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

Brother and the fallen dragoon

[2 lines of explanatory text] Music by J.P. Webster. Caption title; imprint, etc. from title page. Cover lithographic illustration by Ehrgott, Forbriger & Co.: dismounted soldier attending to a prone and wounded officer, horse standing nearby, lake and tent encampment in distance. For voice and piano.

Brothel, Homecourt, Fr.

Brothel, Homecourt, Fr.

Brown University

Pencil and ink drawing of soldiers standing around in a room Pencil and ink drawing of soldiers standing around in a room Signed by the artist. Jarvie served with the 603rd Engineer Camouflage Battalion, part of the 23d Headquarters Special Troops (the so-called 'Ghost Army'). Digital object made available by: Brown University Library, John Hay Library, Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

Brooklyn Light Guard officer, c.1850

Original unsigned watercolor; seated portrait of militiaman in white uniform, bearskin hat and book on table at his left. Original unsigned watercolor; seated portrait of militiaman in white uniform, bearskin hat and book on table at his left. Upright folio; no margins; clean. title provided by cataloger

Brooklyn city guard quick step

Composed by a member of the Corps, performed by Dodsworth's Brass Band, arranged for the piano forte, by E.R. Hansen. Cover title. For piano. Cover lith. ill. by Thayer: uniform figures outdoors, ladies and tent encampment in background.

Brooklyn city guard quick step

Composed by a member of the Corps, performed by Dodsworth's Brass Band, arranged for the piano forte, by E.R. Hansen. Cover title. For piano. Cover lith. ill. by Thayer: uniform figures outdoors, ladies and tent encampment in background.

Bromeswell encampment

Bromeswell encampment

Brown University

Original ink and watercolor drawing (slightly crude) signed by Quinton; large tent encampment in countryside, small soldier figures in foreground, steeples of villages in distance. Original ink and watercolor drawing (slightly crude) signed by Quinton; large tent encampment in countryside, small soldier figures in foreground, steeples of villages in distance. Numbered manuscript key: 1. Pettistree; 2. Wickham Spire; 3. Bromsewell; 4. Eyke. 5. Rendlesham. N.Y., Rockman, 1953.

Brittania blowing up the Corsican bottle conjurer

In this unusually oblong-shaped print, a large bottle rests on an outcropping of land. Britannia, the national symbol of England, calmly sits inside this bottle which is inscribed "British Spirits composed of True Liberty, Courage, Loyalty & Religion." A spark ignites from the end of Britannia's spear, blowing Napoleon through the bottle's neck and high into the air like a champagne cork. In this unusually oblong-shaped print, a large bottle rests on an outcropping of land. Britannia, the national symbol of England, calmly sits inside this bottle which is inscribed "British Spirits composed of True Liberty, Courage, Loyalty & Religion." A spark ignites from the end of Britannia's spear, blowing Napoleon through the bottle's neck and high into the air like a champagne cork. Published by Ackermann, 1803-08-17. For other images of Napoleon as a bottle imp, see BM nos. 3022-27. Caption: London Pub. 17 Aug. 1803 by R. Ackermann 101 Strand

Britons united: the world cannot conquer

Song sheet, numbered 470; hand colored engraved illustration of Britannia in foreground, soldier, farmer and sailor near monument in left background, soldiers rimming shoreline, ships offshore. Song sheet, numbered 470; hand colored engraved illustration of Britannia in foreground, soldier, farmer and sailor near monument in left background, soldiers rimming shoreline, ships offshore. Small oblong folio; plate mark, margins. N.Y., Walter Schatzki, 1969.

British zoology, or tower curiosities

A portly Tower guard dressed in a Beefeater costume (r.) displays a menagerie of caged animals to a group of tourists (l.). In particular he directs their attention to a "wild goose"--an animal with the body and beak of a goose, but with Burdett's face for a head. The tourists gape in surprise at the unassuming goose whose squawkings are little cause for the shock their expressions register. The goose, who calls "Took, Took," invokes the name of Horne Tooke, Burdett's mentor. A portly Tower guard dressed in a Beefeater costume (r.) displays a menagerie of caged animals to a group of tourists (l.). In particular he directs their attention to a "wild goose"--an animal with the body and beak of a goose, but with Burdett's face for a head. The tourists gape in surprise at the unassuming goose whose squawkings are little cause for the shock their expressions register. The goose, who calls "Took, Took," invokes the name of Horne Tooke, Burdett's mentor. Dialogue: Beef Eater: "Now Ladies and Gentlemen, let me call your particular attention to this extraordinary burd, it has been fluttering and croaking about Middlesex and Westminster to the great annoyance of his Majesty's loyal subjects. He is supposed to be of the wild goose kind by most learned men, and was taken after a great deal of trouble and escorted here under a very strong guard." Dialogue: Took. Took. Inscription: Pubd, April 1810 by Walker No. 7 Cornhill Annotation: [John] Horne Tooke (1736-1812)

British Yeomanry officer, c. 1830

Original unsigned pencil sketch; 3/4-length figure of husssar with plumed shako, dolman over shoulder, right hand resting on sword. Original unsigned pencil sketch; 3/4-length figure of husssar with plumed shako, dolman over shoulder, right hand resting on sword. Upright medium folio, matted; margins; slightly soiled. Title supplied by cataloger. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1953.

