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 camp polka

The camp polka

Brown University

Subject: Officers dancing with young ladies near tent encampment in the countryside. Subject: Officers dancing with young ladies near tent encampment in the countryside. Title continues: By W. Youens. 'And may be had of Wood & Co. Edinburgh, & J.M. Wood & Co. Glasgow' Price 2/-

The Camp of the Foreign Legion, near Hythe

Color lithograph by T. Picken, printed by Day & Son; view of large tent encampment on grassy hillside, showing numerous small soldier figures and formations. Color lithograph by T. Picken, printed by Day & Son; view of large tent encampment on grassy hillside, showing numerous small soldier figures and formations. Small oblong folio, matted; margins intact; edges soiled. London, Parker Gallery, 1950.

The camp laundry

The camp laundry

Brown University

British officer looking at two women washing laundry in a stream by trees on the edge of a camp. British officer looking at two women washing laundry in a stream by trees on the edge of a camp. Matted; clean. "London, printed for R. Sayer and J. Bennett, map & printsellers, No. 53 Fleet Street, as the act directs, 14 Feb. 1782" Stow-on-the-Wold, Christopher Clarke Antiques, 2004

The camp at quarantine

The camp at quarantine

Brown University

Drummer boy talking to soldier near tents; on verso a study of woman with children. Drummer boy talking to soldier near tents; on verso a study of woman with children. "Small drummer boy of the 8th Regiment - to big Staten Islander - 'I say old chap! If you go to work burning down any more buildings, we'll give you fits - I know I'll be on hand for one!'".

The camp at Chobham: Soldier. "If you please, Sir, it's five o'clock, and I've brought your shaving water."

Original ink drawing on paper by John Leech (?); officer seated in tent holding a comb and brush; soldier standing at the salute holding bucket of steaming water, with the initials VR inscribed on the side; head of horse poking through tent. Original ink drawing on paper by John Leech (?); officer seated in tent holding a comb and brush; soldier standing at the salute holding bucket of steaming water, with the initials VR inscribed on the side; head of horse poking through tent. Published in Punch, June 18, 1853, page 245. Stow-on-the-Wold, Christopher Clarke Antiques, 2006

The camp

The camp

Brown University

Subject: Review being watched by Queen Victoria; J. Brandard, M. & N. Hanhart. Subject: Review being watched by Queen Victoria; J. Brandard, M. & N. Hanhart. Title continues: A descriptive piece for the piano forte by Charles W. Glover.

The Cameronians, c.1882

The Cameronians, c.1882

Brown University

Original watercolor signed by Norie of one mounted and 4 standing uniform figures, white tents in background. Original watercolor signed by Norie of one mounted and 4 standing uniform figures, white tents in background. Oblong folio, matted; some discoloration around edges. Title supplied by cataloger. London, Parker Gallery.

The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

32nd 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 standing uniform figures in green jackets, standing on rocks, looking out at hills; note on verso: "26th". 32nd 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 standing uniform figures in green jackets, standing on rocks, looking out at hills; note on verso: "26th". Oblong and upright, 61 pieces; a few soiled; in folio red cloth case, red leather label st. gold. London, Francis Edwards, 1966.

The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)

Unsigned original watercolor by McNeill; 2 infantrymen in dark green jackets, tartan trousers, standing on rocky ridge. Title on verso. Unsigned original watercolor by McNeill; 2 infantrymen in dark green jackets, tartan trousers, standing on rocky ridge. Title on verso. Upright; no margins; stained.

The Cameronians

The Cameronians

Brown University

Original watercolor and gouache(?) caricature signed by G.H.B.; full-length uniform figure facing left. Original watercolor and gouache(?) caricature signed by G.H.B.; full-length uniform figure facing left. Small upright folio, matted; margins; paint cracked and some flaked off. London, Parker Gallery, 1953.

