134T

134. F P Becker / Henry Besley - North and South Devon 1857- 1858

Henry Besley’s Route Book Of Devon first appeared with a route map in 1845 (121) and with a map of the county in 1846 (122). A few years later he published new maps of North and South Devon for his hand books of North Devon and South Of Devon (each extracted from The Route Book). The two maps were used in both the Route Book and the North and South handbooks until c.1880 and subsequently by Ward and Lock in their Devon guides published from c.1886.

The two new maps do not cover the complete county (a small portion is missing, north and east of Broad Clyst) but with the discarding of the single county map, it is apparent that these two maps were intended to map the whole county. In the 1871 Route Book the small missing portion was almost covered by the introduction of a South East Devon map¹, but this was produced in London to a different scale and does not complement the others. Precise dating is difficult but the map of North Devon was first published c.1854-55 and South Devon c.1857-58.

Besley's maps were also used in Ward Lock’s Pictorial Guides. Ward and Lock started their own firm on Midsummer's Day 1854. The Locks were an influential Dorchester family and George Lock's father had married Eliza Galpin making George Lock (1832-1891) first cousin to Thomas Dixon Galpin, later to make his name with Cassell, Petter and Galpin. Ebenezer Ward (1819-1902) was a manager for the Illustrated London News publishers' book business. The two were introduced by Thomas Galpin and Ward Lock was launched with a £1000 loan from George Lock senior, the articles of partnership being signed June 23rd 1854. After initial friendly² relations and support, contact between the two cousins was broken when Galpin and his partner, George William Petter, took over Cassell's to found a rival business partnership. From 1891 until c.1897 James Bowden was a partner and the company traded under the name Ward, Lock and Bowden Ltd. Ward and Lock guides often included town maps (e.g. Exeter or Lynmouth) printed by G Philip and Son. The Besley maps were not replaced until the early 1900s when a map by John Bartholomew was used.

134N. North Devon 1857

Size: 310 x 400 mm. Scale of English Miles (10 = 78 mm).

NORTH DEVON. Imprint: Printed and Published by Henry Besley, Directory Office, South Street, Exeter (CeOS). Signatures: Engraved by Becker’s Patent Process on Steel, 11, Stationer’s Hall Court, London. (AeOS) and Drawn by Becker & Sons (EeOS). Inset map of Lundy I^d. Railways: GWR to Exeter and through St Thomas, lines to Tiverton and Bideford.

1.	1857	The Hand Book Of North Devon with a trip on the Crediton and North Devon Railways
		Exeter. H Besley. (1857³).	KB.

		Map of North Devon with Roads and Railways. (Paper covers, Price Sixpence.)
		Exeter. H Besley. (1857).	KB.

		The Hand Book Of North Devon with a trip on the Crediton and North Devon Railways
		Exeter. H Besley. (1857⁴).	DevA, KB.

2.	1862	Railways added: L&SWR to Exeter and line to Exmouth.

		The Hand Book Of North Devon …
		Exeter. H Besley. (1862*).⁵	DevA, KB.

3.	1868	All rail lines strengthened. Projected railways: Ilfracombe (via Bittadon), Colebrooke (Crediton) to Oakhampton, Taunton to Barnstaple.

		The Hand Book Of North Devon …
		Exeter. H Besley. (1868*).	KB.

		The Route Book Of Devon ... A New Edition
		Exeter. H Besley. (1871*).	BL, DevA, NLS, KB.

		The Hand Book Of North Devon …
		Exeter. H Besley. (1871*).	NDL, KB.

4.	1873	Both signatures removed leaving imprint. Railways to Ilfracombe (passing just east of Morthoe), Oakhampton, Torrington and Taunton-Barnstaple now complete.

		Besley’s West of England and Exeter Pocket Journal
		Exeter. H Besley. 1873.	DevA.

5.	1874	Besley imprint deleted.

		The Hand Book Of North Devon, Bude, Launceston, Tavistock, &c. with a trip on the Crediton and North Devon Railways
		Exeter. H Besley. (1874*).	BL, DevA, KB.

6.	1877	Imprint reinstated.

		The Route Book Of Devon
		Exeter. H Besley and Son. (1877).	BL, KB.

		The Hand Book Of North Devon, Bude, Launceston, Tavistock, &c. with trips on the North Devon, Devon and Cornwall Central, and Ilfracombe Railways
		Exeter. H Besley and Son.⁶ (1880*).⁷	KB.

7.	1880	Railways added to Minehead and the Oakhampton to Holsworthy line.

		Single sheet, linen-backed and folding into dark blue covers with paper label (135 x 90 mm).
		Exeter. H Besley. (1880).	KB.

8.	1887	Imprint: H. B. & S., E. added (EeOS). Key now includes Coaches and Steamers (routes). Steamer route Clovelly-Ilfracombe-Lynton. Coach routes include Holsworthy-Bude.

