Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection

This vast digital collection of military artwork from the 16th through 20th centuries, vividly documents all aspects of military and naval history, with emphasis on the history and illustration of world military and naval uniforms from the 17th century to the present. In addition to the material on military and naval dress, the collection contains thousands of battle and campaign scenes, portraits, caricatures, wartime posters, original photographs, material pertaining to military decorations and insignia, heraldic ornaments, armor, weaponry, equitation, flags, knightly orders, court and ceremonial dress, architecture, and the general history of costume.
This collection is part of Brown University Library, hosted by Brown University.

Items in this collection

The disabled soldier

The disabled soldier

Brown University

Sepia stipple engraving by R.H. Heath after Morland; sentimental scene of one-legged veteran fiddler accompanied by girl, begging to mother and child at cottage door. Sepia stipple engraving by R.H. Heath after Morland; sentimental scene of one-legged veteran fiddler accompanied by girl, begging to mother and child at cottage door. Upright medium folio, matted; margins trimmed; edges worn. London, Spencer, 1956.

The Diamond Jubilee Celebration at St. Paul's Cathedral: 22nd June 1897

Sepia photogravure after Gow; Queen in landau before massed ecclesiastics and guests on cathedral steps, mounted officers etc. in uniform in left foreground. Sepia photogravure after Gow; Queen in landau before massed ecclesiastics and guests on cathedral steps, mounted officers etc. in uniform in left foreground. Large oblong folio, matted; margins intact; clean. London, Parker Gallery, 1950.

The Diamond Battery before Sebastopol,--November 1854

Stipple engraved proof by H. Papprill after Simpson, published May 26th, 1855; naval mortar crew, with officers, resting in emplacement during lull in contest, smaller soldier figures in left background. Stipple engraved proof by H. Papprill after Simpson, published May 26th, 1855; naval mortar crew, with officers, resting in emplacement during lull in contest, smaller soldier figures in left background. Large oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed; slightly soiled. London, Spencer, 1953.

The Devonshire Regt.: 11th Foot

Part of collection of 66 original signed oil paintings on fiber-board by Harry Payne for Gale & Polden postcards; infantryman on guard with grounded rifle, near building corner, 2 officers conversing in right background; note on verso : "No. 46, third set of 6". Part of collection of 66 original signed oil paintings on fiber-board by Harry Payne for Gale & Polden postcards; infantryman on guard with grounded rifle, near building corner, 2 officers conversing in right background; note on verso : "No. 46, third set of 6". Upright folio on board, unbound, in red portfolio stamped gold, "Original oil paintings for British regimental prints c. 1900-1910".

The Devonshire Regiment

The Devonshire Regiment

Brown University

18th in collection of 61 tempera drawings on board, signed, and most dated, by McNeill, for Gale and Polden postcard series of uniform figures and groups (all infantry regiments and RAMC units shown except the following, for which drawings were either not made or else are now lacking : 1st, 4th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 37th, 38th, 52nd, 64th, 75th); 2 infantrymen in red jackets, black helmets, in conversation outdoors, one seated on rock. 18th in collection of 61 tempera drawings on board, signed, and most dated, by McNeill, for Gale and Polden postcard series of uniform figures and groups (all infantry regiments and RAMC units shown except the following, for which drawings were either not made or else are now lacking : 1st, 4th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 37th, 38th, 52nd, 64th, 75th); 2 infantrymen in red jackets, black helmets, in conversation outdoors, one seated on rock. Oblong and upright, 61 pieces; a few soiled; in folio red cloth case, red leather label st. gold. London, Francis Edwards, 1966.

The Devonshire Regiment

The Devonshire Regiment

Brown University

Original watercolor sketch by McNeill; 2 infantrymen in conversation, one seated on rock, outdoors. (On oblong sheet, right half unpainted; title on verso.) Original watercolor sketch by McNeill; 2 infantrymen in conversation, one seated on rock, outdoors. (On oblong sheet, right half unpainted; title on verso.) Oblong folio; no margins; clean.

