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

Brazilian uniforms, c. 1894

1st in pair of chromolithographic plates after Mucha; three uniform figures of veteran, cadet of Colegio Militar, and horse artillery officer. 1st in pair of chromolithographic plates after Mucha; three uniform figures of veteran, cadet of Colegio Militar, and horse artillery officer. Oblong folio, matted; margins; soiled, yellowed. Paris, Quai Voltaire, 1950. title provided by cataloger

Brazilian uniforms, c. 1894

2nd in pair of chromolithographic plates after Mucha; two uniform figures of general staff officer, cavalry officer. 2nd in pair of chromolithographic plates after Mucha; two uniform figures of general staff officer, cavalry officer. Oblong folio, matted; margins; soiled, yellowed. Paris, Quai Voltaire, 1950. title provided by cataloger

Brazilian Infantry Bandsman, 1893

Original watercolor signed and dated by Arthur; standing uniform figure of infantry bandsman carrying tuba, buildings in background. Original watercolor signed and dated by Arthur; standing uniform figure of infantry bandsman carrying tuba, buildings in background. Small upright folio, no margins; slightly soiled. Title supplied by cataloger. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1964.

Brazilian Engineer officer, 1903

One of two original gouache drawings, signed by H.M., of officer uniform. [See also Brazilian Artillery officer]. One of two original gouache drawings, signed by H.M., of officer uniform. [See also Brazilian Artillery officer]. Upright; margins. Title supplied by cataloger.

Brazilian Artillery officer, 1903

One of 2 original gouache drawings, unsigned (by H. M.), of officer uniform figure. [See also: Brazilian Engineer officer]. One of 2 original gouache drawings, unsigned (by H. M.), of officer uniform figure. [See also: Brazilian Engineer officer]. Upright; margins. Title supplied by cataloger.

Brave men, behold your fallen chief

words by H.C. Ballard ; music by J.P. Webster. For voice and piano; refrain for chorus (SATB) and piano. "Tribute to Elsworth [sic]."--cover. Cover lithographic design by Charles Shober: oval bust portrait of Ellsworth flanked by small figures of soldiers in zouave uniforms upholding large flag, battle scene in background, symbols of mourning below.

Braunschweiger Infanterist

Original ink drawing by Knötel; uniform figure with gun, outdoors. Original ink drawing by Knötel; uniform figure with gun, outdoors. Upright, matted medium folio; margins.

Braunschweig Ulanen-Offizier, 1814

Original gouache signed and dated 1814 by Krevel; standing figure with left hand on sword hilt. Original gouache signed and dated 1814 by Krevel; standing figure with left hand on sword hilt. Upright, mounted on orange board; stained. Hamburg, Schulz, 1954. Title supplied by cataloger

Branle-Bas de combat

Branle-Bas de combat

Brown University

46th in series of 115 colored prints of oil paintings, signed by Legras, of uniform figures from various military units; barefoot sailor in khaki uniform, rolling up sleeve, holding sword. 46th in series of 115 colored prints of oil paintings, signed by Legras, of uniform figures from various military units; barefoot sailor in khaki uniform, rolling up sleeve, holding sword. Upright folio, unbound, in green portfolio with white label, "Etudes de types militaires"; clean.

Brandt! Un Français est un Français

2nd in collection of 12 mounted lith. caricatures; 3 French hussars in animated conversation at small tavern table, 4th soldier in background. 2nd in collection of 12 mounted lith. caricatures; 3 French hussars in animated conversation at small tavern table, 4th soldier in background. Small square folio, glued to larger backing sheet; margins trimmed; clean; in blue cloth portfolio, red leather label st. gold, "Charlet, Miscellaneous Lithographs." Paris, Duchartre, 1958

Brandenburgsche Dragoner: 5 Escadr.

42nd in collection of 53 hand-colored unsigned engraved plates of uniforms; mounted dragoon in royal blue jacket, gray trousers, shako, facing right. 42nd in collection of 53 hand-colored unsigned engraved plates of uniforms; mounted dragoon in royal blue jacket, gray trousers, shako, facing right. Small folio, unbound; edges of plates soiled; in blue cloth slipcase, red leather label stamped gold. Hamburg, Ernst August auction, 1971.

Brandenburgsche Cuirassier - Officier: Brandenburg. 5 Escad.

