141. George Philip & Son - Atlas of the Counties 1862

REVISED February 2023 - New entries 5 and 6

George Philip (b.1799) was a Scotsman who established his bookselling business as geographical publisher and globe maker in Liverpool in 1834. His son, George II, joined the business in 1848, and a nephew, Thomas, in 1851: the firm traded as George Philip & Son thereafter. The firm moved to premises at 32 Fleet St, London in 1856. In 1879 there was talk of merging with J Bartholomew, but this did not materialise.[1]

The Philips produced two very popular county atlases of England, both with many issues up to the end of the century: Philips' Atlas of the Counties of England appeared c.1862 which was one of the first series of printed coloured county maps; and with smaller maps, Philips' Handy Atlas (B&B 149). Both of these atlases were preceded by corresponding atlases of Scotland and Wales respectively: Philips' Atlas of the Counties of Scotland (with 27 large maps) may have appeared as early as 1858; and [Philips'] Tourist´s Companion to North & South Wales in 1863. The larger maps were first sold as folding maps in covers as New Series of County Maps as early as 1862 before appearing in atlas form in 1866.[2]

Many counties were executed by Edward Weller, a very successful engraver who produced work for McLeod (B&B 140); for Collins County Geographies (B&B 152); and also for John Murry, e.g., the town plans of Plymouth and Exeter. Weller´s most successful maps (in terms of the numbers of upgrades and republishing) were those for the Weekly Dispatch, which were later used extensively by g W Bacon (B&B 136). Devonshire was produced by John Bartholomew and represents his first county map in an atlas of this kind.

Using the latest techniques and up-to-date equipment George Philip and Son constantly updated their maps to include the progress of the railways and often adapted them for other uses, e.g., as cyclists' maps. This included information such as signs for hills, Cyclists' Touring Club agents, repairers and hotels. Seven of these, including Devon, were adapted for C Arthur Pearson (c.f.) and appeared in 1897 in Pearson's Athletic Record 'every Wednesday morning. Price 1d. Full of interest to cyclists and all other sportsmen. One of these maps will be given each week. The maps were reduced in size, have added cycling information, and bear the note Pearson´s "Athletic Record" County Cycling Maps. Devon would be No. 7 or 8 in the series, but no copy is actually recorded.

Exploiting the county map plates, J L Allday’s guides to south Devon included a map of most of Devon taken from the same plates[3]; the Way-About series of gazetteer guides - a mixture of guide followed by a gazetteer of the county - appeared in the late 1800s. A number of these, including Devon, were based on one county, others were regional and illustrated with photographs and woodcuts. Devon was No. 15 in the series and a folding map was placed opposite the title page (1894). Another guide, Dodwell’s Pocket County Companion, by Robert Dodwell appeared at approximately the same time. The plan was to produce a series of 41 mainly county guides, although they are basically simply a gazetteer of towns and lack illustrations.

During the life of these plates, Philip produced folding maps which were sold in covers. A large number were specially adapted for cyclists and had new titles on their covers, others were standard atlas map sheets but folded into covers. The earliest were sold as Philips´ County Maps and could be bought “on sheets or folded in case, 1s each; or mounted on linen and in cloth case, 2s each (c. 1882). The paper copies were generally folded in green covers with embossed titles, only DEVONSHIRE being highlighted. Those dissected and mounted on linen generally had red covers with black print as well as gold highlighting. Some time later the maps became part of Philips´ Popular Series of County Maps and could be bought “in sheet and folded in cover, 6d each; mounted on cloth and in cloth case, 1s each; while those Mounted on cloth, superior style, in case, 1s 6d each. (c. 1885).

Size: 410 x 335 mm. English Miles (10 = 48 mm).

DEVONSHIRE (Ee). Signature: BY J. BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S. Imprint: GEORGE PHILIP & SON. LONDON & LIVERPOOL (CeOS). Printed in two colours to denote North Division and South Division of the county. No graticule. Railways to Bideford, Tiverton, Plymouth-Tavistock, Goodrington (Churston Ferrers) and Exmouth. Cornwall Railway shown. The village of Borough shown as part of Cornwall (Ac).

  1. 1862 Folded map mounted in attractive brown wallet.

                   Philips' New Series Of County Maps- .... - From The Ordnance Survey.

                   London and Liverpool. George Philip & Son. (1865). (BL), B, NLS.

  1. 1865 Railway to Watchet added, line now reaches Churston Ferrers and Sta(tion) added. No. 9 on reverse.