The Cameron Highlanders charging at Tel-el-Kebir

Color oil print after Turner; Highlanders in foreground charging over plain toward Egyptians in right distance, other troops advancing in left background. Color oil print after Turner; Highlanders in foreground charging over plain toward Egyptians in right distance, other troops advancing in left background. Giant oblong folio, matted; no margins; clean. London, Parker Gallery, 1965. title provided by cataloger

The camels are comin'. Hurrah! Hurrah!

Color lithograph caricature plate after Tom Merry (pseudonym of William Mecham), printed by Gilbert & Rivington, published September 27th, 1884; troops on camels riding through desert. [See also: How we started for Khartoum.] Color lithograph caricature plate after Tom Merry (pseudonym of William Mecham), printed by Gilbert & Rivington, published September 27th, 1884; troops on camels riding through desert. [See also: How we started for Khartoum.] Oblong folio; margins intact; matted; slight soiling. N.Y., Rockman, 1955.

The call

The call

Brown University

Lith. by and after Brangwyn; soldier seen from behind, with his hand on shoulder of guilty-looking (malingering?) civilian man; similar 2nd civilian behind them at left, crowd of pedestrians in background. Lith. by and after Brangwyn; soldier seen from behind, with his hand on shoulder of guilty-looking (malingering?) civilian man; similar 2nd civilian behind them at left, crowd of pedestrians in background. Upright large folio; margins trimmed; edges frayed.

The California Regiment grand quick step

composed by A. Wallerstein. For piano. Caption title: Grand quick step of the California Regiment, op. 138. "Respectfully dedicated to Col. R. Penn Smith, of the California or 71st Pa. Vol." Tinted lithographic illustration: oval bust portrait of Col. Smith / T. Sinclair's Lith.

The Cadet Corps galop

The Cadet Corps galop

Brown University

Subject: child volunteer corps drilling in countryside, mansion in distance; R.J. Hamerton; Stannard & Dixon. Subject: child volunteer corps drilling in countryside, mansion in distance; R.J. Hamerton; Stannard & Dixon. Title continues: By C.W. Smith. Pr. 3/- 'Dedicated to Miss Danson'

The Cadet barracks &c. &c. Woolwich. Effect of morning.

One of a pair of unsigned watercolors of views of the Royal Academy, Woolwich, being apparently the originals from which aquatints were copied by James Pattison Cockburn, and accompanied by separate manuscript label: 'R.R. Reinagle Delt. Septbr. 1815'. One of a pair of unsigned watercolors of views of the Royal Academy, Woolwich, being apparently the originals from which aquatints were copied by James Pattison Cockburn, and accompanied by separate manuscript label: 'R.R. Reinagle Delt. Septbr. 1815'. Oblong folio, matted; no margins; clean. London, Parker Gallery, 1964.

The C.I.V's at Jacobsdal, February, 1900

Sepia photogravure after Wright, dated 1900 by artist; riflemen in battle at edge of village showing City Imperial Volunteers. Sepia photogravure after Wright, dated 1900 by artist; riflemen in battle at edge of village showing City Imperial Volunteers. Oblong folio, matted; plate mark, margins intact; clean. London, Parker Gallery, 1960.

The Burying Ground, Jellalabad, Dec. 1878

Wash and watercolor signed by Simpson; open ground in front of building with locals sitting and standing around. From an album compiled by Simpson entitled 'Original sketches made in Afghanistan during the campaign of 1878-79 with the Peshawer Field Force'. Published in the Illustrated London News, September 13, 1879 Wash and watercolor signed by Simpson; open ground in front of building with locals sitting and standing around. From an album compiled by Simpson entitled 'Original sketches made in Afghanistan during the campaign of 1878-79 with the Peshawer Field Force'. Published in the Illustrated London News, September 13, 1879 Large upright folio. London, Spencer, 1953. Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection, Brown University Library Digital object made available by: Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts, Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

The burning of the United States steam frigate Missouri, at Gibraltar Aug. 26th 1843

Color lithograph by Day & Son after Duncan, from sketch by Lt. T.G. Mends; sailors and officers in longboats watching flaming ship. Color lithograph by Day & Son after Duncan, from sketch by Lt. T.G. Mends; sailors and officers in longboats watching flaming ship. Oblong folio, matted; margins; slightly soiled. Chicago, Kenneth Nebenzahl, 1968.

