A database provides keyword, date, and location access to the images in the Broadsides category of this web project. The database includes terms deemed most likely to be useful to a range of users of the EAA project.

Below is a list of the database fields, with a description of each term, that you will find in the pull-down menus on the Broadsides Search Page. For simple, narrow searches, just enter the keyword you are searching (e.g. Virginia Female Institute, Washington Monument, automobiles, etc) and choose the appropriate term in the pull-down menus on the Search Page. If there is a match with an advertisement in this category, you will be able to view it; if not, the search engine will report "no hits." (Entering a key word such as "Institute" will ensure a search across all terms in the Broadsides Category.)

To search across all eleven categories in the EAA project (not just the Broadsides images), go to the EAA General Search page. On that page you will find guidance about using search terms for cross-category searching.

The first half of the list below reflects the Keyword or Field terms. Database fields representing Illustration and Special Features searches are grouped together in the second half.

(1) Keyword or Field Terms

Ad (Database) Number:  A unique letter/number identifier assigned to each item.

Headline:  Line in text that is set in large or bold type in the advertising item, or a key phrase that draws a reader into the advertisement.

Year:  Year item was printed; usually taken from the date written on the item itself. "n.d." in this space means no date was found on the item.

Company:  The name of the company advertising the product. The names are given as they are in the advertisement.

Subject/Product:  What the advertisement is trying to sell - Automobiles, Music and Pianos, etc. The advertisements are organized into these subject/product groups for enhanced access; the list of Subject/Product names is available on the Broadsides Category Browse Page . Subject/Product-specific searching is available on that page as well.

City:   Name of the city noted on the broadside. The city where the hotel is, the city of the agent for a specific company, etc. "Unknown" is written if information was not on the advertisement.

State:   State noted on the broadside. "Unknown" is written if information was not on the advertisement. To find all images from a given state, search using the U.S. Postal Service 2-letter codes.

Illustrator:   Name of the artist of a drawing in the advertisement. This category may include lithographer and engraving company names.

Notes:   This field was used to enter any overflow information from other fields (such as extra company names), as well as to add information specific to an advertisement that could be useful to researchers. Examples would include notes about images that were unusual, or especially interesting. Searching on "All" fields from the Search page insures that key words in the Notes field will be included in search returns.

(2) Illustration and Special Features

Some of the ads in this category may contain more than one kind of illustration. The predominant illustration will be recorded with the appropriate Illustration term. Additional illustrations may be described in the "Notes" section.

Black/White (B/W) Drawing in Illustration:  The illustration contains a drawing in black and white.

Cartoon in Illustration:  Advertisement with an illustration that is a cartoon-type drawing, usually consisting of one panel, or containing a well-known cartoon figure.

Color Drawing or Lithograph in Illustration:  The illustration is in color. This category encompasses drawings and lithographs.

Engraving or Woodcut in Illustration:  The illustration contains an engraving or woodcut. Often this information was taken from writing on the illustration.

Photograph in Illustration:  The illustration is a photograph, or includes a photo in a larger illustration.

Cultures:   This site includes historical materials that may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes reflecting the attitudes toward a culture or language at a particular period or place in the past. These items are presented as part of the historical record.

African/African-Americans

Native Americans




Children:   Noted when children are present in the advertisement in any significant way.

Sports:   Noted if a sport or athlete is a major feature of the advertisement. The type of sport in the advertisement is usually given in the "Notes" section.

Military:   Noted if the military (ships, weapons, people in uniform) is prominently displayed in the ad.

Price List:   This field records the presence of a list of prices for the specific product(s) in an advertisement.

Additional Ads:   Noted if there is more than one advertisement on a broadside. "Included" is written when additional ads occur.