Edward Cockrem 

Edward Cockrem was a highly successful publisher based in Torquay. A large number of works are known with his imprint. 

The first of these is The Panorama of Torquay of 1830/1832 (see below) but other works by Cockrem are known with maps or plans.

For Cockrem and Elliott´s A Guide to Torquay (1841) click here for access.

For Cockrem´s Map of the country ... neighbourhood of Torquay (1842) click here for access.

For Cockrem´s Plan of the Town of Torquay (1853) click here for access.

For Cockrem´s Map of Torquay and the Adjacent Country (1856) click here for access.

For Cockrem´s Map of Torquay and the Adjacent Country (by Stanford) (1864) click here for access.

For Cockrem´s Plan of the Town of Torquay (by Stanford) (1864) click here for access.

For an overview of Cockrem´s life and works (and connection with the "Alphington Ponies") click here for access.


Cockrem 1 

The first publication known to be published by Edward Cockrem was a small guide, The Panorama of Torquay, which was A guide to the institutions, scenery, and antiquities. Antagonisingly it was Printed and Published for the author by Edward Cockrem, hence the identity of the author remained a mystery. This short work[1] was written by a Torquay resident in 1830. Two years later, a much longer work appeared written by Octavian Blewitt and also titled The Panorama of Torquay. The similarity of title leads one to suspect cooperation if not works of the same pen. Additionally, Blewitt's work was now in its second edition. This Second Edition was published in 1832 with the following note: The following pages have been wholly rewritten, and now contain more than ten times as much matter as the first edition, although that impression has been twice pirated.[2] This later edition has 5 lithographs by or after G Rowe, a wood engraving by G P Hearder[3] and a small map of the parishes of Torbay drawn by R Brown, architect and engraved by the lithographer George Rowe. The later Panorama is very different to the former work but both writers are very irate at the removal of certain items from Torre Church and it would seem that Blewitt in fact wrote both works.

Octavian Blewitt (1810-1884) was actually born in London but lived in Cornwall and went to school in Plymouth. Although he moved back to London to complete his medical studies in 1833 he never qualified and seems to have become a private tutor. He travelled extensively and later in his life he wrote guides on Central Italy (First and Second Editions; 1843 and 1850), the East (edited the Second Edition; 1845) and Southern Italy (First and Second Editions; 1853 and 1855) for John Murray. He was elected Secretary to the Royal Literary Fund in 1839, a post he kept until his death[4].

George Rowe (1797-1864) was born in Dartmouth and worked in Hastings and Cheltenham as well as in Exeter. He was a draughtsman, lithographer and publisher of topographical views mainly after his own designs.[5] His output of engravings was impressive and Somers Cocks has no less than 19 entries with work by him. He also produced two maps for John Banfield of Ilfracombe (c.f. Banfield 1 and 2). Brown also produced maps for others (e.g. Besley). George Parry Hearder, as well as producing work for Blewitt (below), also produced a series of wood engravings after various artists for The South Devon Monthly Museum which appeared in seven volumes between 1833 and 1836 (JVSC S.222). He was also related to the Hearders of Plymouth and Torquay (c.f.). 

 

Size: 135 x180mm.                     No scale.                                         

A TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP OF THE PARISHES In The Vicinity of Torbay Illustrative of the District and ANTIQUITIES Described in the “PANORAMA of TORQUAY” Drawn by R Brown archt. (De).  Imprint: Published by Edward Cockrem Torquay Octr 1st 1832 (CeOS). Signature: Geo. Rowe lith. (CaOS). 

1. 1832      
The Panorama Of Torquay  ... by Octavian Blewitt ... Second Edition[6]                 
Torquay: E Cockrem. London: Simpkin & Marshall. 1832.   BL[7], NA, DevA, TQ, KB, [NDL].
 


[1] This had only 87 + vii pages and has a Preface dated April 1830.

[2] Exeter West Country Studies Library catalogue contains a record of a copy of the first edition pirated by Luscombe of Torquay in 1830 which was subsequently suppressed. There was a Luscombe working as bookseller in Torquay at this time (see Croydon 2).

[3] Somers Cocks sources: S.121; single prints: 3101, 3181, 3182.

[4] Lister; p. 105. Although Lister reports that the guide to Torquay was dedicated to Bulwer Lytton, the earlier guide was not dedicated and the second to Henry Woollcombe, President of the Plymouth Athenaeum.

[5] Mackenzie; p. 276.

[6] The first edition appeared in 1830, published by Cockrem but no indication of the author. The preface is dated April 1830. This edition has no illustrations, the new edition had 5 lithographs by or after G Rowe and a wood engraving by G P Hearder. See JVSC S. 121.

[7] BL 579.b.44.

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