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

P. Kearney

P. Kearney

Brown University

Hand-colored steel-engraved plate from book after photograph by Brady; oval bust portrait of Kearney in uniform with scrolled enframement, vignette of battle below. Hand-colored steel-engraved plate from book after photograph by Brady; oval bust portrait of Kearney in uniform with scrolled enframement, vignette of battle below. Upright, matted small folio; margins intact; clean. Hanover, N.H., Book & Print Shop, 1956.

P. A. de Suffren

P. A. de Suffren

Brown University

Line- and stipple-engraving by S. Goulet after Fontaine; oval bust profile portrait in uniform and order. Line- and stipple-engraving by S. Goulet after Fontaine; oval bust profile portrait in uniform and order. Small upright folio, matted; plate mark, margins intact; clean. title: P. A. DE SUFFREN Grand-Croix de l'Ordre de St. Jean de Jerusalem, Chevalier des Ordres du Roi, Vice-Admiral de France, &c.&c. verse: L'amour de la Patrie est ta suprême loi, Tes talens à ton char enchainent la Victoire; Couronné de lauriers par les mains de ton Roi; Que peut-il maquer à ta gloire? caption: N. Fontaine ad victum del. caption: S. Goulet sculp. caption: A Paris chez Fontaine, rue de la Vielle Draperie près des Archis, Mon. de l'Epicier.

Oxfordshire Yeomanry: the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars

1st in set of 4 original watercolors signed (C.C.) by Clark; standing hussar in dark gray and purple uniform, looking toward right. 1st in set of 4 original watercolors signed (C.C.) by Clark; standing hussar in dark gray and purple uniform, looking toward right. Large, unbound, matted; margins; clean; in maroon cloth portfolio, stamped gold. London, Parker Gallery, 1949.

Oxfordshire Yeomanry: the Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars

2nd in set of 4 original watercolors signed (C.C.) by Clark; mounted hussar in dark gray and purple uniform, on country lane. 2nd in set of 4 original watercolors signed (C.C.) by Clark; mounted hussar in dark gray and purple uniform, on country lane. Large, unbound, matted; margins; clean; in maroon cloth portfolio, st. gold. London, Parker Gallery, 1949.

Oxford University Rifle Volunteers, 1864

Original unsigned watercolor (by Davidson); volunteers on firing-line during rifle practice, or skirmish during manoeuvers. Original unsigned watercolor (by Davidson); volunteers on firing-line during rifle practice, or skirmish during manoeuvers. Small oblong folio, matted; no margins; clean. London, Parker Gallery, 1964. title provided by cataloger

Oxford University Rifle Volunteers

Colored lithograph by and after Sharpe, printed by M. & N. Hanhart; uniform group, outdoors, University building in background. Colored lithograph by and after Sharpe, printed by M. & N. Hanhart; uniform group, outdoors, University building in background. Upright medium folio, mounted on white paper, matted; margins severely trimmed; clean. London, Parker Gallery, 1965.

Oxford Loyal Volunteer

Oxford Loyal Volunteer

Brown University

Hand-colored stipple engraving published by T. Taylor, Jan. 1, 1799; standing uniform figure with grounded musket. Hand-colored stipple engraving published by T. Taylor, Jan. 1, 1799; standing uniform figure with grounded musket. The Volunteer Act of 1794 (extended 1799) saw the creation of the Oxford University Volunteers and the Oxford City Volunteers. On June 4, 1799, they were among 8,000 enthusiastic part-time soldiers who marched past King George III in a birthday parade in Hyde Park, London. London, Parker Gallery, 1965.

Owen's quick step

Owen's quick step

Brown University

composed and arranged by Isaac J. Shaw ; performed by Kendall's Brass Band, dedicated to Lieut. David Owen, and the officers & members of the Montgomery True Blues by S. Swan. Cover lith. ill. by Thayer showing small figures in uniform with artillery piece in city square.

