Peninsular War, 1807-1814
![Printed map. Six visual scales [13 cm = 70 British miles]. "Requisite for the Intelligence of Military Operations." Inset: table with distances between principal towns in Spain. Inset: text pertaining to authority information for the compilation of the map. A Robert Clifford ownership label is affixed to the verso. Acquired by McMaster University in 1969 as part of the Lord Cholmondeley collection.](/files/original/95893e749296d11dbcba127897f43719.jpg "Printed map. Six visual scales [13 cm = 70 British miles]. \"Requisite for the Intelligence of Military Operations.\" Inset: table with distances between principal towns in Spain. Inset: text pertaining to authority information for the compilation of the map. A Robert Clifford ownership label is affixed to the verso. Acquired by McMaster University in 1969 as part of the Lord Cholmondeley collection.")
A new map of Spain and Portugal
Geographer: Nantiat, Jasper
Publisher: Faden, William
Date: 1810
The best maps of Spain and Portugal available at the outbreak of the Peninsular War were those of D. Tomas Lopez (see our online exhibit) which utilized pictorial relief and whose accuracy may have been sufficient as a travel map but not as a military one. This map by Jasper Nantiat marks the true progress being made in the ability to depict topographic relief more realistically.
Like many in this exhibit, it was dissected into panels and pasted onto a linen backing for durability. This type of mounting was often the responsibility of the map purchaser. British Lieutenant William Swabey, serving in the Peninsular War, commented in his diary entry of May 4th, 1812 that he, “pasted one of Faden’s maps which my idleness has long neglected.”
Although its size makes it practical only for use at a staff table, Faden also published a smaller version of the map in 1812 for use in the field.
McMaster University Library
Lloyd Reeds Map Collection
Rare Map Collection no. 4384
http://digitalarchive.mcmaster.ca/islandora/object/macrepo%3A78179
![Printed map. "Dressée par Lapie, Ingr. Géographe." 3 visual scales [650 mm = 25 Spanish leagues]<br />
Insets: CARTE PARTICULIERE / des Routes de Postes de Madrid aux Châteaux Royaux. Shows postal routes (by stage-coach [voitures], by horse, by foot [non montée]), itineraries and main roads. Includes a table of the divisions and provinces of Spain and Portugal. A Robert Clifford ownership label is affixed to the verso with the text "Spain. Postes." Acquired by McMaster University in 1969 as part of the Lord Cholmondeley collection.](/files/original/af16d3747f2beceea92ce87df039b3a4.jpg "Printed map. \"Dressée par Lapie, Ingr. Géographe.\" 3 visual scales [650 mm = 25 Spanish leagues]<br />
Insets: CARTE PARTICULIERE / des Routes de Postes de Madrid aux Châteaux Royaux. Shows postal routes (by stage-coach [voitures], by horse, by foot [non montée]), itineraries and main roads. Includes a table of the divisions and provinces of Spain and Portugal. A Robert Clifford ownership label is affixed to the verso with the text \"Spain. Postes.\" Acquired by McMaster University in 1969 as part of the Lord Cholmondeley collection.")
Carte des routes de postes et itinéraires d’Espagne et de Portugal
Geographer: Picquet, Charles
Date: 1810
This miniature map would have been ideal for use in the field during the Peninsular War (1807-1814). It was produced by the leading Géographe-Graveur in Napoleon’s topographical bureau, Charles Picquet, who was also the man responsible for dissecting and mounting Napoleon's maps on linen for ease of folding and transport in cartons. Napoleon is believed to have said, “a detailed map is a weapon of war.” Whether or not he actually said it is debatable, but his actions speak louder than words. When on campaign, Napoleon travelled with two wagons filled with maps, while his personal wagon had been custom made into an office fitted out with drawers for use as a small reference library. Unfortunately for Bonaparte, he suffered a major cartographic loss when retreating from Moscow in 1812. His map wagons were captured by the pursuing Russian army who took the entire collection of geographic booty to St. Petersburg.
McMaster University Library
Lloyd Reeds Map Collection
Rare Map Collection no. 4382
http://digitalarchive.mcmaster.ca/islandora/object/macrepo%3A78252