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 Fort of Phalsburg, Oct. 1870

Distant view of fortress, two soldiers standing in left foreground. Distant view of fortress, two soldiers standing in left foreground. Formerly in the collection of Perpetua Ingram; sold at Sotheby's May 22, 1997. Reproduced in the Illustrated London News, November 12, 1970, page 504. New York, Swann Auction Galleries, 2015

The fort

The fort

Brown University

Hand-colored later impression of stipple engraving by G. Shepherd after Bunbury, published by J. Deeley, London, 1809; officer and sentry on ramparts of fort, man and women looking out to sea at right. [See also: Love at first sight]. Hand-colored later impression of stipple engraving by G. Shepherd after Bunbury, published by J. Deeley, London, 1809; officer and sentry on ramparts of fort, man and women looking out to sea at right. [See also: Love at first sight]. Upright medium folio, matted; margins trimmed; one slightly soiled and spotted.

The Fort

The Fort

Brown University

One of a pair of hand colored stipple engravings by G. Shepherd after Bunbury; officer and sentry on ramparts of fort, man and woman looking out to sea at right. [See also: Love at first sight]. One of a pair of hand colored stipple engravings by G. Shepherd after Bunbury; officer and sentry on ramparts of fort, man and woman looking out to sea at right. [See also: Love at first sight]. Upright, matted; margins; clean. Camden, ME, Staack, 1956.

The Formal Annexation of the Orange Free State: Saluting the Royal Standard at Bloemfontein

Original wash drawing initialed 'F.D.'; soldiers lined up in front of building; officers on horseback saluting flag; crowd in foreground. Original wash drawing initialed 'F.D.'; soldiers lined up in front of building; officers on horseback saluting flag; crowd in foreground. For The Graphic, July 7, 1900. London, Maggs, 1998 Title supplied by cataloger.

The fly catching macaroni

Caricature of Sir Joseph Banks as fly catcher standing on two globes, published July 12th, 1772. From 'Macaronies, Characters, Caricatures & designed by the greatest personages, artists &c graved & published by M Darly, 39 Strand. 1772'. (Vol.3). Caricature of Sir Joseph Banks as fly catcher standing on two globes, published July 12th, 1772. From 'Macaronies, Characters, Caricatures & designed by the greatest personages, artists &c graved & published by M Darly, 39 Strand. 1772'. (Vol.3). Whipcord del. Beneath title: I rove from pole to pole, you ask me why, I tell you truth, to catch a ____ fly

The Flankers outflanked: Cavalry under General French succeed in beating back the Boers under General Botha at Tahbu ...

One of a collection of 3 original watercolors of battle and combat scenes signed by F. Feller. Lancers in right foreground, kopjes in background. One of a collection of 3 original watercolors of battle and combat scenes signed by F. Feller. Lancers in right foreground, kopjes in background. Oblong folio, matted; margins; clean. Title from pencil inscription on verso London, Parker Gallery, 1950.

The First Tank 1916

The First Tank 1916

Brown University

1 etching; rear view of tank in desolate landscape. Inscribed in ink 'The First Tank, 1916' (bottom left) and signed 'Walter M. Keesey' (bottom right). Inscribed on etching 'Ariadne '16. Le Sars. Martinpuich' 1 etching; rear view of tank in desolate landscape. Inscribed in ink 'The First Tank, 1916' (bottom left) and signed 'Walter M. Keesey' (bottom right). Inscribed on etching 'Ariadne '16. Le Sars. Martinpuich' Small oblong folio. London, Maggs, 2005. 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 first soldier back in a liberated village

French soldier swarmed by cheering men, women and children, one holding a tricolor (flag), in a village. Charcoal drawing signed and dated lower right L. Jonas 10 Nov. 18. French soldier swarmed by cheering men, women and children, one holding a tricolor (flag), in a village. Charcoal drawing signed and dated lower right L. Jonas 10 Nov. 18.

