‘The Scottish Chiefs’ by Jane Porter
Bought so many books the day we spent hours in The Book Shop in Wigtown Mairiuna, that I can hardly remember all the titles. 
How funny !!!…do you remember how Jean-Claude had to tuck away some of our books inside the spare tire section of the car so that we could take them back home ? We were ready to leave many things behind ( and finally had to ) but certainly not the books ! I wonder…did JC find that so funny? It’s always the same story…lucky we are he be a master in the art of managing storage space.
The Scottish Chiefs - Jane Porter - Frontispice
But coming back to your question, yep … I bought The Scottish Chiefs by Jane Porter during our book quest into the Scottish section of the shop. The colour illustrations caught my eye. They are from N.C. Wyeth, an american artist and illustrator.
As mentioned in Wikipedia, his craft was sometimes seen as melodramatic, but his illustrations were designed to be understood quickly. Take a look at this one. The facts speak for themselves.
Wallace and Marion - Illustration by N.C. Wyeth
My edition of the book is that of 1933 and it was published by Charles Scribner’s Sons, NY, USA. The first Scribner publication was in 1921 and on eBay, I saw the 1925 edition selling for $75.00.
If you happen to fall on a copy of this book , don’t hesitate to buy it Mairiuna. What’s great about The Scottish Chiefs is the way Jane Porter has structured her plot around historical facts while adding romance to it all. Result ? A thrilling rendering of the times of William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, Edwin Ruthven and Andrew Murray.
“She bathes them in glory and we see them with her eyes; but though “Scottish Chiefs” is a panageric, rather than a formal history, it has been accepted by critics as genuine in spirit, if not in absolute detail” says Kate Douglas Wiggin in the introduction.
The Scottish Chiefs - Jane Porter
First published in 1810, her book gained popularity very fast and propagated the story of William Wallace in such a vivid and vibrant way that kids and adults alike could hardly put the book down.
Jane Porter was good friend with Walter Scott and they visited each other quite often. In one of the rooms inside William Wallace monument there is a superb bust of Walter Scott.
Reminds me…you still owe me a picture of William Wallace’s sword..
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I have a copy of this book (i think) the scottish cheifs by miss jane potter, published by james duffy 1841
Thanks Wendy for taking time to comment. Duffy’s 2 volumes was indeed published in 1841. Mairiuna has an undated illustrated edition but owner’s writing inside the book shows 1884 and her copy is published by Routledge & Sons. Would be great to list all the editions of this very interesting book.
I have a copy of the book left to me by my grandmother whose maiden name was Bruce. In physical size the book is very small (5.25″ x 3″).The copy of the book I have states as follows;
Published by D Huntington
T & W Mercein printers
1815
What is the value of this book in your opinion?
Thanks,
Greg Howell
Hi Greg! Indeed, you have a very small version of this book. If you have the complete 3 volumes of the original set, it is surely valuable. We found a listing for the Volume 1 on Abebook’s website. Copy and paste this link in your browser:
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=Jane+Porter&kn=1815&sts=t&tn=The+Scottish+Chiefs&x=59&y=17
Hope this help. Until next, all the very best. Mairiuna and Janice
Dear sir. I have the orignal copy of the book I got at an antigue shop for only $16.95. the year in which I think it was made in is 1831. I have not yet read the book. Plus I have a repordiduction of the Will Walce’s sword which is called a Claymore.