British Yeomanry officer, c. 1795, from Conversation-piece painting

Watercolor copy by C.C.P. L(awson) from original large composition shown at Burlington House, 1955; standing light dragoon officer figure. Watercolor copy by C.C.P. L(awson) from original large composition shown at Burlington House, 1955; standing light dragoon officer figure. Upright; no margins; clean; in folio red cloth portfolio, red leather label stamped gold : 'C.C.P. Lawson - British Uniforms 1790-1800 - after Contemporary Documents, by [R.J.?]'. Title provided by cataloger.

British Yeomanry Cavalryman resting in stable, c. 1785

Unsigned original wash drawing; dismounted light cavalryman seated and resting in stable, while farmer attends horse in left background, child plays with dog in left foreground, two lovers ascending to hayloft in right background. Unsigned original wash drawing; dismounted light cavalryman seated and resting in stable, while farmer attends horse in left background, child plays with dog in left foreground, two lovers ascending to hayloft in right background. Upright folio; no margins; creased. Title supplied by cataloger. N.Y., Walter Schatzki, 1954.

British Yeomanry Cavalry charging, 1825

Original watercolor signed and dated Decr. 1825 by Barry; line of cavalrymen commencing charge at left, mounted dragoon in right foreground pointing at them, landscape background. Original watercolor signed and dated Decr. 1825 by Barry; line of cavalrymen commencing charge at left, mounted dragoon in right foreground pointing at them, landscape background. Oblong folio; no margins; worn. Title supplied by cataloger. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1955.

British warfare in 1812, 1837-38

Lithograph cartoon; African-Americans, British officers, Indian, civilians in groups, burning ship at lower left, building being ignited by officer at right. Lithograph cartoon; African-Americans, British officers, Indian, civilians in groups, burning ship at lower left, building being ignited by officer at right. Oblong folio, matted; margins intact; foxed, soiled, worn. N.Y., Old Print Shop, 1953.

British war scenes in the Soudan, 1885

2nd of 2 chromolith. plates; 15 illustrations of war scenes along Nile. 2nd of 2 chromolith. plates; 15 illustrations of war scenes along Nile. Large oblong folio, matted; margins; edges soiled, creased. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1950.

British volunteers; Brighton Review, Wimbledon Camp; Soudan 1885; New South Wales Contingent passing down Gresham St....

Second in set of three chromolithograph sheets, each intended as mount or background for two military portraits (not present); with British and Empire soldiers in military scenes and uniform groups. Second in set of three chromolithograph sheets, each intended as mount or background for two military portraits (not present); with British and Empire soldiers in military scenes and uniform groups. Oblong folio; margins; clean. New York, Rockman Prints, 1958.

British Volunteer infantryman, c. 1800

Unsigned ink and watercoor drawing; infantryman with pack etc. marching and pointing toward left, landscape background showing small figures of soldiers drilling at left. Unsigned ink and watercoor drawing; infantryman with pack etc. marching and pointing toward left, landscape background showing small figures of soldiers drilling at left. Upright, matted; no margins; clean. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1953. title provided by cataloger

British Volunteer Artillery officer, c. 1860

Unsigned pencil sketch; full-length figure of officer, musket in right hand, left hand on hip, standing near cannon on emplacement. Unsigned pencil sketch; full-length figure of officer, musket in right hand, left hand on hip, standing near cannon on emplacement. Upright, mounted on brown paper; margins; clean. N.Y., Rockman, 1952. Title provided by cataloger.

British uniforms, c.1845

One of a pair of ink and watercolor drawings, unsigned; this one showing 11 cavalry and infantrymen. [See also: British Uniforms, 1845 - 6 cavalry troopers]. One of a pair of ink and watercolor drawings, unsigned; this one showing 11 cavalry and infantrymen. [See also: British Uniforms, 1845 - 6 cavalry troopers]. Small oblong; no margins; soiled. Title supplied by cataloger. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1949.

