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

U.S. Militia group, c. 1855

Hand-colored original photograph of 6 members of unidentified militia body. Hand-colored original photograph of 6 members of unidentified militia body. Oblong medium folio, matted; no margins; faded, light soiling. Title supplied by cataloger. Washington, D.C., H.W. Williams, 1961.

U.S. Marines holding Camp McCalla, Guantanamo, Cuba

Original watercolor signed and dated by Home; marines on guard in trench near coastline, artillery in background. Original watercolor signed and dated by Home; marines on guard in trench near coastline, artillery in background. Oblong folio, matted; no margins; clean. title provided by cataloger Dedham, MA, Henry Hornblower, 2005

U.S. Marine running with rifle

Original ink drawing on onionskin paper, signed and dated by Dugmore; U.S. soldier with rifle, running outdoors. Original ink drawing on onionskin paper, signed and dated by Dugmore; U.S. soldier with rifle, running outdoors. Dugmore enlisted in the USMC in April 1943. His first military pictures were painted at Parris Island, South Carolina, including a mural in the Officer's Club. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1944.

U.S. Light Artillery Sergeant, c. 1870

Original ink drawing initialed by R.F. Z(ogbaum); mounted figure in foreground, smaller figures of soldiers and artillery wagons in background. Original ink drawing initialed by R.F. Z(ogbaum); mounted figure in foreground, smaller figures of soldiers and artillery wagons in background. Matted; margins intact. N.Y., Edward Eberstadt, 1954. title provided by cataloger

U.S. infantryman advancing, 1864

Original watercolor (slightly crude) signed and dated by Mu(ller) K.; infantryman in greatcoat, carrying rifle, moving toward right. Original watercolor (slightly crude) signed and dated by Mu(ller) K.; infantryman in greatcoat, carrying rifle, moving toward right. Upright; no margins. N.Y., Rockman, 1964. title provided by cataloger

U.S. Grant and his family

Sepia photograph of engraving (by A.B. Walter after painting by E. B. Bensell, and portraits from photograph by H. Ulke); Grant in uniform, seated on portico his wife Julia Dent Grant, oldest son Frederick at left in cadet uniform, Ulysses S. Jr ("Buck") in suit, Ellen ("Nellie"), and young Jesse, U.S. Capitol visible in distance. Sepia photograph of engraving (by A.B. Walter after painting by E. B. Bensell, and portraits from photograph by H. Ulke); Grant in uniform, seated on portico his wife Julia Dent Grant, oldest son Frederick at left in cadet uniform, Ulysses S. Jr ("Buck") in suit, Ellen ("Nellie"), and young Jesse, U.S. Capitol visible in distance. Oval upright, mounted on board; margins intact; yellowed, corner torn. New York, Argosy, 1954.

U.S. Employment Service, 82 Mathewson Street, Providence, R.I.

Soldier carrying honorable discharge certificate, approaching door with sign 'Bureau for Returning Soldiers and Sailors - Walk in', left foot on mat with word 'Welcome'; adjacent sign reads 'U.S. Employment Service and Co-operating agencies.' Soldier carrying honorable discharge certificate, approaching door with sign 'Bureau for Returning Soldiers and Sailors - Walk in', left foot on mat with word 'Welcome'; adjacent sign reads 'U.S. Employment Service and Co-operating agencies.' Upright folio.

U.S. Dragoons, cutting their way through a Mexican ambuscade

Color lithograph; combat scene, different figures and arrangement of composition from lithograph with same title. Color lithograph; combat scene, different figures and arrangement of composition from lithograph with same title. Small oblong folio, matted; margins; in large blue folio titled 'Mexican War Scenes.'

