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 Boot and Saddle galop

Subject: Troopers mounting horses near rural building,tent emcampment in distance; by and after Alfred Concanen. Subject: Troopers mounting horses near rural building,tent emcampment in distance; by and after Alfred Concanen. Title continues: By Karl Meyder. Played nightly at all the Nobilities Balls, and at the Drury Lane Theatre. 'Respectfully dedicated to Alfred Concanen, Esq.' Price 3/-

The bonny free flag: Dedicated to Maj. Genl. Jno. A. Logan by a member of his Staff

[written by W. C. Carroll], music arranged by Professor B. A. Whaples. Cover title. First line verse: The war-cry is up and our nation resounds, And our arms are all shining and bright. First line chorus: Then a song and a cheer for our Bonny free flag, WIth its Stars and its Stripes floating high. Cover lithograph design by Sarony, Major & Knapp: oval bust portrait of Gen. Logan, battle scene below titled "Fort Hill, Vicksburg,", draped flags, guns, mortars, etc. Advertisements for songs published by Endres & Compton on back cover.

The Bonnie blue flag

The Bonnie blue flag

Brown University

For voice and piano. Caption title. "Dedicated to the Confederate exiles in Europe."--Cover. Color lithographic illustration of crossed C.S.A. flags by Concanen, Lee & Siebe.

The Bonaparte family

The Bonaparte family

Brown University

Lithograph by Becquet; bust portraits of Napoleon, Josephine and Marie-Louise in center, 11 other bust portraits of Bonaparte family in uniform and court costume above and below; eagle at bottom. Top row, left to right: Lucien, Letizia (Madam Mère), Joseph; second row: Jerome, Hortense de Beauharnais, Caroline, Elisa, Pauline, Louis; third row: Josephine, Napoleon, Marie-Louise; fourth row: Duc of Reichstadt, Prince Eugène Lithograph by Becquet; bust portraits of Napoleon, Josephine and Marie-Louise in center, 11 other bust portraits of Bonaparte family in uniform and court costume above and below; eagle at bottom. Top row, left to right: Lucien, Letizia (Madam Mère), Joseph; second row: Jerome, Hortense de Beauharnais, Caroline, Elisa, Pauline, Louis; third row: Josephine, Napoleon, Marie-Louise; fourth row: Duc of Reichstadt, Prince Eugène Large upright folio, matted; margins intact; slightly soiled. Paris, Bihn, 1952. title provided by cataloger

The Bombardment of Copenhagen by the British Forces, 2nd to 5th September, 1807

Original watercolor signed by H. M(artens); soldiers and artillery pieces on sand-spit, burning city seen in distance across inlet, ships firing also in right background. Original watercolor signed by H. M(artens); soldiers and artillery pieces on sand-spit, burning city seen in distance across inlet, ships firing also in right background. Oblong folio, matted; no margins; clean. Title supplied by cataloger. London, Parker Gallery, 1951.

The bold dragoons

The bold dragoons

Brown University

Subject: Inset image of Dragoon officer with troop, main image showing dragoon holding hand of women, other mounted draoons and lancers behind, cheered on by civilians; W. Stannard [lith] Subject: Inset image of Dragoon officer with troop, main image showing dragoon holding hand of women, other mounted draoons and lancers behind, cheered on by civilians; W. Stannard [lith] Title continues: Vocal waltz written and composed by A.G. Crowe. 'Performed with enormous success at the promenande concerts Covent Garden Theatre'

The Bold Dragoon and the beautious (sic) Mrs. Flynn

Original ink caricature sketch signed and dated by G. S(heppard); soldier walking out with very short fat woman. Original ink caricature sketch signed and dated by G. S(heppard); soldier walking out with very short fat woman. Small upright folio, matted; margins; slightly soiled. N.Y., Rockman Prints,1949.