The burial of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, 11th November, 1920. "And they laid him anong the Kings."

1 photogravure; group of military officers and King George V looking at coffin being blessed by clergyman in abbey 1 photogravure; group of military officers and King George V looking at coffin being blessed by clergyman in abbey Oblong medium folio. London, David Cohen Fine Art, 2004. Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection, Brown University Library Digital object made available by: Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts, Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

The burial of the late General Anderson at West Point Cemetery

Wood-engraved illustration after Fox; burial scene with numerous small figures. From Harper's Weekly, April 20th, 1872, page 308 Wood-engraved illustration after Fox; burial scene with numerous small figures. From Harper's Weekly, April 20th, 1872, page 308 Small oblong folio, matted; margins. Hanover, N.H., Book & Print Shop, 1954.

The Bugle call polka

The Bugle call polka

Brown University

Subject: Grenadier Guards bandsman blowing bugle with tents and other guardsmen in background; Stannard & Son, Lith. Subject: Grenadier Guards bandsman blowing bugle with tents and other guardsmen in background; Stannard & Son, Lith. Title continues: By May Ostlere. Price 2/- net.

The Buffs--Royal East Kent Regiment--1571-1900: Composite

Original watercolor drawings on tan board, signed by Simkin; uniform group and figures showing uniforms of 1572, 1688, 1742, 1751, 1768, 1792, 1814, 1826, 1844, 1852, 1864, 1892, 1900. Original watercolor drawings on tan board, signed by Simkin; uniform group and figures showing uniforms of 1572, 1688, 1742, 1751, 1768, 1792, 1814, 1826, 1844, 1852, 1864, 1892, 1900. Large upright folio, matted. Title supplied by cataloger. London, Parker Gallery, 1970.

The Buffs--East Kent Regiment--Colour Sergeant, 1910

Original watercolor signed by Simkin; standing uniform figure. Original watercolor signed by Simkin; standing uniform figure. Upright; matted; margins; somewhat faded; surface dirt and glue residue at top. London, Parker Gallery. Title supplied by cataloger.

The Buffs 1686

The Buffs 1686

Brown University

One of a collection of 31 original gouache paintings of uniform figures signed Hudson or Cedric. Figure in red, right hand on hip, left hand holding rifle. One of a collection of 31 original gouache paintings of uniform figures signed Hudson or Cedric. Figure in red, right hand on hip, left hand holding rifle. Unbound; in red cloth portfolio stamped gold. London, Parker Gallery, 1961

The Buffs (East Kent Regt.): 3rd Foot

Part of collection of 66 original signed oil paintings on fiber-board by Harry Payne for Gale & Polden postcards; infantryman with shouldered arms facing officer in field, line of infantrymen in right background; note on verso : "third set of 6, not. 38". Part of collection of 66 original signed oil paintings on fiber-board by Harry Payne for Gale & Polden postcards; infantryman with shouldered arms facing officer in field, line of infantrymen in right background; note on verso : "third set of 6, not. 38". Upright folio on board, unbound, in red portfolio stamped gold, "Original oil paintings for British regimental prints c. 1900-1910".

The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)

15th 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 standing uniform figures of infantryman and officer, in red jackets, at building entry. 15th 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 standing uniform figures of infantryman and officer, in red jackets, at building entry. Oblong and upright, 61 pieces; a few soiled; in folio red cloth case, red leather label st. gold. London, Francis Edwards, 1966.

The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)

Original watercolor sketch signed by McNeill; officer and infantryman, in red jackets, helmets, standing in doorway. (On oblong sheet, right half unpainted; title on verso.) Original watercolor sketch signed by McNeill; officer and infantryman, in red jackets, helmets, standing in doorway. (On oblong sheet, right half unpainted; title on verso.) Oblong folio; no margins; clean.