Battle of Auerstedt (Auerstadt) 14 October 1806. An engraved and hand-coloured map 41, A. K. Johnston, Atlas to Alison's History of Europe, 1850 art print poster canvas gift

Battle of Auerstadt (Auerstedt) 14 October 1806 (map plate 41), engraved by A.K. Johnston for Atlas to Alison's History of Europe, published by W. Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh & London, in 1850.

Alexander Keith Johnston (1804 - 1871) was a Scottish geographer and cartographer. His initial interest to geography was inspired by inaccuracy of maps Johnston used in his early years hiking in West Highlands. After graduating from University of Edinburgh he joined his brother in printing business "W. & A. K. Johnston" which used the clan motto "Ready Aye Ready" as their logo. The rest of Johnston's life was devoted to geography and map making. Among other works, Johnston created the first English language physical globe of the world, and an atlas of military geography to accompany Alison's History of Europe, first published in 1848. The company W & A K Johnston were appointed engravers to King William IV and Johnston was later elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

The Battle of Auerstadt (Auerstedt) was fought on 14th of October 1806, north of Jena, near village of Auerstedt, Prussia (today’s Germany), between French army's III Corps (26.000) under Marshal Louis-Nicolas Davout and Prussian forces (60.500) led by King Frederick William III of Prussia and General Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick. Simultaneously a dozen miles away was fought the Battle of Jena (therefore, Battle of Jena – Auerstedt). The Battle of Auerstedt started in the morning of October 14th when marching French troops first encountered Prussian cavalry in heavy fog. During the following battle the Prussian commanders made a few piecemeal attacks but the French in squares repelled them for 6 hours. By 10a.m. the Duke of Brunswick was mortally wounded, the Prussian command has broken down, and the French were able to counterattack. The Prussian army collapsed and the King Frederick has ordered a withdrawal, losing 13.000 men killed or wounded, as well as 115 guns. Initially Napoleon didn't believe the news of Davout's Corps victory over the main Prussian force. Davout was made Duke of Auerstadt, and his III Corps were first to enter Berlin when French triumphally marched in on 25 October 1806. Battle of Jena - Auerstedt marked a major turning point in Napoleonic Wars (1803 - 1815).

This poster is a high quality "giclée" reproduction of a painstakingly restored antique original, custom-printed on Standard Single-weight Matt Coated art paper 140gsm or  Heavyweight Matt Coated art paper 230gsm (more of a thin card density), or superb Epson Matt Canvas 320gsm, according to your choice. We use the latest UltraChromeHDX pigment inks which guarantee 60 years of colour  permanence (up to 200 years fade-proof for colour prints).  This poster is suitable for mounting and framing, as well as direct display on a wall.