The devil's own waltz

The devil's own waltz

Brown University

Subject: satirical portrait of the devil disguised as a soldier, with serpent's tail and hooves; by Thos. W. Lee. Subject: satirical portrait of the devil disguised as a soldier, with serpent's tail and hooves; by Thos. W. Lee. Title continues: Dedicated (by permission) to Colonel M. Murdo, C.B. and the officers & gentlemen of the 23rd Middlesex (Inns of Court) Rifle Volunteer Corps ; composed by Louis John Islip, Composer of the Richmond Rifle Quadrille, Maid of Honour Valse, &c., &c. Price 4/-

The deserter

The deserter

Brown University

Hand-colored sentimental stipple engraving by W. Dickinson after Bunbury; adamant officer in center hearing pleas of wife, child and mother of deserter who is being led away at right, landscape background with village church. Hand-colored sentimental stipple engraving by W. Dickinson after Bunbury; adamant officer in center hearing pleas of wife, child and mother of deserter who is being led away at right, landscape background with village church. Oblong folio, matted; plate mark, margins trimmed; margins soiled. London, Peter Young, 1946.

The Des Moines Cavalry Company leaving Des Moines (Iowa) for the war and Return to Davenport (Iowa) of the Iowa First...

2 wood-engraved illustrations on 1 page; view of departure of troops, mounted officer flourishing sword in foreground, after a photograph by T.P. Sherman; parade of returning troops in city street, triumphal arch in background. 2 wood-engraved illustrations on 1 page; view of departure of troops, mounted officer flourishing sword in foreground, after a photograph by T.P. Sherman; parade of returning troops in city street, triumphal arch in background. From Harper's Weekly, September 21, 1861, page 604. Hanover, N.H., Book & Print Shop, 1956.

The Departure of the "Discovery" for the Antarctic: introducing Captain Scott to the King

Original wash drawing unsigned and heightened in tempera (by Dickinson) ; King Edward VII, Queen and Princess being introduced to Captain Scott on deck of ship. Original wash drawing unsigned and heightened in tempera (by Dickinson) ; King Edward VII, Queen and Princess being introduced to Captain Scott on deck of ship. For The Graphic, August 10, 1901, page 179. London, Ifan Kyrle Fletcher, 1953.

The departure from the Vistula, or the end of the farce of going to St. Petersburgh