The Bolan Pass

The Bolan Pass

Brown University

Colored lithograph by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son after Lieut. J.F. Irwin; six soldiers wading through river in mountainous pass Colored lithograph by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son after Lieut. J.F. Irwin; six soldiers wading through river in mountainous pass Small oblong folio. London, Parker Gallery, 1965 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 Blues: The Royal Horse Guards, c. 1880

Five original unsigned composite watercolor drawings on 1 sheet, showing various orders of dress. Five original unsigned composite watercolor drawings on 1 sheet, showing various orders of dress. Upright medium folio, matted; margins; clean. Subtitle supplied by cataloger. London, Parker Gallery.

The Blues 1890

The Blues 1890

Brown University

Original unsigned watercolor (by Sharpe?) on gray paper; mounted uniform group in undress order. Original unsigned watercolor (by Sharpe?) on gray paper; mounted uniform group in undress order. Oblong; margins; clean. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1949.

The Blues

The Blues

Brown University

1st in collection of 4 colored aquatint plates after Heath, published Feby. 1, 1823; 3 standing uniform figures, showing front and rear views, smaller 4th figure in background. 1st in collection of 4 colored aquatint plates after Heath, published Feby. 1, 1823; 3 standing uniform figures, showing front and rear views, smaller 4th figure in background. Upright folio, matted; margins trimmed; soiled. London, Parker Gallery, 1951. Series title supplied by cataloger.

The Blue's quick step: as performed by the Boston Brass Band

Composed & respectfully dedicated to Capt. James Hunt, officers and members of the Light Infantry Company Winslow Blues, by John Holloway. For piano. Cover lithographic illustration of soldiers on a parade ground before tent encampment, portico of building on left, engraved by by Moore after G.L. Brown, lithographed by Moore's Lith.

The Blue's quick step: as performed by the Boston Brass Band

Composed & respectfully dedicated to Capt. James Hunt, officers and members of the Light Infantry Company Winslow Blues, by John Holloway. For piano. Cover lithographic illustration of soldiers on a parade ground before tent encampment, portico of building on left, engraved by by Moore after G.L. Brown, lithographed by Moore's Lith.