30th in collection of 53 hand-colored unsigned engraved plates of uniforms; mounted cuirassier officer in white jacket, gray trousers, dragoon helmet, facing left. 30th in collection of 53 hand-colored unsigned engraved plates of uniforms; mounted cuirassier officer in white jacket, gray trousers, dragoon helmet, facing left. Small folio, unbound; edges of plates soiled; in blue cloth slipcase, red leather label stamped gold. Hamburg, Ernst August auction, 1971.

Brandenburgsche Cuirassier - Gemeiner: Brandenburg. 5 Escadrons

31st in collection of 53 hand-colored unsigned engraved plates of uniforms; mounted cuirassier in white jacket, gray trousers, dragoon helmet, facing right. 31st in collection of 53 hand-colored unsigned engraved plates of uniforms; mounted cuirassier in white jacket, gray trousers, dragoon helmet, facing right. Small folio, unbound; edges of plates soiled; in blue cloth slipcase, red leather label stamped gold. Hamburg, Ernst August auction, 1971.

Brabançon Revolution: artillery attacking a town

Original ink and wash drawing signed by Malpé; soldiers at left firing mortar balls toward town, mounted officer at right near standing infantrymen, clocktower in right background. Original ink and wash drawing signed by Malpé; soldiers at left firing mortar balls toward town, mounted officer at right near standing infantrymen, clocktower in right background. Upright, mounted on blue paper, matted; narrow margins. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1961. Title supplied by cataloger

Boyevaya piesnya (battle song)

2nd in collection of 4 rather crude hand-colored engraved song-sheets by Tchuksin; 9 Russian soldiers from different units standing in semi-circle, singing; 4 columns of printed lyrics below image. 2nd in collection of 4 rather crude hand-colored engraved song-sheets by Tchuksin; 9 Russian soldiers from different units standing in semi-circle, singing; 4 columns of printed lyrics below image. Folio, unbound, in green cloth portfolio, red leather labels stamped gold "Crimean War prints"; slightly soiled. New York, Rockman Prints, 1958. title in Russian, translated into English by cataloger

Boxer exercising

Boxer exercising

Brown University

Original pencil drawing by Karl Rittmann; man seated doing exercises, punch-bag nearby, other soldiers in background. Censor's stamp on verso Original pencil drawing by Karl Rittmann; man seated doing exercises, punch-bag nearby, other soldiers in background. Censor's stamp on verso Gift of Larry Rittman, 2021 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/)

Box lobby loungers

Box lobby loungers

Brown University

Hand-colored caricature by Rowlandson after Wigstead, published Jan. 5, 1786. 'A crowded scene in a bare room giving access to the theatre, which is seen through two open doors (right), each showing two boxes, and a section of gallery above, filled with spectators. Courtesans and ladies are being inspected and addressed by the loungers. The centre figure is George Hanger in profile to the left, his club under his arm, arms folded, staring at a bold and handsome girl who stands with another pretty young woman. A man in deep shadow seizes Hanger's bunch of seals. Two elderly men address a fat bawd who holds a basket of fruit and playbills; a coin is placed in her hand. A misshapen elderly beau (not, as Grego suggests, Sir L. Skeffington, b. 1771), looking through a quizzing-glass, steps on an irate lady's dress (right). On the wall is a large playbill: 'Theatre Royal Covent Garden / Way of the World / Who's the Dupe'. The room is lit from bracket lamps high on the right wall, diagonal shadows are thrown across the room, some of the figures are brilliantly lit, others in shadow'. -- British Museum Hand-colored caricature by Rowlandson after Wigstead, published Jan. 5, 1786. 'A crowded scene in a bare room giving access to the theatre, which is seen through two open doors (right), each showing two boxes, and a section of gallery above, filled with spectators. Courtesans and ladies are being inspected and addressed by the loungers. The centre figure is George Hanger in profile to the left, his club under his arm, arms folded, staring at a bold and handsome girl who stands with another pretty young woman. A man in deep shadow seizes Hanger's bunch of seals. Two elderly men address a fat bawd who holds a basket of fruit and playbills; a coin is placed in her hand. A misshapen elderly beau (not, as Grego suggests, Sir L. Skeffington, b. 1771), looking through a quizzing-glass, steps on an irate lady's dress (right). On the wall is a large playbill: 'Theatre Royal Covent Garden / Way of the World / Who's the Dupe'. The room is lit from bracket lamps high on the right wall, diagonal shadows are thrown across the room, some of the figures are brilliantly lit, others in shadow'. -- British Museum Large oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed; soiled.