Owen Gwyn Saunders Davies. Lieutenant 38th Regiment. Fell at the Redan June 18, 1855

Color lithograph by J. Lane after Brigstocke, printed by Hanhart; 3/4-length portrait seated, outdoors, in uniform, hat on ledge at left. Color lithograph by J. Lane after Brigstocke, printed by Hanhart; 3/4-length portrait seated, outdoors, in uniform, hat on ledge at left. Medium upright folio, matted; margins slightly trimmed; clean. London, Parker Gallery, 1966.

Overthrow of the Arts!

Overthrow of the Arts!

Brown University

Hand-colored etched caricature by Barlow after Collings. 'French soldiers with fixed bayonets and drawn swords have entered an artist's studio. Of five terror-stricken painters one lies beneath a fallen canvas; a soldier tramples on an overturned easel and canvas which he is about to pierce with his bayonet. On the canvas is a Madonna and Child. Quasi-antique busts and statues are on a high shelf. The verses relate that a nest of aristocrats, working in secret, having been denounced in the National Assembly, troops were dispatched headed by Lafayette. They found: 'But meagre sons of paint! This copying some Madonna, that some saint, Originals for Desenfans to puff, Assisted by an English auctioneer, Right Raffaele, Angelo and Titian stuff! -- British Museum Hand-colored etched caricature by Barlow after Collings. 'French soldiers with fixed bayonets and drawn swords have entered an artist's studio. Of five terror-stricken painters one lies beneath a fallen canvas; a soldier tramples on an overturned easel and canvas which he is about to pierce with his bayonet. On the canvas is a Madonna and Child. Quasi-antique busts and statues are on a high shelf. The verses relate that a nest of aristocrats, working in secret, having been denounced in the National Assembly, troops were dispatched headed by Lafayette. They found: 'But meagre sons of paint! This copying some Madonna, that some saint, Originals for Desenfans to puff, Assisted by an English auctioneer, Right Raffaele, Angelo and Titian stuff! -- British Museum Small oblong; margins severely trimmed; creased, yellowed. New York, Walter Schatzki, 1966 Caption: Published as the act directs, by Bentley & Co., March 1, 1791

Overtaken in a hurricane in Jamaica, 1812

Unsigned watercolor showing three men in a carriage struggling to stay above the water, Jamaican (slave?) falling in the water, trees blowing. From an Album of Original Military and other Drawings and Water-colors (https://bruknow.library.brown.edu/permalink/01BU_INST/ompo24/alma991015799599706966) Unsigned watercolor showing three men in a carriage struggling to stay above the water, Jamaican (slave?) falling in the water, trees blowing. From an Album of Original Military and other Drawings and Water-colors (https://bruknow.library.brown.edu/permalink/01BU_INST/ompo24/alma991015799599706966) Small upright folio. Camden, ME, Staack, 1954. 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/)

Over there

Over there

Brown University

by George M. Cohan. For voice and piano. Caption title. Advertisement for "Cotton pickin' time in Alabam": p. [4] Cover illustration: photograph of Wm. J. Reilly, U.S.N. Reilly, a U.S. Navy sailor stationed on the battleship U.S.S. Michigan, was also a popular singer.

Over there

Over there

Brown University

words and music by George M. Cohan. For voice and piano. Cover title. Introduced by: Nora Bayes. Advertisement for "If I catch the guy who wrote Poor butterfly": p. [4] Cover illustration: photograph of Nora Bayes; cover design / Barbelle.