The blessings of paper money, or king a bad subject

In the center of this image, John Bull is seated on a close stool and is surrounded by political figures who alternately feed him, purge him, and bleed him. Although Bull raises his hand in protest, the figures persist in abusing his body. Among the purgatives he is forced to submit to are bleeding by leaches, and "remedies" designed to evacuate his bowels. To his right, Lord Stanhope, here a quack doctor, forces him to swallow a roll of paper inscribed "Bank Paper." In his waiting hand he holds another rolled sheet. Standing at Bull's left, Lord Percival also plies Bull with false cures. Percival is in turn threatened by Lord King who grasps Percival's thin ponytail in one hand and raises a sheaf of paper labeled "Lord King's Leases" in his other. The most obvious beneficiary of the purges and force-feeding imposed on Bull is Napoleon Bonaparte, who crouches behind Bull's stool and greedily appropriates a tri-colored chamber pot into which Bull has evacuated gold coins. At the left of the central scene, a judge, assisted by two demons, encourages a blazing fire beneath a large cauldron. Trapped inside the pot of hot water, two gentlemen wave their arms and exclaim loudly at the heat of the boiling water. In the distance, at the right of this scene, a tiny gibbet and pillory stand against the horizon. Britannia stands at the far right of this sheet and mourns the demise of Credit. Dressed in classical garb, she wears a long white robe and a golden breastplate and helmet and carries a spear and a shield marked with the cross of St. George. Britannia stretches her arm towards a large pile of "Bank Paper" that is being blown by a zephyr who 'puffs' at the peak of the pile. The head and an arm of Credit emerge from the bottom of the suffocating mountain of paper. In the center of this image, John Bull is seated on a close stool and is surrounded by political figures who alternately feed him, purge him, and bleed him. Although Bull raises his hand in protest, the figures persist in abusing his body. Among the purgatives he is forced to submit to are bleeding by leaches, and "remedies" designed to evacuate his bowels. To his right, Lord Stanhope, here a quack doctor, forces him to swallow a roll of paper inscribed "Bank Paper." In his waiting hand he holds another rolled sheet. Standing at Bull's left, Lord Percival also plies Bull with false cures. Percival is in turn threatened by Lord King who grasps Percival's thin ponytail in one hand and raises a sheaf of paper labeled "Lord King's Leases" in his other. The most obvious beneficiary of the purges and force-feeding imposed on Bull is Napoleon Bonaparte, who crouches behind Bull's stool and greedily appropriates a tri-colored chamber pot into which Bull has evacuated gold coins. At the left of the central scene, a judge, assisted by two demons, encourages a blazing fire beneath a large cauldron. Trapped inside the pot of hot water, two gentlemen wave their arms and exclaim loudly at the heat of the boiling water. In the distance, at the right of this scene, a tiny gibbet and pillory stand against the horizon. Britannia stands at the far right of this sheet and mourns the demise of Credit. Dressed in classical garb, she wears a long white robe and a golden breastplate and helmet and carries a spear and a shield marked with the cross of St. George. Britannia stretches her arm towards a large pile of "Bank Paper" that is being blown by a zephyr who 'puffs' at the peak of the pile. The head and an arm of Credit emerge from the bottom of the suffocating mountain of paper. Published by M. Jones. Mary George notes that this image was a plate from the 'Scourge,' ii, before p. 87. 1811-08-01 Caption: Pubd August 1st 1811 by M Jones 5 Newgate Street Dialogue: Figures in cauldron: "D__n it--it is as hot as Crown Count!!" "Yes! but not quite so hot as your house at Leicester!" Dialogue: Britannia: "Alas, poor Credit!" Label(s): The Combustible Knight and his Esquire in Hot Water

The Black Watch. Royal Highlanders: officer, review order

100th in series of 115 color prints of oil paintings, signed by Legras, of uniform figures from various military units; standing Highlander in scarlet highland uniform, holding claymore. 100th in series of 115 color prints of oil paintings, signed by Legras, of uniform figures from various military units; standing Highlander in scarlet highland uniform, holding claymore. Upright folio, unbound, in green portfolio with white label, "Etudes de types militaires"; clean.

The Black Watch: Royal Highlanders mounted officer

One of 2 original watercolors signed by Simkin and dated 10/1885 of a mounted uniform figure facing left. One of 2 original watercolors signed by Simkin and dated 10/1885 of a mounted uniform figure facing left. Matted together; clean. London, Parker Gallery.

The Black Watch: Royal Highlanders

One of two original watercolors signed by Simkin and dated 2/1886 of two standing uniform figures. One of two original watercolors signed by Simkin and dated 2/1886 of two standing uniform figures. One of 2 watercolors matted together; yellowed. London, Parker Gallery.

The Black Watch: Campaign dress, 1896

Original wash drawing signed and dated by Woodville; standing figure of soldier in campaign dress, large group of others in background. Original wash drawing signed and dated by Woodville; standing figure of soldier in campaign dress, large group of others in background. Drawn for Harper's Weekly and copyright 1897 by Harper & Brothers. Title supplied by cataloger. N.Y. Rockman Prints

The Black Watch, Royal Highlanders: private, marching order

101st in series of 115 <mods:subject> <mods:name type="corporate"> <mods:namePart>France. Armée. Troupes coloniales</mods:namePart> </mods:name> <mods:topic>Uniforms</mods:topic> </mods:subject> prints of oil paintings, signed by Legras, of uniform figures from various military units; standing Highlander in scarlet highland uniform, hand on hip, with grounded rifle. 101st in series of 115 <mods:subject> <mods:name type="corporate"> <mods:namePart>France. Armée. Troupes coloniales</mods:namePart> </mods:name> <mods:topic>Uniforms</mods:topic> </mods:subject> prints of oil paintings, signed by Legras, of uniform figures from various military units; standing Highlander in scarlet highland uniform, hand on hip, with grounded rifle. Upright folio, unbound, in green portfolio with white label, "Etudes de types militaires"; clean.