U.S. Declaration of Independence: illuminated copy, 1950

Color print enclosing printed text of Declaration of Independence with ornamental border after Szyk; also some vignettes in text, exhibiting historical and military scenes, portraits, state and early American flags, etc. Color print enclosing printed text of Declaration of Independence with ornamental border after Szyk; also some vignettes in text, exhibiting historical and military scenes, portraits, state and early American flags, etc. Large upright folio, matted giant folio; margins intact. Philadelphia, McManus, 1953. title provided by cataloger

U.S. cavalryman with flag, c. 1861

Color print of original signed watercolor by Lelièpvre; mounted U.S. cavalryman carrying U.S. flag, facing left near broken wagon wheel, 2 smaller cavalry figures in background. Color print of original signed watercolor by Lelièpvre; mounted U.S. cavalryman carrying U.S. flag, facing left near broken wagon wheel, 2 smaller cavalry figures in background. Upright large folio, matted; narrow margins; clean. title provided by cataloger

U.S. Army trucks, c. 1943

Original ink sketch signed and dated by Stevenson; close-up view of truck grill and front fender, side view of smaller truck in background. Original ink sketch signed and dated by Stevenson; close-up view of truck grill and front fender, side view of smaller truck in background. Stevenson enlisted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in July 1941. He was one of the original soldier-artists at Fort Belvoir, VA. before accepting a position as a war artist in May 1943. In 1944 he was in southern England covering the preparations for the Normandy invasion and later depicted war damage in France and Germany. Gift of the artist, 1994. title provided by cataloger

U.S. Army tank in Germany, 1945

Original ink sketch on thin notepaper, signed and dated by Stevenson; rear view of U.S. Army tank, moving forward through rain on soaked field; silhouette of soldier riding on top. Original ink sketch on thin notepaper, signed and dated by Stevenson; rear view of U.S. Army tank, moving forward through rain on soaked field; silhouette of soldier riding on top. Oblong; no margins; slight creasing on upper edge. Stevenson enlisted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in July 1941. He was one of the original soldier-artists at Fort Belvoir, VA. before accepting a position as a war artist in May 1943. In 1944 he was in southern England covering the preparations for the Normandy invasion and later depicted war damage in France and Germany. Gift of the artist 1994.

U.S. Army soldier seated at table, c. 1945

Original ink drawing, signed by artist; profile view of soldier in cap seated at table, facing left, holding small card or paper. Original ink drawing, signed by artist; profile view of soldier in cap seated at table, facing left, holding small card or paper. Oblong small folio; no margins; clean.

U.S. Army parade or military review, c. 1899

Original black-and-white photo stamped and dated by Chickering; military band and troop of infantry, in spiked helmets, under American flag, assembled facing left on grounds of large white building in background. Original black-and-white photo stamped and dated by Chickering; military band and troop of infantry, in spiked helmets, under American flag, assembled facing left on grounds of large white building in background. Large oblong photograph; margins trimmed; clean. title provided by cataloger New York, Walter Schatzki, 1952

U.S. Army camp scene : the officer's dream: "It's not only bullets that wound."

Colored lithograph by Grignard Litho. Co. after Christy; officer reading letter by campfire with vision of young woman in ball gown seated at left. Colored lithograph by Grignard Litho. Co. after Christy; officer reading letter by campfire with vision of young woman in ball gown seated at left. Oblong medium folio; no margins. Charleston, S.C., Schindler, 1952. title provided by cataloger

U.S. Army calls: a military quadrille

composed by Robert Stoepel. For piano. "Inscribed to the officers & members of the 7th regt. N.Y.S.M. National Guard." Cover lithographic illustration by Sarony, Major & Knapp: 3 soldiers on guard duty outdoors in snowy landscape. "All the Calls in this quadrille are strictly in accordance with the Army Regulations of the U.S."--title page

Tyrolese soldiers, c. 1859

2nd of pair of colored lithographic plates by and after Armani; 3 uniform figures, with rifles and sword. 2nd of pair of colored lithographic plates by and after Armani; 3 uniform figures, with rifles and sword. Upright folio, 2 prints [cf. AuU1859f-1a]; margins entirely trimmed away; clean. Vienna, Christian Nebehay, 1956. Title supplied by cataloger

Tyrolese soldiers, c. 1859

1st of pair of colored lithographic plates by and after Armani; 3 standing uniform figures, with swords and rifle. 1st of pair of colored lithographic plates by and after Armani; 3 standing uniform figures, with swords and rifle. Upright, 2 prints [cf. AuU1859f-1b]; margins entirely trimmed away; clean. Vienna, Christian Nebehay, 1956. Title supplied by cataloger

Typical Nipponese sniper box.