Ouverture de la Tranchée

One, of ?, engravings by Martin Englebrecht after Rigaud; (views of besieging troops outside walled city. Title and text printed below in French and German. One, of ?, engravings by Martin Englebrecht after Rigaud; (views of besieging troops outside walled city. Title and text printed below in French and German. Oblong medium folio, mounted on grey paper, plate mark, margins. Hamburg, Schulz, 1952. subtitle provided by cataloger Caption: J. Rigaud inv. Caption: Mart Engelbrecht excud. Aug. Vind Number: 1 Title: Ouverture de La Tranchée . Caption: On ouvre ordinairement la Tranchée en lieu a Couvert du Canon, la Cavalerie y aporte les facines, d'ou les travailleurs comandez par detachements les prenent avec des piquets, et outils, come pic, proche, pesle, selon qu'il Convient par raport au terrain, pour les porter ou les Ingenieurs qui sont de tranchée les Conduisent, et les placent d'alignement pour former les tranchées. ils sont soutenus par des grenadiers postez fort pres, et par des corps d'infanterie pr. repoucer les sorties. on place de la Cavellerie derriere quelque Coteau maison s'ily en a aportée. Lors qu'il se trouve quelque poste avancé gardé par des troupes on le fait attaquer Brusquement, et on s'en sert utilement pour faire un entrepost pour les blessez et pour les munitions de guerre. On a pris plusieurs sujets d'un des Sieges de Barcellonne, et represanté les Veues de cette place. Title: Die Er÷ffnung der Tranchee oder Lauff-Grabens. Caption: Man er÷ffnet gemeiniglich die Tranchée, oder den Lauff-Graben an einem solchen Ort, welcher vor denen Canonen bedeckt ist. Die Cavalerie bringt die Faschmen dahin, alwo die Arbeiter, welche durch ein Detachement dahin sind commandiret worden, solch annehman, nebst denen Piquen und Werckzeuge, nehmlich Hacke, Bickel, Shauffel, und dergleichen, nachdem das Erdreich daselbst beschaffen ist. Dann werden sie von denen Ingenieurs, so in dem Lauff-Graben sind, dahin geführt, allwo sie das Erdreich zu neuen Lauff-Graben abgemessen haben. Diese werden von denen Grenadirern unterstützt, welche nicht weit davon poltiret [?] sinn, und durch ein Corpo von der Infanterie um die Ausfallende zurück zu treiben. Die Keuferen poltiret man hinter einen Hügel, oder Gebaüde, wenn dergleichen allda zu finden. Läst sich ein feindlicher Vor-Troup sehen, greifft man solchen behertzt an. Des Gebäudes bedienet man sich vor die Blefsirfen [?] und Kriegs-Munition. Man hat hier viel Anlass genomen von einer der Belagerungen der Stadt Barcellona, deren Prospect allhier zu sehen ist.

Outside the main gate of the imperial palace, Tokyo, Japan

1 unsigned watercolor ; American sentry and bowing Japanese soldier. 1 unsigned watercolor ; American sentry and bowing Japanese soldier. Ink note on verso: 'Outside the main gate of the imperial palace, Tokyo, Japan. No one uses this gate but the Emperor. All people passing him bow. This depicts a defeated returned Jap officer paying his respects. Painted Dec. 3, 1945.' Gift of Gail Caddell, 2015. Caddell trained in a topographical unit at Mitchell Field, Long Island, NY. He served with the Army Air Corps in New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan from 1944 until 1946. 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/)

Outside Dai-Ichi Bldg,, Tokyo: MacArthur limo, 1946

Original pencil sketch, signed and dated by Murphy, of a limousine and people outside of the Dai-Ichi building in Japan which was used as the American headquarters; ink studies of Japanese soldiers on verso. Original pencil sketch, signed and dated by Murphy, of a limousine and people outside of the Dai-Ichi building in Japan which was used as the American headquarters; ink studies of Japanese soldiers on verso. Murphy joined the New York 7th Regiment in 1940 and trained at Camp Stewart, Georgia. He sailed to Australia in 1943 and served on General MacArthur's staff. Later he went to New Guinea and the Philippines before moving on to Japan following the surrender.

Ousta, premier chef des Jakas

One of a collection of 30 original watercolors of costume figures including many showing military costume and court costume. Figure in red and brown coat holding two swords. One of a collection of 30 original watercolors of costume figures including many showing military costume and court costume. Figure in red and brown coat holding two swords. Folio, unbound, in red cloth case, green leather backstrip stamped gold; clean.