The Black Watch, a highland schottische

Subject: Standing figure of Black Watch officer with vignettes of crown regalia, shield, weapons, etc. in foreground, view of castle in background, with thistle decoration; H.G. Banks, impt, 60, Berwick St. W. Subject: Standing figure of Black Watch officer with vignettes of crown regalia, shield, weapons, etc. in foreground, view of castle in background, with thistle decoration; H.G. Banks, impt, 60, Berwick St. W. Title continues: Composed for the pianoforte by Leona Lacosta, composer of "La Coryphée", "Danse de Ballet," etc. Price 4/-

The Black Watch, a highland schottische

Subject: Standing figure of Black Watch officer with vignettes of crown regalia, shield, weapons, etc. in foreground, view of castle in background, with thistle decoration; H.G. Banks, impt, 60, Berwick St. W. Subject: Standing figure of Black Watch officer with vignettes of crown regalia, shield, weapons, etc. in foreground, view of castle in background, with thistle decoration; H.G. Banks, impt, 60, Berwick St. W. Title continues: Composed for the pianoforte by Leona Lacosta, composer of "La Coryphée", "Danse de Ballet," etc. Price 4/-

The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders): 42nd & 73rd Foot

Part of collection of 66 original signed oil paintings on fiber-board by Harry Payne for Gale & Polden postcards; drummer, bagpiper and infantryman standing together outdoors; note on verso : "no. 76, 8th set of infantry". Part of collection of 66 original signed oil paintings on fiber-board by Harry Payne for Gale & Polden postcards; drummer, bagpiper and infantryman standing together outdoors; note on verso : "no. 76, 8th set of infantry". Upright folio on board, unbound, in red portfolio stamped gold, "Original oil paintings for British regimental prints c. 1900-1910".

The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

61st 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); Highlander infantryman and bagpiper standing on country road; note on verso: "42nd". 61st 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); Highlander infantryman and bagpiper standing on country road; note on verso: "42nd". Oblong and upright, 61 pieces; a few soiled; in folio red cloth case, red leather label stamped gold. London, Francis Edwards, 1966.

The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)

Unsigned original watercolor by McNeill; Highland bagpiper and infantryman, both in kilts, outdoors. Title on verso. Unsigned original watercolor by McNeill; Highland bagpiper and infantryman, both in kilts, outdoors. Title on verso. Upright; no margins; stained.

The Black Horse Cavalry at Bull Run

One of a set of 6 small original watercolor sketches of battle scenes by Ogden. One of a set of 6 small original watercolor sketches of battle scenes by Ogden. Folio mats, unbound; in blue cloth portfolio stamped gold. New York, Milton L. Bernstein, 1947.

The Bivouac

The Bivouac

Brown University

Subject: Mounted and dismounted soldiers around a campfire by water in moonlight, tent encampment in distance; W. Spalding Lith., T. Packer Del & Imp. Subject: Mounted and dismounted soldiers around a campfire by water in moonlight, tent encampment in distance; W. Spalding Lith., T. Packer Del & Imp. Title continues: Morceau militaire. Musically illustrated by John Pridham. Solo 3/-, Duet 3/-

The Bivouac

The Bivouac

Brown University

One of a collection of 5 (of ?) numbered color lithograph plates of soldier scenes printed by W. Kohler; soldier standing warming himself by fire, two others seated, one smoking pipe, the other drinking from wooden canteen One of a collection of 5 (of ?) numbered color lithograph plates of soldier scenes printed by W. Kohler; soldier standing warming himself by fire, two others seated, one smoking pipe, the other drinking from wooden canteen Upright folio, matted; margins intact; soiled. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1949.