Miniature Lead Soldiers
During her honeymoon to Europe in 1930, Mrs. Brown purchased a number of lead soldiers from toy shops in Germany, France, and Britain with the intention of setting up a display in one of the rooms of her new house on Benefit Street. The majority of these figures were made by the Britains, Heyde and Mignot companies. Further figures were acquired in the following years, including a number specially commissioned by Mrs. Brown. When the collection came to Brown University in 1981–82, special cases were made to house the collection of more than 5,000 figures. The figures were previously on display on the third floor of the John Hay Library. The figures were in 96 cases marching from left to right with ancient Egyptians at the front up to Queen Elizabeth II. Additionally, there are porcelain figurines and a collection of miniature soldiers made by Howard Willetts.
Among the items commissioned are a large group depicting units of United States Militia in the 1830’s and 1840’s modeled after Huddy and Duval plates in the United States Military Magazine published in Philadelphia between 1839 and 1842. A friend of Mrs. Brown’s, Madame Metayer of Paris, fabricated a fine collection of figures depicting units of Napoleon’s army in addition to making a fine diorama of the landing of Count Rochambeau at Newport in 1781. Another item made for Mrs. Brown depicts a scene from Napoleon’s retreat from Moscow in 1812, while a group of figures arming a cannon represent the Rhode Island Train of Artillery in 1775.
There are coronation coaches and state landaus, a Papal procession, various kings and queens ranging from Henry VIII and his six wives to Queen Elizabeth II in a police uniform. Generals Grant and Lee lead their respective armies, while Roman charioteers whip their horses. A ceramic Chinese funeral party carries a large sarcophagus, while medieval knights made by Courteney of England charge forward. Hospital wagons rumble along, while a British searchlight team scans the skies for enemy planes. Victor Emmanuel II and Mussolini lead their troops and Nazi brownshirts carry banners. There are camel units, elephant batteries, World War One French bicycle troops, tanks and armored cars, and numerous cavalry troops.