Vanished Armies: A Record of Military Uniform Observed And Drawn in Various European Countries During the Years 1907 to 1914

by A.E. Haswell Miller, John Mollo (Editor)

In the years immediately before the First World War Archibald Haswell Miller, a young artist, traveled Europe to study painting. While he was there he indulged his other great interest - military matters. On his travels he observed first-hand the soldiers of the European Armies in the last days of the colourful and elaborate uniforms that were giving way to grey and khaki across the continent. Realizing that this was a great military heritage that was slipping away, he set out to record these splendid uniforms.

In the uncertain days before the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo, Haswell Miller sketched and painted hundreds of figures, each wearing a different uniform from the armies of Britain, Germany, France, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Spain and Sweden. Just before the First World War the paintings were exhibited in Leipzig, and it seemed they might be published. But when war broke out they returned home and lay forgotten for nearly one hundred years.

Now, published together at last, they represent a unique record of the uniforms of the last great age of military dress. Accompanied by, in Haswell Miller's own words, 'notes and memories of the days before "the lights went out in Europe" in the year 1914', this is a book of great historical importance.

Genres: Military Fiction, History

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Henry Davis IV · Rating 3 out of 5]

For anyone familiar with Osprey Publishing's Man-At-Arms book series which features beautiful full-color plates of whatever Soldier or fighting force is being featured, this book will look very familiar. In this work, John Mollo expertly edits and assembles the colorful drawings and detailed notes now deceased artist A.E. Haswell Miller left covering Soldiers of various European nations he personally observed prior to, during, and immediately after World War I. While his ability to accurately capture uniform details in hand drawn and colored pages is superb, this book lacks the supporting details and context of contemporary Osprey works. Considering this book was assembled years after the artist's death, though, it is a very well done. I highly recommend that anyone interested in 19th Century European military uniforms or military history during the short period from roughly 10 year prior to the 20th Century up through World War I gets a copy of this book. Besides the fact that proceeds go to the United Kingdom's The Army Museums Ogilby Trust, the artwork in this book truly is beautiful and, coupled with the Soldier's lifelike poses, provides one a glimpse of a truly forgotten era.

[Manray9 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A. E. Haswell Miller’s “Vanished Armies” is a magnificent collection of drawings representing the variety of brilliant military uniforms seen throughout Europe from 1908-1914. Haswell Miller studied at the Glasgow School of Art and served as an officer in the British Army during World War I. He was wounded in 1918 and subsequently decorated with the Military Cross. In 1919, he was one of the first artists to receive a commission from the Imperial War Museum.

Haswell Miller’s drawings are incredibly detailed and vibrant. He traveled throughout the continent in the pre-war years and created this collection from first-hand observation. The drawings are accompanied by very little text, but are well catalogued. They concentrate on Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Austria-Hungary. The uniforms of the other powers receive relatively little attention -- e.g., Russia contributes portraits of only ten officers and Portugal just three.

This is the finest collection of pre-Great War military uniform art I have yet seen. I cannot praise it too highly. It is simply stunning. A contemporary of Haswell Miller remarked concerning this compilation: “Who is the young man who draws soldiers that look like soldiers?”

This is certainly a Five-Star volume.