Later Decorative Editions of Jane Porter's The Scottish Chiefs (1810)

The Scottish Chiefs (1810), Later Decorative Editions

The number of 19th-century editions of The Scottish Chiefs was once estimated at 75, but that seems a significant undercount. By 1840—a decade before Jane died—a publisher in the United States estimated that more than a million volumes of her novels had been printed there. By the late nineteenth century, The Scottish Chiefs had become immensely popular as a school book, a gift book, and a school or church prize. Here are some of the gorgeous, decorative editions that flourished in that era. Do you own an interesting antique edition of a Porter novel? If so, please feel free to share it, over at the "Meet Devoney" page.

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, Chicago: M. A. Donohue & Co., n.d.

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, London: J. M. Dent, n.d.

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, London and Glasgow: Collins' Clear-Type Press, This copy was a prize given to a pupil in a men's bible class in Bristol in 1904.

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, New York: A. L. Burt & Co. n.d.

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, New York: Thomas D. Crowell Company, n.d.

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, Philadelphia: John C. Winston & Co., n.d.

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, New York: Hurst & Co., n.d. (Magnolia Library, book cover).

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, London and Melbourne: Ward, Lock & Co., n.d. The publisher used this image of "King Edward and Wallace" as a frontispiece illustration in many of its other editions of the novel.

Jane Porter. The Scottish Chiefs. London and Glasgow: Collins Clear-Type, n.d. Even in Britain, Jane's novel was marketed as if it were an American cowboy novel.

Twelve of the World's Famous Adventure Books Condensed, New York: Keep-Worthy Books, Inc, 1946. Jane Porter's The Scottish Chiefs is shortened to a thirteen-page summary.

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, New York: F. M. Lupton Publishing Company, n.d. (c. 1899).

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, Chicago: M. A. Donohue & Co., n.d.

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, New York: Hurst & Co., n.d. (Magnolia Library, book jacket).

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, London and Glasgow: Collins Clear Type Press, n.d.

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, New York: Universal Publishing Company, n.d. (c. 1889). "Popular Edition"

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, New York and Boston: Thomas Y. Crowell, n.d. This edition includes illustrations of landscapes and locations, including Stirling Castle.

Jane Porter, The Scottish Chiefs, New York: A. L. Burt & Co. n.d. From Burt's Home Library of the World's Best Books, marketed as "Popular Literature for the Masses."