser and was published in Providence, RI in 1871.