William Elliott 

William Elliott´s output seems to have been very limited but he did publish one folding map and, in 1841, he and E Cockrem published a small volume A Guide to Torquay containing General History and Antiquities, Explanation of the Panorama from Park Hill. The purpose of this volume was to issue an extremely attractive panorama in circular form of the view from Park Hill in Torquay (see Cockrem 2). The text explained the attractions visible. The map below was published around the same time: there are no railways although a contemporary hand has added them in manuscript.

From directories of 1844 and 1852 (eg Pigot) Elliott was at 1 Vaughan Parade as bookseller and printer. From about 1856 Elliott is registered at 2, Lawrence Place. Some time prior to 1848 he published a map A New Map Of The Environs of Torquay which was executed by E W Gribble as architect and Lewis of Exeter as engraver. Edward Wynne Gribble may have been the architect of Barton Hall (1830s) and of Bishopstowe (which later became the Palace Hotel) in 1841 for the then Bishop of Exeter, Henry Phillpotts. Gribble’s address was 8 Park Place, Torquay.

At some time before 1866 Leonard Seeley became the proprietor at 2, Lawrence Place, presumably taking over Elliott’s business[1]. He proceeded to reissue Elliott´s map in typical cardboard covers of the time. The company is named as L Seeley on the map, but Seeley and Son on the cover. The cover title of one issue was Seeley’s Map of Torquay and the Environs from the Ordnance Survey, exploiting the name of the OS. Ernest L Seeley (presumably the son) was at Lawrence Place in 1911/12.

L Seeley was selling a map with the same title circa 1890 which was based on the maps by Cary which were worn by this date, so it is unclear which map replaced which and why. The back cover of the map described below is interesting as it lists the kinds of publications that Seeley was selling at the time. These included Black’s guides, two Tourist’s Guides to Torquay, maps of Torquay and the neighbour-hood as well as Cruchley’s maps of Devon and Cornwall. In addition Heywood’s Guide to Torquay was also available at 1d or with a map at 2d. Seeley also sold Rowe’s Perambulations of Dartmoor but it is not clear which edition. The second edition was published in 1856 at a price of 6s 6d and this is the price on the back of the map - the third edition did not appear until 1896.

Leonard Seeley was the proprietor of the bookseller and stationer business but also operated a circulating library and was an agent for the Religious Tract Society. Among his assortment of books were Route Books, obviously the works of Henry Besley. 

 

Size: 470 x 370 mm. Scale of Miles (1 + 6 = 175 mm). 

A NEW MAP OF THE ENVIRONS OF TORQUAY (CaOS). Imprint: Published by W. Elliott, Bookseller & Stationer, Torquay. (CeOS). There are two signatures: E. W. Gribble. Archt, Direxit. (AeOS) and Lewis, Exeter, Execudit. (EeOS).

The map illustrates the area from approx. Ashburton and Teignmouth in the north to East Allington and Dartmouth in the south. The map shows woods and parks in the OS style. Railways have been added in ink from Teignmouth to Totnes and west, with lines to Brixham past Churston Ferrers and into Torquay town suggesting these were based on expectations and not on actual lines built.  

1.1840
A New Map Of The Environs of Torquay. (Cover has no title) 
Torquay. W Elliott. (1840). KB.


2. 1882 
Imprint: Published by L. Seeley. Bookseller & Stationer, Torquay. (CeOS). Railways are shown to Kingswear, Ashburton, Brixham town as well as part of the Ashton line from Heathfield just passing Teigngrace (1882).

Seeley’s Map Of Torquay And The Environs, From The Ordnance Survey Showing Every Turnpike Road, Bridleway And Lane Within A Radius Of Fifteen Miles (cover title) folding into orange covers[2].

A New Map Of The Environs of Torquay.
Torquay. L Seeley. (1882). KB.

 

Return to Overview and List of Maps.

For more details of William Elliott see my article Edward Cockrem and the Durnford Sisters, especially Chapter IV.

[1] A Besley guide of 1869 has an advert for L Seeley.
[2] This map could have been published earlier (see railways), but an additional line to back cover advertises Heywood’s Guide to Torquay. The first edition of this is believed to date to 1891.

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