Bourgeois, Maite Tanneur de J'Azberény: (District des Jazyges) (Basse Hongrie)

Hand-colored line-lithograph by L. Guerdenk after Behn, printed by Moine, evidently from series of costume plates; standing figure in Hungarian dress, right hand resting on grounded hatchet, left hand extended. Hand-colored line-lithograph by L. Guerdenk after Behn, printed by Moine, evidently from series of costume plates; standing figure in Hungarian dress, right hand resting on grounded hatchet, left hand extended. Small upright folio; margins; slightly yellowed, corners torn. From 'Costumes de Suède, Norvège, Danemark, Hollande et Allemagne' (Paris, Aux bureau des journaux, 1868), plate 10.

Boureau du Corps des Strelits: on assomoit un fleau les gens condamnés a mort

7th in collection of 7 uncolored copper-engraved plates by Le Prince; standing figure of military executioner, in long coat, cap, holding scourge or flail, outdoors. 7th in collection of 7 uncolored copper-engraved plates by Le Prince; standing figure of military executioner, in long coat, cap, holding scourge or flail, outdoors. Small folio; bound in green cloth, red leather label stamped gold; clean. Leichtenstein-Hauslab Collection, 1951.

Bougainville, Looking Toward Torokina, Empress Augusta Bay

Two shirtless soldiers are seen from behind, walking along the edge of a bay. A third figure stands in the middle distance, facing the water. The page is marked with dimensions for printing. Two shirtless soldiers are seen from behind, walking along the edge of a bay. A third figure stands in the middle distance, facing the water. The page is marked with dimensions for printing. Published in Yank, February 25, 1944, page 4 as: "The sand along the beach is always torn with truck and jeep ruts, even though the Japs are only a few miles away, soldiers go swimming here regularly."

Bougainville

Bougainville

Brown University

Original watercolor signed by Reeks; shell exploding amid group of U.S. soldiers. Original watercolor signed by Reeks; shell exploding amid group of U.S. soldiers. 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.

Bougainville

Bougainville

Brown University

Original watercolor signed and dated by Reeks; soldier standing head bowed beside soldiers' cemetery, U.S. flag overhead; tree trunks in foreground. Original watercolor signed and dated by Reeks; soldier standing head bowed beside soldiers' cemetery, U.S. flag overhead; tree trunks in foreground. 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.

Bouclier Français

Bouclier Français

Brown University

Colored mezzotint; last stand of 2 French grenadiers against British highlanders at Waterloo, enframement of trophies etc. Colored mezzotint; last stand of 2 French grenadiers against British highlanders at Waterloo, enframement of trophies etc. Small oblong folio, matted; plate mark, margins trimmed; clean. N. Y., Rockman Prints, 1949. Title: Bouclier Français Caption: UN FRANÇAIS MEURT ET NE SE REND PAS. Caption: Dépõsé Caption: A Paris, chez Jean Fils, Quai des Augustins, No. 29. Caption: WATERLOO

Boston National Lancers, 1850

Lithograph in gold scrolled border; group of mounted and unmounted soldiers, outdoors. Lithograph in gold scrolled border; group of mounted and unmounted soldiers, outdoors. Small folio, matted; margins trimmed; soiled, stained. New York, Milton L. Bernstein, 1950. title provided by cataloger

Boston Militia c. 1895

Boston Militia c. 1895

Brown University

One of a pair of mounted original photographs by Charles W. Hearn Studios; 3/4-length portrait of cadet corps officer in uniform with "HSC" badge on cap. One of a pair of mounted original photographs by Charles W. Hearn Studios; 3/4-length portrait of cadet corps officer in uniform with "HSC" badge on cap. Small upright, matted; clean. Title supplied by cataloger. New York, Rockman Prints, 1958.

Boston Light Dragoon's quickstep

composed & dedicated to Col. I.H. Wright, and the officers & members of the corps by Frank Howard. Caption title. For piano. Cover lith. ill by Sharp & Son after W. Sharp: large figure of mounted officer in foreground, smaller figures in background.