The First shot at Wimbledon: dedicated to the Volunteer Rifle Corps of the United Kingdom

Color lithogra[h by and after Maclure, pr. by Maclure, Macdonald & Macgregor; Queen Victoria in canopied pavilion about to fire mounted gun, numerous volunteers in various uniforms standing nearby. Color lithogra[h by and after Maclure, pr. by Maclure, Macdonald & Macgregor; Queen Victoria in canopied pavilion about to fire mounted gun, numerous volunteers in various uniforms standing nearby. Oblong folio, matted; margins intact; edges worn and soiled. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1949.

The First Outbreak at Cabul: From a Sketch by a Cabul Prisoner. Representing the Assassination of Sir Alexander Burns...

One of a set of 4 lithographic plates by R.E. Sly of scenes at Kabul and Bukhara (published by Blackwood & Page,1844). It represents the assassination of Sir Alexander Burnes at the gate of his residence in Kabul on November 2, 1841 One of a set of 4 lithographic plates by R.E. Sly of scenes at Kabul and Bukhara (published by Blackwood & Page,1844). It represents the assassination of Sir Alexander Burnes at the gate of his residence in Kabul on November 2, 1841 Small oblong folio; margins trimmed. Hanover, N.H., Book & Print Shop, 1954.

The First of May 1865 or Genl. Moving Day in Richmond Va.

Colored lithographed caricature; Confederate government removing and packing belongings in dog-wagon, African-Americans and other spectators standing by in derisive attitudes. Colored lithographed caricature; Confederate government removing and packing belongings in dog-wagon, African-Americans and other spectators standing by in derisive attitudes. Small oblong folio; margins intact; clean. New York, Argosy, 1953.

The first night at Chobham

Original humorous watercolor (somewhat crude) initialed on back 'W.W'; guardsman outside tent and another inside tent in conversation; figure in tent smoking, with cup and saucer in other hand, dog nearby; text of conversation below. Original humorous watercolor (somewhat crude) initialed on back 'W.W'; guardsman outside tent and another inside tent in conversation; figure in tent smoking, with cup and saucer in other hand, dog nearby; text of conversation below. Small upright folio, matted; slight margins; creased. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1949.

The first naval conflict between iron clad vessels. In Hampton Roads, March 9th 1862

Color lithograph after Parsons; close naval encounter with ships in distance, all surrounded by nine sepia vignettes of interior of Monitor, portrait vignette of John Ericsson, designer of the Monitor Color lithograph after Parsons; close naval encounter with ships in distance, all surrounded by nine sepia vignettes of interior of Monitor, portrait vignette of John Ericsson, designer of the Monitor Large oblong folio; considerable foxing and stains; repaired. Transfer from John Hay Library Print Room 1992.

The first meeting of Washington and Lafayette: Philadelphia, August 3rd 1777

Color lithograph by Currier & Ives; Washington and Lafayette shaking hands in drawing room, ladies, officers and gentlemen at right and left. Color lithograph by Currier & Ives; Washington and Lafayette shaking hands in drawing room, ladies, officers and gentlemen at right and left. Oblong medium folio, matted folio; margins intact; clean. New York, Harry H. Hymes, 1941.

The First Manchester Volunteer Rifle Corps. No. 1

Subject: Rifleman reconnoitring on manoeuvres; C. Black. Del., Mansfield Lith. Subject: Rifleman reconnoitring on manoeuvres; C. Black. Del., Mansfield Lith. Title continues: Dedicated by permission to the officers of the First Regt. of Manchester Volunteer Rifles.

The First Foot Guards. Drummer, 1745

Original watercolor signed by Barnes; standing figure in uniform with drum, outdoors. Original watercolor signed by Barnes; standing figure in uniform with drum, outdoors. Small upright folio, matted; margins intact; clean. London, Parker Gallery, 1952.

