Military art of Douglas Anderson offered at auction

By John Freeman on September 4, 2024

Westerhope-based auction house Anderson & Garland has announced the sale the private collection of militaria and weapons belonging to proud Scotsman and artist Douglas Anderson.

Douglas N. Anderson has been a collector since an early age, and, now in his 90s, has decided to consign his collection for sale with Anderson & Garland of Newcastle, including a few of his many illustrations for a wide variety of books on military uniform.

*Douglas N Anderson | Watercolour drawing | The 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot*

Mounted Officer and Trumpeter by Douglas N Anderson (Watercolour drawing with gouache) - 21st Lancers, Officer in service dress mounted for Sudan campaign 1898, and Corporal Trumpeter, signed. An original plate work for The Last Charge: The 21st Lancers and the Battle of Omdurman 2nd September 1898, by Terry Brighton, illustrated by Douglas N Anderson — Mounted Officer and Trumpeter by Douglas N Anderson (Watercolour drawing with gouache) – 21st Lancers, Officer in service dress mounted for Sudan campaign 1898, and Corporal Trumpeter, signed. An original plate work for The Last Charge: The 21st Lancers and the Battle of Omdurman 2nd September 1898, by Terry Brighton, illustrated by Douglas N Anderson

Private Byrne mounted in full campaign kit and Squadron Sergeant-Major by Douglas N Anderson (Watercolour drawing with gouache), signed. An original plate work for The Last Charge: The 21st Lancers and the Battle of Omdurman 2nd September 1898, by Terry Brighton, illustrated by Douglas N Anderson

21st Hussars mounted Officer in full dress 1890s, and Lieutenant in undress by Douglas N Anderson (Watercolour drawing with gouache), signed. An original plate work for The Last Charge: The 21st Lancers and the Battle of Omdurman 2nd September 1898, by Terry Brighton, illustrated by Douglas N Anderson

Victoria's Commanders, Crimea by Douglas N Anderson (Watercolour drawing with gouache), signed. An original plate work for Queen Victoria's Commanders: No. 71 (Elite), by Michael Barthorp, illustrated by Douglas N Anderson — Victoria’s Commanders, Crimea by Douglas N Anderson (Watercolour drawing with gouache), signed. An original plate work for Queen Victoria’s Commanders: No. 71 (Elite), by Michael Barthorp, illustrated by Douglas N Anderson

Victoria's Commanders 1840-1890, General Officers by Douglas N Anderson (Watercolour drawing with gouache), signed. An original plate work for Queen Victoria's Commanders: No. 71 (Elite), by Michael Barthorp, illustrated by Douglas N Anderson — Victoria’s Commanders 1840-1890, General Officers by Douglas N Anderson (Watercolour drawing with gouache), signed. An original plate work for Queen Victoria’s Commanders: No. 71 (Elite), by Michael Barthorp, illustrated by Douglas N Anderson

Lieutenant Winston Churchill and signaller in service dress attached to A Squadron of the 21st from 4th Hussars - art by Douglas N Anderson — *Lieutenant Winston Churchill and signaller in service dress attached to A Squadron of the 21st from 4th Hussars – art by Douglas N Anderson*

The auction of some 250 lots also includes uniforms, medals, equipment and even some Britain’s toy figures.

Perhaps best known for his illustrations, Anderson’s learned books and articles on the subject have been referenced by both scholars and collectors for years, as well as his regimental watercolours which were even presented to the late Queen Elizabeth II. His art has also been sold as postcards and prints worldwide.

Anderson was a member of the Highland Light Infantry, which is a primary feature of his collection. His father, Douglas Anderson Sr, was also a commercial artist painting commercial posters for LNER and the Railways, as well as military recruitment posters for the Royal Highland Fusiliers.

*Artist Douglas N Anderson was a member of the Highland Light Infantry, which is a primary feature of his collection*

“Anderson is an esteemed name in the militaria collectors community, being associated with the subject for such a large period of his life and in good health has decided to release his collection into public hands,” the auction house outlines, “containing many items which have never been before offered for sale due to many of the items being given to Anderson directly from the men who used them during the war.”

• Douglas N Anderson Collection of Highland Light Infantry and other Military artifacts | Auction tales place in person and online from 10.00am on 11th September 2024 | View the catalogue here – you must be registered in advance to bid

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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.