W M ROBBINS / JOHN TAIT 

John Tait (1837-1898) was born in Rugby where his father established the town´s first newspaper. After serving an apprenticeship and achieving his Master Printer he remained in Rugby with wife and four children until 1876. Several tragedies occurred during his years in his new home at Ilfracombe but he was able to establish a flourishing business. In addition, he ran the Chronicle and Visitor's List at 41 High Street.[1]

 The Ilfracombe and the North Devon Coast (cover title) was written by W Walters and appeared with his imprint 1878[2]. This appears to be the only guide published by Tait and he would, in any case, have competition from the current owners of the Library. This could have been either Milligan or Stewart. The book calls for no map but the copies seen usually have one loosely inserted into a pocket (or envelope) at the rear. The map is on thin paper, i.e. was probably designed for use with the guide book, and has no card covers or backing and not produced as a folding map.

Tait published a couple of works of local interest between 1878 and 1881; Combe Flowers, a set of poems by Anne Irwin a domestic servant in Ilfracombe with an introduction by Elizabeth Marriott; and Sweet Will, a selection of plays by H A Jones. In 1885 he sold the Chronicle and moved to London where he became a popular and respected contributor to Kensington News and the West London Observer.

Walters is known to have edited, and may have written, the text for Twiss and Son's guide book which appeared a number of years later.

Nothing is known about William Morgan Robbins before he began work in Ilfracombe circa 1878. He was one of the most influential architects for the town during the next years. In addition to the Royal Clarence Hotel and the Berkeley Hotel and stately villas  such as Royston, Grangewood and St Martin´s he was the main architect for the development of Church Street (Northcote Buildings) and the High Street.[3] 

 

Size: 180 x 400 mm (map).     SCALE OF CHAINS (12 = 62 mm). 

TAIT'S SKETCH MAP OF ILFRACOMBE. (Ea). Surveyor's signature: W M ROBBINS SURVEYOR, ILFRACOMBE  in lozenge (Ee).

The map shows the main part of the town. The harbour and Rapharee bathing place (east) and as far as the Parish Church (Ac). The railway station is just shown (Ae). Under the map is a list of references with the map being divided into 20 squares. The index lists all streets and notable residences although these are not shown on the map. Below is a note on use. Sheet size 280 x 440 mm. 

1. 1878  Ilfracombe: A Health Resort. A Guide to the North Devon Coast. By W Walters.

            Ilfracombe. John Tait. (1878).  BL, KB[4].


Brookdale Lodge, home of W M Robbins. Image copright Houses for Sale to Rent.


NOTES:


[1]See article by Mark Parr for the Holy Trinity Graveyard Group on Facebook.

[2] There is a letter to the Directors of the Ilfracombe Hotel Company dated 1877 on page 71; and one of the advertisements – for the GWR on page 96 – is dated Paddington, July, 1878.

[3] See, for example, the leaflet produced by Ilfracombe Tourist Office: Ilfracombe Town Trail 3.

[4]  DevA as well as Barnstaple and NDA have copies: it is not known whether these copies also contain the map.

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