Riding a ragged mule, Napoleon makes a slow getaway from the coast. He sits hunched over the beast whose hefty burden is compounded by the sacks slung onto its back. The bundles stacked behind Napoleon are inscribed "Boulogne Encampment," and the "Army of England;" the sack slung over the mule's neck is inscribed "Excuses for Non Performance & Proposals for Peace." Napoleon and his ignoble mount are head in the direction of two monkeys who wear bonnets rouges and hail their "Mighty Emperor." Behind Napoleon, a large bear standing on a cliff on the opposite bank lifts its hind legs in order to direct a stream of urine toward Napoleon's head. Unaware of the composition of this torrent of liquid, Napoleon mistakes it for rain and declares "Bless me what a shower! I shall be wet through before I reach the Rhine." An "Iron Crown" falls forward from Napoleon's head and will certainly rust. This sheet is a reissue of print published by Ackermann in 1803 that was titled, "The Departure from the Coast, or the End of the Farce of Invasion." The "British Lion" in the original has been replaced by a Bear, symbolizing Russia. Additionally, British ships have been removed from the harbor. In changing these small iconographic indicators on the plate, Ackermann has restyled the caricature to address Napoleon's retreat from Russia, thereby increasing his profits from Rowlandson's original design. Sheet is in good condition. There are remains of blue paper to which it was glued, and glue stains are visible on the front edges of the sheet. Riding a ragged mule, Napoleon makes a slow getaway from the coast. He sits hunched over the beast whose hefty burden is compounded by the sacks slung onto its back. The bundles stacked behind Napoleon are inscribed "Boulogne Encampment," and the "Army of England;" the sack slung over the mule's neck is inscribed "Excuses for Non Performance & Proposals for Peace." Napoleon and his ignoble mount are head in the direction of two monkeys who wear bonnets rouges and hail their "Mighty Emperor." Behind Napoleon, a large bear standing on a cliff on the opposite bank lifts its hind legs in order to direct a stream of urine toward Napoleon's head. Unaware of the composition of this torrent of liquid, Napoleon mistakes it for rain and declares "Bless me what a shower! I shall be wet through before I reach the Rhine." An "Iron Crown" falls forward from Napoleon's head and will certainly rust. This sheet is a reissue of print published by Ackermann in 1803 that was titled, "The Departure from the Coast, or the End of the Farce of Invasion." The "British Lion" in the original has been replaced by a Bear, symbolizing Russia. Additionally, British ships have been removed from the harbor. In changing these small iconographic indicators on the plate, Ackermann has restyled the caricature to address Napoleon's retreat from Russia, thereby increasing his profits from Rowlandson's original design. Sheet is in good condition. There are remains of blue paper to which it was glued, and glue stains are visible on the front edges of the sheet. Published by R. Ackermann. For a description of the original 1803 plate, see BM 10432. 1807-04-01 Caption: Publishd April 1 by R. Ackermann No 101 Strand 1807 Dialogue: Napoleon: "Bless me what a shower! I shall be wet through before I reach the Rhine." Dialogue: French Monkeys: "Oh Mighty Emperor" Stamp(s): RA A

The Departure from Brighton

One of a pair of color mezzotints by J. Murphy after Wheatley; light dragoon in foreground taking leave of sweetheart in group with other women, baby, horses and transport wagons at left, tents at right in landscape background. One of a pair of color mezzotints by J. Murphy after Wheatley; light dragoon in foreground taking leave of sweetheart in group with other women, baby, horses and transport wagons at left, tents at right in landscape background. Large oblong folio, matted; plate marks, margins; clean. London, Parker Gallery, 1960.

The defenders of our Union

Composite portraits of Union soldiers and Abraham Lincoln; includes key: 1. Abraham Lincoln -- 2. Winfield Scott -- 3. George B. McClellan -- 4. Robert Anderson -- 5. Edward D. Baker -- 6. Nathaniel P. Banks -- 7. Louis Blenker -- 8. Don Carlos Buell -- 9. Ambrose E. Burnside -- 10. Benjamin F. Butler -- 11. George A. McCall -- 12. Cass. M. Clay -- 13. Michael Corcoran -- 14. James D. Cox -- 15. Samuel R. Curtis -- 16. John A. Dix -- 17. Samue F. Dupont -- 18. Irwin McDowell -- 19. Ebner E. Ellsworth -- 20. Andrew A. Foote -- 21. John C. Fremont -- 22. Ulysses S. Grant -- 23. Henry W. Halleck -- 24. Samuel P. Hemtzelman -- 25. Rush C. Hawkins -- 26. David Hunter -- 27. F.W. Lander -- 28. Nathl. Lyon -- 29. Thomas F. Meagher -- 30. J.K.F. Mansfield -- 31. James A. Mulligan -- 32. Wm. S. Rosencrans -- 83. T.W. Sherman -- 34. Henry Slemmer -- 35. Daniel F. Sickles -- 36. Franz Sigel -- 37. William Sprague, Gov. of R.I. -- 38. Com. S.H. Stringham -- 39. Max Weber -- 40. Cap. Charles Wilkes -- 41. Henry Wilson -- 42. John J. Wool. Composite portraits of Union soldiers and Abraham Lincoln; includes key: 1. Abraham Lincoln -- 2. Winfield Scott -- 3. George B. McClellan -- 4. Robert Anderson -- 5. Edward D. Baker -- 6. Nathaniel P. Banks -- 7. Louis Blenker -- 8. Don Carlos Buell -- 9. Ambrose E. Burnside -- 10. Benjamin F. Butler -- 11. George A. McCall -- 12. Cass. M. Clay -- 13. Michael Corcoran -- 14. James D. Cox -- 15. Samuel R. Curtis -- 16. John A. Dix -- 17. Samue F. Dupont -- 18. Irwin McDowell -- 19. Ebner E. Ellsworth -- 20. Andrew A. Foote -- 21. John C. Fremont -- 22. Ulysses S. Grant -- 23. Henry W. Halleck -- 24. Samuel P. Hemtzelman -- 25. Rush C. Hawkins -- 26. David Hunter -- 27. F.W. Lander -- 28. Nathl. Lyon -- 29. Thomas F. Meagher -- 30. J.K.F. Mansfield -- 31. James A. Mulligan -- 32. Wm. S. Rosencrans -- 83. T.W. Sherman -- 34. Henry Slemmer -- 35. Daniel F. Sickles -- 36. Franz Sigel -- 37. William Sprague, Gov. of R.I. -- 38. Com. S.H. Stringham -- 39. Max Weber -- 40. Cap. Charles Wilkes -- 41. Henry Wilson -- 42. John J. Wool.