British uniforms, c. 1845 (6 cavalry troopers)

1st of 2 ink and watercolor drawings, unsigned; 6 standing uniform figures of hussar, light, dragoon, Life Guard, Scots Grey, 2 cavalry officers in undress, line of mounted Life Guards and building in background. [See also: British Uniforms, c. 1846 - 11 cavalry and infantrymen]. 1st of 2 ink and watercolor drawings, unsigned; 6 standing uniform figures of hussar, light, dragoon, Life Guard, Scots Grey, 2 cavalry officers in undress, line of mounted Life Guards and building in background. [See also: British Uniforms, c. 1846 - 11 cavalry and infantrymen]. Small oblong; no margins; soiled. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1949. Title provided by cataloger.

British uniforms, c. 1830: twelve figures

Colored engraving by Henry Winkles after Heck; 12 figures in row, numbered 1-11, in various uniforms, landscape background. Colored engraving by Henry Winkles after Heck; 12 figures in row, numbered 1-11, in various uniforms, landscape background. Narrow small oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed; edges soiled. From 'Iconographic Encyclopaedia of Science, Literature, and Art,' (New York, Rudolph Garrigue, 1851). London, Parker Gallery, 1953. Title provided by cataloger.

British uniforms, 1953

British uniforms, 1953

Brown University

2nd of pair of composite watercolors initialed by RMB showing various figures in different uniforms, ink manuscript captions below. 2nd of pair of composite watercolors initialed by RMB showing various figures in different uniforms, ink manuscript captions below. Title supplied by cataloger.

British uniforms, 1805-1836

1st of pair of composite watercolors initialled RMB showing various figures in different uniforms. 1st of pair of composite watercolors initialled RMB showing various figures in different uniforms. Title supplied by cataloger.

British troops, Boer War, 1899-1902

6th in collection of 11 uncolored lithographic plates by and after Neumann; 3 infantrymen advancing up slope at left, mounted trumpeter blowing horn at right. 6th in collection of 11 uncolored lithographic plates by and after Neumann; 3 infantrymen advancing up slope at left, mounted trumpeter blowing horn at right. Small folio, unbound; in maroon cloth portfolio stamped gold. New York, Walter Schatzki, 1952. title provided by cataloger

British troops with the 2nd Afghan War medal

Group of ten officers and NCO's from various regiments in dress uniforms seated and standing outside building, some wearing Afghan War medal Group of ten officers and NCO's from various regiments in dress uniforms seated and standing outside building, some wearing Afghan War medal London, Silk Road Books and Photos, 2015. Digital object made available by: Brown University Library, John Hay Library, Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

British troops storming Citadel in Peninsular Campaign

Original unsigned watercolor (presumably by Michell); troops advancing up over rubble to storm bastions and defenders. Original unsigned watercolor (presumably by Michell); troops advancing up over rubble to storm bastions and defenders. Small oblong, matted together; no margins on watercolor, plate mark, margins on print; clean. Title supplied by cataloger. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1952.

British troops storming citadel in Peninsular campaign

Small hand colored engraving by and after Major C.C. Michell apparently adapted from the watercolor with the same supplied title; troops advancing up over rubble to storm bastions and defenders. Small hand colored engraving by and after Major C.C. Michell apparently adapted from the watercolor with the same supplied title; troops advancing up over rubble to storm bastions and defenders. Small oblong, one of 2 pieces, matted together; margins, plate mark; clean. Title supplied by cataloger. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1952.

British troops on the march - Canada

Chromolithograph (possibly after a design by R.P. Leitch) published by George C. Leighton; officers in irregular winter dress, Native Americans, guides conferring and resting in foreground, files of soldiers and sledges moving through mountain pass in background. Chromolithograph (possibly after a design by R.P. Leitch) published by George C. Leighton; officers in irregular winter dress, Native Americans, guides conferring and resting in foreground, files of soldiers and sledges moving through mountain pass in background. Supplement to 'Illustrated London News', 15 March 1862, page 264. London, Spencer, 1953.

British troops on the march

Original unsigned watercolor; line of British troops stretching into the distance across a featureless landscape near ruined castle; women camp followers with children in foreground close to tree. Original unsigned watercolor; line of British troops stretching into the distance across a featureless landscape near ruined castle; women camp followers with children in foreground close to tree. Matted. Title supplied by cataloger. Stow-on-the-Wold, Christopher Clarke Antiques, 2003

British troops crossing bridges and attacking in plain, c. 1806

Original unsigned watercolor (crude); scene in plain surrounded by mountains, showing British infantry, artillery, rifles and cavalry crossing bridges and going into attack. Original unsigned watercolor (crude); scene in plain surrounded by mountains, showing British infantry, artillery, rifles and cavalry crossing bridges and going into attack. Narrow oblong folio, matted; no margins; creased, somewhat worn. Title supplied by cataloger. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1955.