                   Philips' Atlas Of The Counties Of England

                   London and Liverpool. George Philip & Son. 1865.   GPL, Liv.

  1. 1868 Projected railways (dotted) added: Tavistock-Lidford-Launceston, to Kingsbridge, Ashburton, Seaton, Moretonhampstead with branch to Widdicombe, Brixham and Kingswear.

                   Philips' Atlas Of The Counties Of England

                   London and Liverpool. George Philip & Son. 1868.  KB.

  1. 1874 The map is graticuled on a 10’ grid; 1-7 vertical and B-L horizontal. Key added with railway symbols with Do constructing. Three colour shading with note: The colouring represents the Parliamentary Divisions & Parliamentary Boroughs. Plate number - 9 - (EeOS vertical). Railways to Minehead (and towards Winsford, Somerset), Torrington, Dartmoor Loop[1], Launceston, Brixham, Kingswear, Ashburton, Kingsbridge, Moreton Hampstead, Barnstaple-Taunton and Salcombe. Projected railways (two thin parallel lines) to Sampford Courteney from Torrington, Tiverton to Bampton, to Holsworthy and Bude, Ilfracombe (east route), Budleigh Salterton and Ashton[2] with routes north and south of Cornwall Railway at Looe (to Carradon). Previous projected railway to Widdicombe removed.

        Philip´s Atlas Of The Counties Of England Reduced From The Ordnance Survey

                     London & Liverpool. George Philip & Son. 1874, 1875, 1876, 1880. SGL; BL, Liv, W; BL; W.                                                                                             

The next two examples, 5 & 6 listed below, were both published parallel to the atlas publication 1874-1880 but have distinct characteristics unique to these two issues. Both lack the title DEVONSHIRE and the Bartholomew signature but the key remains. Complete county now uniformly printed in yellow, hence no note on Colouring. Philip's imprint and plate no. deleted. Railways as above.

  1. 1876 Issued as supplement to paper with statistics of county printed on back. Title: THE “PICTORIAL WORLD” MAP OF DEVONSHIRE (CaOS) and may have new imprint: Supplement to the Pictorial World. May 27th 1876 (AaOS). [3]

                   The Pictorial World - An illustrated Weekly Newspaper 

                   London. T G Ramell. 1876.   BL [W], NLS, V&A, (KB). 

  1. 1876 As state 5 above but without any reference to the Pictorial World. The page has been trimmed such that the decorative line below the title text (CaOS) has been left. Issued as a folding map in covers with Wyld label (no title as such). Label inserted (CeOS) with seller´s imprint: JAMES WYLD, Geographer to the Queen, / 11 & 12, CHARING CROSS, S.W.

                   (Devonshire) folding into covers 100 x 130 mm.

                   London. James Wyld. (1876).  KB.

  1. 1881 As state 3: DEVONSHIRE (Ee). Signature: BY J. BARTHOLOMEW, F.R.G.S. Imprint: GEORGE PHILIP & SON. LONDON & LIVERPOOL (CeOS). Printed in three colours with note. Philip imprint is 54 mm long, and plate number reinstated. Railways to Looe and to Hemyock. Projected railways dotted to Salcombe Regis near Sidmouth and Ilfracombe (west route but leaving east route as before).

                   Philips' Atlas Of The Counties Of England ... New Edition ... Complete with Consulting Index,

                   London and Liverpool. George Philip & Son. (1881).   KB.

  1. 1882 Imprint is 65 mm long. Projected route to Budleigh deleted and this map has railway to Looe (and Carradon) as still proposed. Line to Salcombe strengthened, i.e., completed. No note on colouring.

                   Philips' New Series Of County Maps- ... Green cover embossed with gilt DEVONSHIRE

                   London and Liverpool. George Philip & Son. 1882. KB.

  1. 1883 Imprint is 65 mm long. Railway to Looe (but Carradon branch deleted), Ashton (touches Doddiscombleigh, but no station), Ilfracombe and Hemyock. Projected routes from Launceston to Cornwall, Budleigh, Ilfracombe east route and to Kingsbridge deleted. Three colours and note.

                   Philips' Atlas Of The Counties Of England ... New Edition ...  Index,

                   London and Liverpool. George Philip & Son. 1883.   Midd, (KB). 

  1. 1885 This issue only: folded in cloth case or mounted on card. Principal roads are marked with red arrows and coded H, X and C for recommended hotels, Cyclists Touring Club agents and cycle repairs. County has no colouring so note on colouring removed. Station at Ashton and line slightly shortened.[1]

                   Philips' Cyclists' Map of the County of Devon (blue cover with title in gilt)    

                   London & Liverpool. George Philip & Son. (1885).  BL, B, DevA.