The First Fencibles

The First Fencibles

Brown University

Original unsigned watercolor; mounted uniform figure facing left, holding sword at shoulder. Original unsigned watercolor; mounted uniform figure facing left, holding sword at shoulder. Margins intact. Note on verso: 'Commanded by the Right Hon. J.C. Villiers'. N.Y., Walter Schatzki, 1972.

The first entrenchment (at Taku): 12 August 1860

One of a collection of 7 mounted original watercolors of Chinese soldiers in battle or of soldier types, all signed or initialed by Wirgman. Soldier next to dead horse lighting gun/canon while other soldiers fire rifles in background. One of a collection of 7 mounted original watercolors of Chinese soldiers in battle or of soldier types, all signed or initialed by Wirgman. Soldier next to dead horse lighting gun/canon while other soldiers fire rifles in background. Reproduced in The Cosmopolitan, Vol. XVII (October 1894), page 654. Wirgman covered the Second Opium War for the Illustrated London News.

The first cannon shot

The first cannon shot

Brown University

Bust portrait of sultan in uniform titled '(The Sultan Abdu'l Medjid)', ornamental enframement with Russian and Turkish banners, vignette battle scenes at right and left, Bust portrait of sultan in uniform titled '(The Sultan Abdu'l Medjid)', ornamental enframement with Russian and Turkish banners, vignette battle scenes at right and left, Nos. 443 & 444 Musical Bouquet. 'N.B. This beautiful song was published in "The Illustrated news," Oct. 15th, 1853' Includes page and half of score. Composed by Henry Russell, the poetry by Charles Mackay.

The First Articles in Requisition at Amsterdam or the Sans Culotts Become Touts Culotts

Hand-colored etching published by Fores, Jany 29, 1795. 'The two chief figures resembling the embracing couple: the Frenchman (right) holds against his person the baggy breeches of the Dutchman; coins stream from the pockets and are piled on the ground. The Dutchman (left), standing with bare thighs, scratches his head in dismay, saying, "Oh my Dollars & Ducats D------n their Citizenship; A fellow here calls me Frere Citoyen and takes away all my Property". His hat and (broken) pipe lie on the ground. On the left, and in profile to the right, a ragged Frenchman in Dutch breeches, wearing a bonnet-rouge, capers delightedly, holding to his mouth a square 'Gin' bottle. Coins pour from the breeches. He says: "They may talk of the Coldness of this Country but by Gar here is the Warm Liqour for De inside & de Warm breeches for de out side". In the foreground (right) a dwarfish Frenchman sits on a pile of sacks inscribed 'Dollars for the use of the National Convention'. He dips in his hand and stuffs coins into his coat-pocket. In the background (left) an almost naked Frenchman capers delightedly, waving a hat-full of coins, and saying: "Aye Aye, Equality is the order of the Day la Liberté for the Carmagnoles." On the extreme right a sansculotte embraces a delighted fat Dutchwoman. Three barelegged Dutchmen are behind; one says: "I dont like this Equality business I wish we had not Invited theese Plundering Fellows here, I suppose they'll make use of my Iron next." A Frenchman wearing Dutch breeches (cf. BMSat 9034) smokes a pipe in an experimental manner' -- British Museum Hand-colored etching published by Fores, Jany 29, 1795. 'The two chief figures resembling the embracing couple: the Frenchman (right) holds against his person the baggy breeches of the Dutchman; coins stream from the pockets and are piled on the ground. The Dutchman (left), standing with bare thighs, scratches his head in dismay, saying, "Oh my Dollars & Ducats D------n their Citizenship; A fellow here calls me Frere Citoyen and takes away all my Property". His hat and (broken) pipe lie on the ground. On the left, and in profile to the right, a ragged Frenchman in Dutch breeches, wearing a bonnet-rouge, capers delightedly, holding to his mouth a square 'Gin' bottle. Coins pour from the breeches. He says: "They may talk of the Coldness of this Country but by Gar here is the Warm Liqour for De inside & de Warm breeches for de out side". In the foreground (right) a dwarfish Frenchman sits on a pile of sacks inscribed 'Dollars for the use of the National Convention'. He dips in his hand and stuffs coins into his coat-pocket. In the background (left) an almost naked Frenchman capers delightedly, waving a hat-full of coins, and saying: "Aye Aye, Equality is the order of the Day la Liberté for the Carmagnoles." On the extreme right a sansculotte embraces a delighted fat Dutchwoman. Three barelegged Dutchmen are behind; one says: "I dont like this Equality business I wish we had not Invited theese Plundering Fellows here, I suppose they'll make use of my Iron next." A Frenchman wearing Dutch breeches (cf. BMSat 9034) smokes a pipe in an experimental manner' -- British Museum New York, Walter Schatzki, 1964 Caption: London Pub Jan'y 29, 1795 by SW Fores No 3 Piccadilly Dialogue: Figure in left foreground: "Dollars; so the use of the National Convention"

