1831 Ales Map of Great Britain, Works of Sir Walter Scott

A scarce and handsome folding map focusing on the British Isles and northern France engraved and published by Auguste-François Alès in 1831. It celebrates the oeuvre of Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832) and labels locations that feature in his works.

A Closer Look

Coverage includes the British Isles, northern France, and part of the Low Countries. An inset at top-left highlights the distance between England and Palestine, while one at bottom-left focuses on Palestine itself. The main map and insets are intended to provide context for Scott's works, several of which are set during the Crusades, including Ivanhoe and The Talisman (translated into French with the title Richard en Palestine). Particularly close attention is paid to areas around his hometown of Edinburgh. Flourishes are added by an elaborate title cartouche, complete with portrait of Scott, intricate border, and vignettes. A note at bottom discusses the genesis and aims of the map.

Scott and His Works

Sir Walter Scott was a Scottish writer who worked in several genres. He is especially important for developing the historical novel and for his contributions to Scottish literature and culture. Born and raised in Edinburgh, where he would spend most of his life, Scott studied law at the University of Edinburgh but in the process became deeply interested in literature and poetry. He was strongly influenced by German Romanticism, including its idealization of the Middle Ages and knightly chivalry (like Scott, Alès was squarely under the influence of German Romanticism, as seen in his delicate engravings of knightly arms and regalia). By the time of his death the year after this map's publication, Scott had become popular throughout Europe and his work influenced many later 19th century European novelists.

Publication History and Census

This map was engraved and published by Auguste-François Alès in 1831, with the engraved portrait of Scott based on a painting by Charles Robert Leslie. Interest in Scott's work would have been high at the time. Aside from translations of individual works, his collected works were published in French by Auguste Wahlen in Brussels over several years in the late 1820s. The only known example of this work in institutional collections is with the Bibliothèque nationale de France. The present example is especially notable for its presentation, dissected and laid on linen for folding into an ornate case.