The chromatographic enantiomer separation of 9-anthraldimine derivatives of ${alpha}$-amino acid methyl and ethyl esters on four polysaccharide based chiral columns was performed. The 9-anthraldehyde Schiff base derivatives of ${alpha}$- amino acid esters were readily synthesized by stirring the ${alpha}$- amino acid ester hydrochloride salts with 9-anthraldehyde in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo [5.4.0]undec-7-ene as a base and anhydrous $MgSO_4$. Chiralcel OD or Chiralcel OD-H showed the greatest enantiomer resolution of 9-anthraldimine derivatives of ${alpha}$-amino acid methyl and ethyl esters. The L-enantiomers of all the analytes were preferentially retained on Chiralcel OD or Chiralcel OD-H. This analytical method was applied in the determination of optical purities of several commercially available D- or L-${alpha}$-amino acid methyl esters.