The Defence of Kars

The Defence of Kars

Brown University

Hand-colored engraving after Simpson, published June 7th, 1859; group of officers on hillside above town, looking at plan of fort; civilians seated nearby, woman collapsed on ground with two children in left foregorund, one of whom appeals for help. Hand-colored engraving after Simpson, published June 7th, 1859; group of officers on hillside above town, looking at plan of fort; civilians seated nearby, woman collapsed on ground with two children in left foregorund, one of whom appeals for help. Large oblong folio; margins trimmed; stained, soiled. [See: Harrington, Peter, 'The Defence of Kars, 1855: Paintings by William Simpson and Thomas Jones Barker', Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Vol. LXIX, No 277 (Spring 1991), pp. 22-28].

The Deesa Field Brigade of the Bombay Army

Original watercolor signed by Bell; large group of uniform figures, mounted and standing, outdoors. Original watercolor signed by Bell; large group of uniform figures, mounted and standing, outdoors. Narrow oblong medium folio, matted; no margins, faded (?). Title supplied by cataloger. London, Parker Gallery, 1975.

The death of Warren: a national song

written by Epes Sargent ; the music composed and most respectfully dedicated to his friend Abraham R. Thompson, M.D. of Charlestown, Mass by William R. Dempster. For voice and piano. Cover title. Cover lith. illustration by Bufford: Death of Gen. Joseph Warren at the battle of Bunker Hill. First line of text: When the war cry of liberty rang thro' the land.

The death of Warren: a national song

written by Epes Sargent ; the music composed and most respectfully dedicated to his friend Abraham R. Thompson, M.D. of Charlestown, Mass by William R. Dempster. For voice and piano. Cover title. Cover lith. illustration by Bufford: Death of Gen. Joseph Warren at the battle of Bunker Hill. First line of text: When the war cry of liberty rang thro' the land.

The Death of the Great Wolf: "We have overcome all Opposition!" - exclaimed the Messengers. - "I'm satisfied." - said...

Hand-colored engraved caricature plate by and after Js. Gillray, published Decr. 17th, 1795; parody of Benjamin West's painting of the death of Wolfe. Hand-colored engraved caricature plate by and after Js. Gillray, published Decr. 17th, 1795; parody of Benjamin West's painting of the death of Wolfe. Oblong folio; matted; plate mark, margins intact; lower left corner creased; yellowed. London, Spencer, 1955.

The Death of Sarsfield: A lyric for the Brigade

words by Thomas Davis ; music by Gustavus Geary. 'To Col. M. Corcoran and the gallant 69 Reg. N.Y.S.M.'--cover. Cover lithographic illustration by Endicott and Co.: full-length portrait of officer of the 69th Regiment in uniform standing in tent, other tents and small soldier figures seen through opening.