The first "Mounted Parade" of the Camel Corps in Egypt. : "Each man will ride, like the Mounted Infantry, at the back...

Color lithograph after Payne; humorous scene of British soldiers attempting to ride camels with Egyptian drivers, in desert. Color lithograph after Payne; humorous scene of British soldiers attempting to ride camels with Egyptian drivers, in desert. Large oblong folio, matted; margins severely trimmed; clean. London, Parker Gallery, 1965.

The fight on Bear Island: Pillager Chippewas attacking Company E, Third U.S. Infantry, Brevet-Major M.C. Wilkinson Co...

Double-page halftone plate after Remington; armed Indians stealing through woods; caption and small halftone military portrait pasted on back of mount. Double-page halftone plate after Remington; armed Indians stealing through woods; caption and small halftone military portrait pasted on back of mount. From Collier's Weekly, October 22, 1898. Providence, James Tyson, 1957.

The Fifty-Ninth Virginia Infantry - Wise's Brigade, Diascund Bridge - May 1863

Hand-colored steel-engraving after Chapman; view of camp near creek, with soldiers in camp activities, relaxing, etc. Hand-colored steel-engraving after Chapman; view of camp near creek, with soldiers in camp activities, relaxing, etc. Oblong medium folio, matted; plate mark, margins intact; soiled. N.Y., Old Print Shop, 1961.

The Fifth, "Green Horse", 1824

Original watercolor caricature signed by Carbine (pseudonym), on grey board; standing profile figure of officer of 5th Dragoon Guards in summer undress uniform. Original watercolor caricature signed by Carbine (pseudonym), on grey board; standing profile figure of officer of 5th Dragoon Guards in summer undress uniform. Upright medium folio, matted; margins. An author using the pseudonym 'Carbine' wrote for The Bystander in 1906. London, Parker Gallery, 1972.

The Fifth Massachusetts Volunteers drilling for active service - Charging at double quick up a steep bank near the Ca...

One of 2 wood engraved plates from magazine; soldiers charging up ledge, U.S. Capitol under construction in background. [See also: Quarters of the Twelfth Regiment, Butterfield Avenue, Camp Anderson, Washington, D.C.] One of 2 wood engraved plates from magazine; soldiers charging up ledge, U.S. Capitol under construction in background. [See also: Quarters of the Twelfth Regiment, Butterfield Avenue, Camp Anderson, Washington, D.C.] From New-York Illustrated News, June 1, 1861, page 61. Hanover, N.H., Book & Print Shop, 1956.

The Fifth Field Artillery, U.S.A.: "Men die...but the regiment lives on"

Color plate after Pachner from magazine (double-page); 13 vignettes of uniform groups 1812- c. 1941, also 2 other vignettes. Painted for Esquire Magazine Color plate after Pachner from magazine (double-page); 13 vignettes of uniform groups 1812- c. 1941, also 2 other vignettes. Painted for Esquire Magazine Oblong folio; margins; creased, edges worn. Presented, 1953, by William C. Blood, Philadelphia.