Early American Poetry 1610-1820: A List of Works in the New York Public Library

This volume serves as a detailed inventory of early American poetry held by a major public library as of the summer of 1917. Compiled by a diligent researcher, it records titles, publication data, and occasional notes on authors, printing locations, and variant spellings, offering a snapshot of the literary output from the colonial era through the early republic. Readers will find entries ranging from modest pamphlets to more substantial collections, complete with clues about original editions, pseudonyms, and contextual remarks such as dedications or ties to historical events.

Beyond the bare listings, the work includes transcriber’s observations on formatting, punctuation, and the preservation of original spellings, providing insight into the challenges of cataloguing historical texts. For anyone interested in tracing the evolution of American verse, exploring forgotten poets, or understanding the breadth of material once accessible in a city’s reference department, this guide opens a window onto a rich, often overlooked poetic heritage.