  1. 1885 Bartholomew signature erased. The map is now in five colours to show Parliamentary Divisions (with Exeter and Plymouth). Key is extended to include number of members returned to Parliament. Railway from Exeter to Bampton replaces proposed line.[2]

                   Philips' Atlas Of The Counties Of England ... New Edition ...

                   London and Liverpool. George Philip & Son. 1885.  BL, C.

                   Philips' New Series Of County Maps …

                   Red cover embossed SPECIAL EDITION with gilt DEVONSHIRE

                   London. G Philip & Son. (1885).  EB, KB.

                   Philips' New Series Of County Maps- ...

                   Green cover embossed SPECIAL EDITION with gilt DEVONSHIRE

                   London and Liverpool. George Philip & Son. (1886).  KB.

                   Philips' Atlas Of The Counties Of England

                   London & Liverpool. George Philip & Son. 1889.  W.                  

  1. 1886 Proposed railways Launceston-Halwill and L&SWR to Plymouth as pecked lines. Loose sheet possibly from an atlas. 

                   Philips' Atlas Of The Counties Of England ... New Edition ...

                   London and Liverpool. George Philip & Son. (1890).  (KB). 

  1. 1890 Launceston-Halwill line; line to Kingsbridge reinstated; line continues into Cornwall at Launceston; L&SWR line to Tavistock. Plate no and note railways under construction deleted.

Philips' New Series Of County Maps- ... Green cover embossed CLOTH EDITION with gilt DEVONSHIRE

                   London and Liverpool. George Philip & Son. (1890).   KB. 

  1. 1890 This issue only: folded in cloth case or mounted on card. Principal roads are marked with red arrows and coded H, X and C for recommended hotels, Cyclists Touring Club agents and cycle repairs. County has no colouring so note on colouring removed. Key has altered road information; Main Roads and Cross Roads. 

                Philips' Cyclists' Map of the County of Devon (paper label on brown covers with blue printing and title DEVON in red),

                   London. G Philip & Son. (1890).  KB. 

  1. 1894 This issue only: new imprint: ILIFFE & SON. MAP PRINTERS. COVENTRY & LONDON. Map has no colouring. Table of Parliamentary members, Railways constructing and colouring note deleted. No DEVON on reverse or 9.

                   The Way About Devonshire - No. 15. ... H S Vaughan[9]... (Size folded 180 x 95 mm.)

                   London. Iliffe & Son. (1894).  KB, Pl, TQ.

                   The Way About Devonshire - No. 15. ... H S Vaughan ... Second Edition[10]

                   London. Iliffe & Son. (1894).  P.

  1. 1896 This issue only: new imprint: George Philip & Son, 32 Fleet St. E.C. (EeOS). Note on parliamentary members reinstated. Map has no colouring and colouring note deleted. No DEVON on reverse.

                   Devonshire Pocket County Companion ... compiled by Robert Dodwell ...[11]

                   London. Tylston & Edwards and A P Marsden. 1896. TQ, KB.

  1. 1896 This issue only. Principal roads marked with red arrows and coded H, X and C (but not identical to state 14). Note on colouring removed. Railways into Cornwall from Holsworthy, Budleigh Salterton, Barnstaple-Linton and Plymouth-Yealmpton. Imprint: GEORGE PHILIP & SON. LONDON & LIVERPOOL (68mm, CeOS).                  

                   Philips' Cyclists’ Map of the County of Devon - Folding map in printed red covers                     

                   London & Liverpool. George Philip & Son. (1896).  KB.

                   Philips' Cyclists’ Map of the County of Devon - Folding map in printed red covers                     

                   London & Liverpool. George Philip & Son, Ltd. (1896).  KB.

  1. 1896 New outline colouring to show Parliamentary information and note on colouring with Parliamentary representation (Ee). Key shows Railways and Roads (coloured black and brown). Railways as black lines. Devon border extended to envelope Borough; and Court deleted at Clovelly. Imprint as last.

                   Philips' Atlas Of The Counties Of England  - Special Edition [12]

                   London and Liverpool. George Philip & Son. (1896).   KB.

                   Philips' Atlas Of The Counties Of England

                   London and Liverpool. George Philip & Son. 1896, 1899, 1900. [P[14]]; [P[15]]; W[13].

                   Philips' Atlas Of The British Isles [16]

                   London and Liverpool. George Philip & Son. (1900).   KB.

