200 years have elapsed since the Battle of Waterloo, a watershed moment in European history that simultaneously ended more than twenty years of war on the European continent and halted French attempts of domination. The 200th anniversary, in June 2015, has inspired a slew of tie-in publishing and commemorative products. There are also grand plans underway to mark the anniversary, including a 3-D film and the biggest re-enactment of the battle ever staged.
See examples below of how publishers and product developers have commemorated the most famous battle in British history using licensed imagery from Bridgeman.
Bookish bicentenary for Waterloo
Left: © Harper Collins Right: © Faber
Bernard Cornwell is the author of the internationally best-selling Sharpe series. Via his publisher Harper Collins, he has produced an epic account of the four days leading up to the battle.
Waterloo: The History of Four Days, Three Armies and Three Battles is vividly brought to life with over 50 Bridgeman licensed images.
Michael Broers’ biography draws on the thoughts of Napoleon himself as his incomparable life unfolded. The cover is a detail of a painting by Baron Antoine Jean Gros of Napoleon Reviewing his Troops after the Battle of Marengo, 1802-03 from Château de Versailles, France.
Read about more Waterloo book titles
Left: Image credit: Equestrian Portrait of Napoleon I, 1810 by Joseph Chabord / Museo Napoleonico, Rome, Italy
Right: Image credit:The Duke of Wellington by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) / Photo © Mark Fiennes
Napoleon Vs Wellington
It is interesting to see which cover stars are featured on British and French history magazines!
“Capturing the Eagle” The Waterloo Bicentenary Plate
Available exclusively from Danbury Mint this Capturing the Eagle fine porcelain collector plate depicts a celebrated moment from the battle as Sergeant Ewart of the Royal Scots Greys captures a French Eagle standard. This limited edition will only be produced in 2015 – the year of the bicentennial.
Limited edition plate from Danbury Mint
Image credit: Waterloo, presented with ‘Old England’s Annual’, 1898 / National Army Museum, London
Waterloo £5 commemorative coin from The Royal Mint
The only official UK coin to mark the bicentenary. On their website it reads “…David Lawrence’s design captures the accord between Wellington and Blücher, so pivotal to the victory. This coin is sure to appeal to collectors, historians or those simply wishing to learn more about this decisive battle in British, European and world history.”
Battle of Waterloo 2015 UK £5 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin /Royal Mint
Scotland Forever!
Painted in 1881, ‘Scotland Forever!’ is a painting by Elizabeth Southern Thompson, Lady Butler. It depicts the start of the charge of the Royal Scots Greys, a British Cavalry regiment at the Battle of Waterloo.
Trinket box from Halcyon Days. Image credit: Scotland For Ever! 1881 by Lady Butler (1846-1933) Leeds Museums and Galleries
Halcyon Days say…”Our highly skilled artists have reproduced this magnificent work of art onto this delightful enamel box. Featuring a deep red base and gold mount, this unique objet d’art is a masterpiece in its own right.”
Read More
See more images of The Battle of Waterloo from Bridgeman represented collections including The National Army Museum in London.
Waterloo 2015 re-enactment programme. The ASBL ‘Bataille de Waterloo 1815’ is planning the most impressive reconstructions ever seen in Europe: 5000 re-enactors, 300 horses and 100 canons.
New exhibitions mark 200th anniversary of Battle of Waterloo