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 This
rare patriotic broadside was made by the sailors of the
USS St. Lawrence while at port in Valparaiso, Chile, on
February 9, 1853. Not only is its very survival a
great rarity, but its wonderful coloration, patriotic
motifs, and the charming sense of camaraderie among the
sailors it imparts gives wonderful, personable insight
into the life of our sailors at sea in this early era.
Made in the format of a broadside or playbill for the
"National Theater", the productions are for the benefit
of a Mr. Edward Banks, presumably a senior mate on the
ship and the person who organized the production.
The entertainment includes three plays and two
performances by the Fisher's Minstrels. The
exceptional folk art elements of the broadside include a
star-spangled sunburst above a spread-wing eagle at the
top, above the motto "United We Stand, Divided We Fall".
A multicolor swag, flanked by two American flags with
tassels form a production stage theme to the top of the
broadside. Watercolor rose bushes and geometric
shapes including triangles and stars border the outside
of the playbill. The care taken in the design and
color of the graphical elements and the various fonts
used throughout show the pride taken by the artists of
this broadside, who signed their names to the
bottom--"C. P. Sharley, Artist" and "C.W. Bishop,
Printer & Painter"
To behold the
broadside, with the description of the show beginning
after the evening bell and once hammocks are out, one
can imagine the sounds of laughter and music, lanterns
illuminating the show, and the sailors of the USS St.
Lawrence performed their skits and music. That it
was preserved for all of these years, and was not
damaged or destroyed by the elements or simply lost, is
incredible, especially since it provides such a personal
glimpse into the lives of our sailors at sea in this
pre-Civil War era.
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