  1. 1897 The maps have been photographically reduced in size, have added cycling information, and bear the note Pearson`s `Athletic Record` County Cycling Maps No... [17]

                   Pearson's Athletic Record (assumed)

                   London. C A Pearson. 1897.

 

[1]  L Gardiner; 1976; p.24.

[2] R A Carroll; Printed Maps of Lincolnshire; Lincoln Record Society; 1996; Woodbridge. D Kingsley; Printed Maps of Sussex; Sussex Record Society; 1980; Lewes.

[3]  J L Allday produced three Allday’s … and South Devon. Illustrated Guide with maps (Babbicombe and Birmingham) for each of Paignton, Torquay and Newton Abbot and used part of the Bartholomew/Philip map.

[4] A short stretch from Mary Tavy to Longstone appears incomplete, possibly an engraver’s mistake.

[5] The lines are somewhat ambiguous but there are clearly two “roads” along the river. Ashton Station opened in October 1882 and the line was extended to Christow a year later.

[6] The British Library has only copies of Berks, Bucks, Essex and Lincs., but the NLS and V&A are reported to have the complete year 1876. Kingsley (1980) gives the position of the Supplement text line as being very near the top edge of the paper and “On impressions this inscription is cut off in binding”. Recently, (October 2022) a dealer was offering a number of counties and half were missing this Supplement line (8 of 16 maps on offer). Stafford was seen with an extra line at the bottom: The Third of the Series of COUNTY MAPS Issuing Gratis with The PICTORIAL WORLD Illustrated Newspaper: THREEPENCE Weekly. The author´s copy of Devon (illustrated) has no extra notes besides title line.

[7] The proposed line and the first insertion originally extended to meet the name of the village Doddiscombeigh but was shortened when Ashton station was added just short of Christow.

[8]  Allday’s …. South Devon Illustrated Guide with Map (see text above, 1890) has a transfer of the south part of the map retaining the portion south of Torrington. The map has a new title SOUTH DEVON and DARTMOOR (370 x 410 mm); it retains old scale bar, 10 = 58mm, and key but has a North point (Ed).

[9]  Most illustrations in Devon volume are dated 1894 and there is an advert for a Cyclist's Road Book of 1895. Map printed plain on thin paper. David Smith (1985) reports that Surrey, Kent, Warwick, Derby, Norfolk, Suffolk, Sussex, and Hertford were produced but the inside cover of Devon has Norfolk and Suffolk as one guide giving those listed by Smith as the volumes 1-7 respectively plus, in addition, Middlesex, Hereford and Oxford (guides 8-10) with guides covering South Wales, the Lake District, Hampshire with the Isle of Wight (11-13) and Devon as No. 15. (14 omitted, might be Cornwall). An advert at the back also lists (without numbering) Somerset (probably 14), Essex (18 according to CUL), Northumberland and Durham (16), Ireland (17) and East Anglia (18?). More guides followed: Worcestershire was No. 19 (BL), Berkshire 20 (Bod), Bucks 21 (CUL), Yorkshire 23 (CUL), Cambridge 24 (CUL) and Bedfordshire 25 (V&A).

[10] Identical layout and text but paperback cover with view of Clovelly.

[11] Of 41 listed on the inside cover of the Devon volume, only five other counties are recorded: Berkshire, Lancashire, Hampshire and Derbyshire (all at BL and NLS); and Norfolk is mentioned in an article in the Athenaeum of 1897 (p.781).

[12] Atlas lacking title page. Cover title as given with: – Shewing the new parliamentary divisions. Has 48 maps including 1 Index Map, North and South Wales and islands.

[13]  The atlas was reprinted 1904-5, the maps now have the imprints: LONDON: THE GEOGRAPHICAL INSTITUTE; 32 FLEET STREET. LIVERPOOL: PHILIP SON & NEPHEW, 45-51 SOUTH CASTLE ST.

[14]  A copy once owned by D Kingsley.

[15]  Listed in Whitaker, The Printed Maps of Northampton; 1948, but no copy has been seen since.

[16] Atlas with title page as given. Cover title Atlas of the British Isles. Has 61 maps including 3 index maps of 8 of Scotland and Ireland.

[17]  The British Library has 1. Surrey, 2. Middlesex, 3. Kent, 4. Hertford, 5. Essex, and 6. Sussex. David Smith (1985, p.148) writes that Devon and Derby were also issued and Eugene Burden (1991, p.194) writes that eight maps were produced.

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