Ousdene ou noble Tcherkasse

2nd in collection of 4 colored plates after Karnejeff, printed by Adam & Gross; uniform figure of Circassian warrior wearing sabre, mountainous landscape background. From 'Les peuples de la Russie, ou description des moeurs, usages et costumes des diverses nations de l’Empire de Russie', by Karl, Graf von Rechberg und Rothenlöwen. Paris: D. Colas, 1812-13. [See: https://envisioning-alaska.org/authors/korneev-emelian-mikhailovich] 2nd in collection of 4 colored plates after Karnejeff, printed by Adam & Gross; uniform figure of Circassian warrior wearing sabre, mountainous landscape background. From 'Les peuples de la Russie, ou description des moeurs, usages et costumes des diverses nations de l’Empire de Russie', by Karl, Graf von Rechberg und Rothenlöwen. Paris: D. Colas, 1812-13. [See: https://envisioning-alaska.org/authors/korneev-emelian-mikhailovich] Upright folio, matted; margins intact; clean.

Our three lines of national defense

Poster showing a battleship, an industrial cityscape, and military personnel behind an American flag. Title continues: The smoke of America's factory stacks is a signal of our workers' and employers' loyalty. It means more guns - more ships - more food. Our industries are the third and main supporting line of defense - our base of supplies. Without them the Army and Navy would be helpless. As good patriots let us strive to keep our industries strong. Poster showing a battleship, an industrial cityscape, and military personnel behind an American flag. Title continues: The smoke of America's factory stacks is a signal of our workers' and employers' loyalty. It means more guns - more ships - more food. Our industries are the third and main supporting line of defense - our base of supplies. Without them the Army and Navy would be helpless. As good patriots let us strive to keep our industries strong. Upright folio.

Our soldier prince

Our soldier prince

Brown University

Color lithograph caricature after Spy, lithograph by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son; full-length profile figure in uniform. Color lithograph caricature after Spy, lithograph by Vincent Brooks, Day & Son; full-length profile figure in uniform. Upright folio; margins intact; yellowed.

Our Rifles are ready, look out!

Subject: central illustration of uniform group of various volunteers surrounded by border with 10 small vignettes of uniform groups and figures. Subject: central illustration of uniform group of various volunteers surrounded by border with 10 small vignettes of uniform groups and figures. Title continues: The poetry by Martin F. Tupper; the music by G.A. Macfarren. No. 1123-4 - Musical Treasury.

Our Navy

Our Navy

Brown University

One of a pair of color lithograph plates by Minister & Co.; Navy shows 31 uniforms figures, including some rear views. [See also 'Our Army'.] One of a pair of color lithograph plates by Minister & Co.; Navy shows 31 uniforms figures, including some rear views. [See also 'Our Army'.] Giant oblong folio, matted; margins; clean. London, Parker Gallery, 1963.

Our national defence! Drelling (sic) volunteers. Plate 1

One of a pair of hand-colored engraved caricature plates; comic figures in militia drill, by and after Marks. One of a pair of hand-colored engraved caricature plates; comic figures in militia drill, by and after Marks. Small oblong folio, matted together; margins intact; yellowed and worn. London, Spencer, 1955.

Our national Confederate anthem: God save the South

the text by Ernest Halpin ; composed by C.T. de ̈Cœniel, Richmond, Va. Cover title. Song; for voice and piano. 'Published by the composer and may be had at his residence Grace St. cor 1st & of all the principal book and music stores in the Confederacy. Ernest Halpin (i.e. Earnest Halphin) is a pseudonym of George H. Miles--Cf. Crandall. First line of text: God save the South. Cover lithographic illustration by E. Crehen : Confederate soldier kneeling on a battlefield holding a Confederate flag containing the words "God save the South"

Our generals' quickstep: as performed by the 7th Reg't. National Guard

by C.S. Grafulla. For piano. Caption title. Title on title page: Our generals' grand march. Color Illustration: oblong scene of generals on horseback; they are identified by a caption below the lithograph / lith. by Crow, Thomas & Co. "Engvd. at Clayton's"--Bottom of page 7.