Pennsylvania German Broadsides: Windows into an American Culture
Section I: Introduction Section II: The Broadside in Public Life Section III: The Broadside in Private Life Section IV: The Broadside Today
THE BROADSIDE TODAY

Today – and in recent decades –broadsides among the Pennsylvania Dutch people have usually been printed in English or Pennsylfawnisch. These current examples announce church suppers, community bazaars, Dutch preaching services, and occasionally "Bolidix" – political affairs. Local printers are still producing broadsides of all sorts – even heaven-letters! – and they should be collected – now.
   

PERCY EINSIG (1902-1971). This Dutch Country troubadour was popular for his renditions of the universal "Schnitzelbank" song and "Die Ford Machine" ("The Ford Car").
PERCY EINSIG (1902-1971)
 

BAZAAR & PLAY - SLATEDALE BAND HALL (1938). This pre-Christmas bazaar featured the Pennsylvania Dutch play "Wedding at the Crossroads."
BAZAAR & PLAY - SLATEDALE BAND HALL (1938)
 

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH LIARS' CONTEST (1950). Liars' contests were popular in the Dutch Country and featured what folklorists call "tall tales." It always amused the audience when preachers won the prizes for the best "lies."
PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH LIARS' CONTEST (1950)
   
 
Contact Information: The Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 - 215-546-3181, FAX 215-546-5167 Contact Wendy Woloson, Curator of Printed Books, for more information regarding this exhibition at woloson@librarycompany.org . Illustration: Detail from Song of the War of 1812, (1814)