		Ward Lock’s Pictorial Guide To North Devon
		London and New York. Ward, Lock, And Co. (1887). ⁸	KB.

		Ward And Lock’s Historical And Pictorial Guide To Lynton, Lynmouth, Minehead &c
		London and New York. Ward, Lock, And Co., Ltd. (1890).	KB.

9.	1894	Railway Holsworthy to Bude added.

		Ward Lock’s Pictorial Guide To Lynton, Lynmouth, Minehead &c.
		London. Ward, Lock, And Co. (1894).	DevA.

10.	1899	Railway to Bude now In Course of Construction. Imprint:H. B. & S., E. (AeOS).⁹

		A Pictorial and Descriptive Guide To Lynton, Lynmouth, Exmoor, Minehead & Dulverton. Second Edition
		London, NY and Melbourne. Ward, Lock, And Co., Ltd. (1899).	KB.

11.	1900	Imprint: WARD, LOCK & Co., LTD, WARWICK HOUSE, SALISBURY SQUARE, E.C. (CeOS) and lithographer´s signature:: -. B. & D., E. (AeOS).¹⁰

		A Pictorial and Descriptive Guide To Lynton, Lynmouth, and North East Devon. Third Edition
		London, NY and Melbourne. Ward, Lock, And Co., Ltd. (1900).	KB.

134S. South Devon 1858

Size: 305 x 405 mm. Scale of Statute Miles (10 = 78 mm).

SOUTH DEVON AND DARTMOOR. Signatures: Engraved by BECKER’S Patent Process on Steel, 11, Stationer’s Hall Court, London. (AeOS) and Drawn by Becker & Sons (EeOS). Imprint: Printed & Published by Henry Besley, Directory Ofice, South Street, Exeter (CeOS). Graduated border from Whitesand Bay to Beer and inland to Exeter. Railways: to Torquay (actually Torre), Plymouth (and into Cornwall) and line to Crediton just visible.

1.	1858	The South Of Devon And Dartmoor Torquay, Teignmouth, Dartmouth … including a trip on the South Devon Railway …
		Exeter. H Besley. (1858).¹¹	DevA, KB.

2.	1862	Railway to Tavistock and to Churston with remainder still projected to Kingswear.

		Single sheet linen backed and bound into small booklet (100 x 70 mm).
		Exeter. H Besley. (1862).	DevA.

3.	1864	Railways completed to Kinsgwear, L&SWR to Exeter and on to Exmouth and projected Lidford-Oakhampton-Lifton and to Moreton Hampstead.

		The South Of Devon And Dartmoor Torquay, Teignmouth, … Kingsbridge, Tavistock, &c
		Exeter. H Besley. (1864), (1865).¹²	KB; [P].

4.	1870	Projected railway added: Exeter to Chudleigh then through Ashburton to Buckfastleigh.

		The Route Book Of Devon ... A New Edition
		Exeter. H Besley. (1870).	BL, NLS, DevA, Pl.

5.	1870	Railways completed to Brixham, Tavistock-Lifton and Moreton Hampstead.

		The Route Book Of Devon ... A New Edition
		Exeter. H Besley. (1870*).	KB.

		The Hand Book Of South Of Devon And Dartmoor.
		Exeter. H Besley. (1870).	DevA.

6.	1873	Becker signatures removed. Railways to Sidmouth with projected to Exmouth via Budleigh, Ashburton from Totnes (extension to Exeter still marked) and Lidford to Oakhampton.

		The Hand Book Of South Of Devon And Dartmoor … a Trip on the South Devon Railway
		Exeter. H Besley. (1873*), (1875).	KB; DevA.

		The Route Book of Devon
		Exeter. H Besley & Son. (1877).	BL, KB.

7.	1880	Oakhampton towards Holsworthy through Ashbury (line dissects name of Oakhampton).

		Single sheet, linen-backed and folding into dark blue covers with paper label (135 x 90 mm).
		Exeter. H Besley. (1880).	KB.

8.	1880	Line Oakhampton - Holsworthy passes right of Ashbury (no longer dissects Oakhampton).

		The Hand Book Of South Of Devon And Dartmoor … a Trip on the South Devon Railway
		Exeter. H Besley. (1880).	KB.

9.	1886	Besley imprint erased and new imprint H. B. & S., E. (EeOS) added. A new key below the title showing Railways, Coaches and Steamers. Teign Valley Ry from Ashburton still marked. Steamer routes: Plymouth to Kingsbridge and Kingswear to Totnes. Coach routes: in the coastal area of the South Hams and Exmouth to Budleigh Salterton.

		Ward Lock’s Pictorial & Historical Guide To Torquay, Teignmouth, Dawlish, Dartmouth, Totnes And Other South Devon Watering Places
		London and New York. Ward, Lock & Co. (1886+ ).¹³	MW.

