Soldiers and officers in shapeless, olive-drab clothing is a fairly new development. This development resulted from the change that took place in the early 20th century in the way wars were fought. Up to that time, uniforms had served an important purpose by expressing an army's unity, hierarchy and discipline. The officers in particular were often dressed in splendid uniforms.

A series of 600 prints illustrates the history of uniforms, beginning in the age of chivalry and ending with the annexation of the Low Countries by France in 1810. A series of prints from 1787, attributed to C.R. Coopman, gives a clear image of the 'armed civic guards and militia' in the days of the Patriots

Books featuring uniforms in the Netherlands and its colonies give an image of the period from 1811 to 1900. There are Belgian uniforms from the time Belgium was still part of the Netherlands. A very de luxe publication is the 1823 edition of Jan Frederik Teupken's book with instructions on uniforms.

Frederik Jan Gustaaf ten Raa's book with an overview of uniforms of the land and sea forces is the most recent publication. It appeared in 1900, just as the traditional uniforms were starting to disappear and knowledge of uniforms was becoming a discipline of military historiography. The book by Ten Raa - founder of the Instituut voor Militaire Geschiedenis (Institute of Military History) - also includes an overview of 19th century uniforms.

Go direct to:

• Uniforms of armed civic guards and militia by Coopman
• Characteristische Darstellung der K.K. Franz?chen armee und ihrer Allieerten in Jahre 1807 van Carl Friedrich Weiland
• Teupken's instruction book on uniforms
• Ten Raa's book
• Album with picture postcards bearing the title 'Onze Land- en Zeemacht' (Our land and naval forces) from the early 20th century