This collection of 289 English broadsides published between 1641 and 1714 includes almost 100 official publications, together with political and religious tracts, news-sheets, accounts of crimes, trials and executions, and satires and 'lybels' in verse and prose. It was acquired from the London bookseller, H.M. Fletcher, in 1976.

The collection is focused on political material. Well-represented names and events include:

  • Titus Oates and the Popish Plot
  • Rye House Plot
  • Progress of Lord Russell, Algernon Sidney, and Sir Thomas Armstrong to Tyburn
  • Death of the Earl of Essex in the Tower of London
  • Popular agitation in favour of Charles II’s illegitimate son, the Protestant Duke of Monmouth, and against the legitimate and Catholic heir James Duke of York
  • Murder of Thomas Thynne of Longleat.

The acquisition of the Fletcher Broadside Collection complemented 75 broadsides published between 1672 and 1699 already held by the Turnbull Library. Together, the collections document most of the major political and religious concerns of the years 1660 to 1700.

Further information about the collection can be found in '"A sort of appeal to the people" : a recent acquisition of English broadsides and broadsheets 1641-1714' by J.E. Traue, Turnbull Library Record 11 (1978), pp 104-111.

More about the Turnbull Library's Special Printed Collections

Planned changes to collection access

Our collections will be relocated while the Library building in Wellington is being redeveloped. This collection will continue to be available at Archives New Zealand. However there will be a temporary closure while it is packed and moved.

We expect to finalise the dates of the relocation later in 2009. We will give you at least one month's notice of collection access changes and closures.

For more information email atl@natlib.govt.nz

Find out more about planned changes to collection access

Access items in this collection

Items can be viewed onsite in the manuscripts reading room on the first floor of the Library on weekdays. Please make prior arrangement with the Curator by phone or email so that the items you require will be ready for you.

This collection is uncatalogued. Contact the Curator of the Special Printed Collections for access to the collection.

Borrow items in this collection

Original items from this collection cannot be borrowed.

Get copies from items in this collection

You can order digital photographs and microfilm copies of items in this collection.

Photocopies are possible under certain circumstances, depending upon the physical condition of the item. Photocopies are made by Library staff.

More about making copies

More about copyright and usage

Get help

We can answer your enquiries in person, by letter, phone or email.

Contact Details
Contact Us Alexander Turnbull Library collections