		Ward Lock’s Pictorial Guide to South Devon
		London. Ward, Lock & Co. (1888+).	DevA.

10.	1893	Railways: L&SWR Tavistock-Plymouth, Launceston to Halwill via Ashwater and Plymstock. Station names in the west added in thick script. Coach route Plymstock to Yealmpton, Modbury and Kingsbridge. Steamer route Kingswear to Totnes deleted.

		Ward and Lock’s Pictorial and Historical Guide To Dartmoor
		London, New York, Melbourne and Sydney. Ward, Lock & Bowden, Ltd. (1893).	KB.

11.	1895	Railway and coach route to Kingsbridge.

		Ward, Lock & Bowden’s Plymouth, Tavistock &c
		London, New York and Melbourne. Ward, Lock & Bowden, Ltd. (1895).	KB.

		Ward Lock’s Pictorial Guide To Plymouth, Tavistock &c
		London. Ward, Lock & Co. (1896).	DevA.

12.	1896	Key below the title now shows Railways, D° (i.e. railways ) not completed and Coaches, i.e. Steamers and routes erased. Sea coloured. Railways: Budleigh Salterton, Ashton-Exeter¹⁴, Yealmpton, Turnchapel, L&SWR Tavistock-Lidford. Projected line Yealmpton-Modbury. Ashburton-Chudleigh-Exeter and Sidmouth to Exmouth lines erased. Coach routes are modified, erased or added, e.g. Venn Cross to Kingsbridge deleted.

		Ward Lock’s Pictorial Guide To Dartmoor
		London. Ward, Lock & Co. (1896).	DevA.

		A New Pictorial And Descriptive Guide To Dartmoor
		London, New York and Melbourne. Ward, Lock & Co. Ltd. (1897).¹⁵	KB.

		A New Pictorial And Descriptive Guide To Torquay, Paignton, Dartmouth & Totnes
		Torquay. Andrew Iredale.¹⁶ (1897).	KB.

13.	1898	Dartmoor now coloured and red circles added with key: Red 0 and figures indicate a few of the many places of interest and heights of the Tors on Dartmoor.

		Newton Abbot as a Tourist Centre and Guide to South Devon
		Newton Abbot. Vile and Williams. 1898.¹⁷	KB.

[1] SOUTH EAST DEVON: 280 x 382 mm. Scale of English Miles (7 = 88 mm). Imprint: Printed & Published by Henry Besley, Directory Office, South Street, Exeter (CeOS): and signature Engraved by W E Trott (AeOS) 2 Tysoe St London EC (EeOS). Exeter Westcountry Studies Library has a copy of a Besley guide to South East Devon c.1872 lacking the map.

[2] Edward Liveing; Adventure in Publishing – The House of Ward Lock 1854-1954; Ward, Lock & Co. Ltd; 1954.

[3] This guide may have been issued two years earlier: it has nine steel engravings dated 1854 but the last date in text refers to Crediton public rooms completed in 1852.

[4] Has advert for the second edition of Rowe’s Perambulations, published in 1856, as well as engravings dated 1856.

[5] Dates with added asterisk denote that the number, here (62), is added to the first page of adverts (bottom right).

[6] Besley was using the company of Adams and Francis (W J Adams & Sons) to distribute his books and views in London (p.17 of adverts).

[7] This edition has text dated to Sept. 1877 (p. 32) and a reference to Bideford Grammar School expected to be completed Michaelmas 1878 but the adverts section appears to be dated 1880, i.e. 80 printed on first advertising page.

[8] Spine title: Ward Lock’s Illustrated Guide to North Devon. This work contains four volumes in one. Contents include Exeter and its Cathedral; Ilfracombe, Barnstaple, &c; Bideford, Clovelly, &c; and Lynton, Lynmouth, Exmoor, Minehead, &c. Each section is paginated separately and each has its own index. There are probably many Ward & Lock guides still to be discovered.

[9] Presumably Henry Besley & Son, Exeter.

[10] This is presumably Besley & Dalgleish, Exeter and is the earliest known reference to the new partnership.

[11] Date approximate: last date in text is 1856 (p. 69); North Devon was published c.1854-57; and Saltash bridge opened 1859.

[12] Dates with added asterisk denote that the number, here (64) or (65), is added to the first page of adverts (bottom right).

[13] Guide Book Advertisement at the back is dated 1886: + denotes advertisement section is dated in some way.

[14] This was obviously speculative as the line was not completed until 1903.

[15] An edition dated 1899-1900 has been seen; unfortunately the map called for, of South Devon and Dartmoor, is missing.

[16] The spine and cover still have Ward and Lock's names. Andrew Iredale's address was The Library, 13 The Strand, Torquay. He also issued the 7th edition (c.1910).

[17] The front cover has Publishers: Messrs D Vile and F Williams; compiled by the latter. Below: Published and Printed at the “East & South Devon Advertiser” Offices, Newton Abbot, January 1898.

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