Original pen and ink sketch, signed by Reeks, of a Marine standing next to a Nipponese sniper box. Original pen and ink sketch, signed by Reeks, of a Marine standing next to a Nipponese sniper box. Title from typed label affixed to verso. It continues: " This type in particular was most difficult to see and the result was heavy casualties in the process of elimination." Censor's stamp. Reeks joined the USMC in 1941 and saw action on Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Bougainville and Saipan. He was the only official combat artist to land on Iwo Jima with the invasion force and spent thirty days on the island sketching the campaign.

Types of the British Army and Navy. The officers of the Royal Navy. XIX

One of 2 color plates after Dadd of uniform groups (from The Graphic?). [See also: Petty officers and seamen of the Royal Navy]. One of 2 color plates after Dadd of uniform groups (from The Graphic?). [See also: Petty officers and seamen of the Royal Navy]. Oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed.

Types of the Belgian army, 1912

Original watercolor signed by Simkin; group of nine uniformed figures mounted and dismounted standing before the Lion Hill at Waterloo battlefield. Original watercolor signed by Simkin; group of nine uniformed figures mounted and dismounted standing before the Lion Hill at Waterloo battlefield.

Types of Indian dress

Types of Indian dress

Brown University

Albumen print photograph; half-length portrait of moustached Indian man, with head shaven, wearing lightweight jacket, dark turban, facing right. Albumen print photograph; half-length portrait of moustached Indian man, with head shaven, wearing lightweight jacket, dark turban, facing right. No. 6507 Upright small folio; no margins; slightly stained.

Tyler's quick step

Tyler's quick step

Brown University

composed by David Perry ; arranged for the piano forte by S.R. Leland. Cover lith. ill. by Thayer of militia review in town street.

Two-horse sleigh with driver in brown coat

2nd in collection of 7 (of 30) colored lithographic plates of wagons, sleighs, etc.; small 2-horse sleigh, with driver in brown coat, military passenger in gray uniform, riding toward left. 2nd in collection of 7 (of 30) colored lithographic plates of wagons, sleighs, etc.; small 2-horse sleigh, with driver in brown coat, military passenger in gray uniform, riding toward left. Unbound; in green cloth portfolio, red leather label stamped gold; slightly soiled or worn. title provided by cataloger

Two wounded French soldiers

One of a collection of 16 original matted pencil sketches heightened with chalk, stamped with monogram of E(rnest) C(rofts). Two soldiers, probably wounded, sitting on ground. Study for painting One of a collection of 16 original matted pencil sketches heightened with chalk, stamped with monogram of E(rnest) C(rofts). Two soldiers, probably wounded, sitting on ground. Study for painting Folio, unbound, matted; in maroon portfolio stamped gold; clean. N.Y., Argosy, 1965.

Two wonders of the world, or A specimen of a new troop of Leicestershire Light Horse: Mr. Daniel Lambert who at the A...

Hand-colored etched caricature (printed for Williams), published May 1806; small figure of Bonaparte at left terrified by gigantic yeomanry cavalryman on enormous horse. Hand-colored etched caricature (printed for Williams), published May 1806; small figure of Bonaparte at left terrified by gigantic yeomanry cavalryman on enormous horse. Upright medium folio; margins trimmed close; reparied tear; light soiling. London, Maggs, 1953.

Two women and a child searching through trash bin: 1919

One of a collection of 10 mounted original watercolors signed and dated by Vladimiroff, of revolutionary scenes, some showing soldiers. Two woman digging through a trash bin while a child stands next to them. One of a collection of 10 mounted original watercolors signed and dated by Vladimiroff, of revolutionary scenes, some showing soldiers. Two woman digging through a trash bin while a child stands next to them. Oblong folio; bound in portfolio of 1/4 red leather stamped gold and marble boards; clean. N.Y., Lemmermann, 1953.