Shakespearian Advertiser printing block collection (Ms.2011.044)

This collection contains wood engraving printing blocks created by Edward S. Jones to illustrate a booklet titled "The Shakespearian Advertiser" published by Harlen P. Boyce in Providence, RI. The wood printing blocks are comic illustrations of quotes from various plays by William Shakespeare. The illustrations are interspersed throughout the booklet the remainder of which is composed of advertisements from businesse primarily in Rhode Island but also in Massachusetts and New York. The collection contains 2 copies of the booklet published in 1871 and titled "The Shakespearian Advertiser;" a complete set of 52 prints from the wood engraving blocks; 38 of the original wood engraving blocks; and the agreement between Joseph H. Saunders, Harlen P. Boyce and James Boyce for the publication of the illustrations dated 12 Nov 1870. One of the booklets serves as the index to the printing blocks with each print assigned a number. The corresponding original blocks have been assigned the same number as the print.

The collection was originally housed in a wooden crate: 21.5" Long x 17" Wide x 8.25" Tall. The crate was not retained.