The Death of Major Pierson. And the Defeat of the French Troops in the Market Place of St. Heliers in the Island of J...

Hand-colored engraving by Kessler after Copley; soldiers bearing away body of officer in center, fighting in town square in background, women, one of whom holds a baby, and child fleeing in right foreground. Hand-colored engraving by Kessler after Copley; soldiers bearing away body of officer in center, fighting in town square in background, women, one of whom holds a baby, and child fleeing in right foreground. Large oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed; edges worn, repaired tears. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1950.

The Death of Lord Robert Manners

Engraving by Sherwin after Stothard, published 16th Augt. 1786; 6 officers and sailors on deck of the Resolution lifting Manners during naval battle off St. Lucia, West Indies, 1782. Engraving by Sherwin after Stothard, published 16th Augt. 1786; 6 officers and sailors on deck of the Resolution lifting Manners during naval battle off St. Lucia, West Indies, 1782. Large oblong folio, mounted on white paper; plate mark, margins trimmed; clean. Vienna, Christian Nebehay, 1962.

The Death of General Wolfe at Quebec

Mezzotint, published 10th Octr. 1779; Wolfe seated on ground attended by kneeling soldier and doctor(?), another soldier standing and another approaching at left. Mezzotint, published 10th Octr. 1779; Wolfe seated on ground attended by kneeling soldier and doctor(?), another soldier standing and another approaching at left. Upright medium folio, matted; margins trimmed close; yellowed, soiled. London, Spencer, 1955.

The Death of General Wolfe

Hand-colored stipple-engraving by Augustin Le Grand after West; general dying on ground in center, attended by officers, soldier with flag standing behind, a Native American, groups of lamenting soldiers at left and right, battle in background. Hand-colored stipple-engraving by Augustin Le Grand after West; general dying on ground in center, attended by officers, soldier with flag standing behind, a Native American, groups of lamenting soldiers at left and right, battle in background. Large oblong folio, matted; plate mark, margins. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1948.

The Death of General Sir Ralph Abercromby. K.B.

Hand-colored engraving by Legat after Stothard; wounded general on ground, attended by officers, large group of staff and soldiers in background. Hand-colored engraving by Legat after Stothard; wounded general on ground, attended by officers, large group of staff and soldiers in background. Large oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed; soiled, worn. London, Spencer, 1952.

The death of General Montgomery at Quebec

Hand-colored engraving by Ketterlinus after Trumbull; battle scene, showing dying Montgomery surrounded by staff in center; descriptive identifying key below. Hand-colored engraving by Ketterlinus after Trumbull; battle scene, showing dying Montgomery surrounded by staff in center; descriptive identifying key below. Oblong folio, matted; plate mark, margins intact. New York, Harry H. Hymes

The death of General Montgomery

Hand-colored line-engraving by G. Terry after Burney; central group with dying general, horse, flag, combat scene in rocky landscape background. Hand-colored line-engraving by G. Terry after Burney; central group with dying general, horse, flag, combat scene in rocky landscape background. Oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed; clean. From Stationers Almanack, 1790. London, Parker Gallery, 1955.

The Death of General Gordon. (Khartoum--January 26th 1885)

Etching by H. Dicksee after Joy; Gordon, at top of gallery stairs, facing attacking Sudanese. Etching by H. Dicksee after Joy; Gordon, at top of gallery stairs, facing attacking Sudanese. Upright folio; margins; worn, creased. London, Parker Gallery, 1955.

The Death of General Abercrombie at the Battle of Alexandria, March 21, 1801

Hand-colored engraving by J. Taylor after Burney; Abercrombie falling off horse into arms of officer, other officers and soldiers milling about nearby, smoke and battle in background. Hand-colored engraving by J. Taylor after Burney; Abercrombie falling off horse into arms of officer, other officers and soldiers milling about nearby, smoke and battle in background. Oblong, matted; margins trimmed; soiled. London, Spencer, 1952.