WAGNER & DEBES - Baedecker

Baedeker’s first Handbook, to Holland and Belgium, appeared in 1839 some years after John Murray’s first real guide. In the preface Karl Baedeker was courteous to note that Murray's Handbook for Travellers on the Continent had formed its basis and some of his later works also contained acknowledgements to Murray. The Baedeker series of guide books subsequently became the leading travel reference of the day for continental travellers abroad and when Murray sold out at the beginning of the 20th century, Baedeker was left as the most successful of the international guide book publishers in Europe. The titles continue today, being owned by the Allianz insurance company in Stuttgart, Germany.

The first editions of Baedeker’s Great Britain (in English) were issued in 1887[1]. In the preface Karl Baedeker acknowledges the work of J F Muirhead in contributing the bulk of the information provided. A second edition followed in 1890 and five editions appeared before 1901, each one revised and augmented by Muirhead. Baedeker was happy to give credit where this was due and he also praises Messrs Baddeley and Ward, recommending their guides; the Thorough Series. This may have partly been due to the fact that the Baedekers were also published by the Dulau company, the publishers of the Baddeley-Ward series.

The guides included numerous maps and plans. The first edition (lxii/530 pp.) included 14 maps and 24 plans plus one panorama. By 1901 (lxiv/600 pp.) this had increased to 18 maps, 58 plans and the panorama. Plans of Plymouth and Torquay were included and there was also a panorama of the north coast from Hartland to Porlock in three sections. All maps and plans were produced by the popular firm of Wagner and Debes who had premises in Leipzig, the seat of the Baedeker company. A plan of Exeter was added later.

Wagner & Debes 1


Size: 115 x 145 mm. Two scales.

No title. COAST OF NORTH DEVON. Imprint: Wagner & Debes' Geogl Estabt. Leipsic (AaOS). Scales: (3 = 37 mm) Statute Miles and (5 = 39 mm) Kilometres. The railway is not shown to Ilfracombe or Lynton.

The map shows the coast from Hartland to Porlock in three sections. Between the scale bars (both under map) is an explanation of the scale used; 1:127000 (two miles to an inch).

1. 1887 
Great Britain, England,Wales, and Scotland as far as Loch Maree and the Cromarty Firth
Leipzig. K Baedeker. 1887. KB (H E215[2]).

Great Britain. Second Edition
Leipzig. K Baedeker. 1890. KB (H E216).

Great Britain. Third Edition
Leipzig. K Baedeker. 1894. KB (H E217).

2. 1897 The settlement of Watermouth (refered to under Route 22 as a picturesque little harbour, with a large modern castle) added east of Ilfracombe.

Great Britain. Fourth Edition
Leipzig. K Baedeker. 1897. KB (H E218).

Great Britain. Fifth Edition
Leipzig. K Baedeker. 1901. KB (H E219).



Wagner & Debes 2


Size: 95 x 145 mm. Two scales.

TORQUAY. Imprint: Wagner & Debes' Geogl Estabt. Leipsic (EeOS). Two scales: (1320 = 14 mm) Feet and (500 = 17 mm) Metres.

Livermead Beach (but not named) to Ilsham Drive and north to Babbacombe. No hachuring and little development in Chelston. 

1. 1887 Great Britain / Second Edition / Third Edition
Leipzig. K Baedeker. 1887, 1890, 1894. KB; KB; KB.

2. 1897 Areas to the east up-dated; Ilsham Drive, Manor Gardens and Ilsham Lane added. Golf Course at Babbacombe with Babbacombe Road added. Bampfylde Road added.

Great Britain. Fourth Edition / Fifth Edition
Leipzig. K Baedeker. 1897, 1901. KB; KB.


Wagner & Debes 3


Size: 95 x 145 mm. Two scales.

No title. PLYMOUTH. Imprint: Wagner & Debes' Geogl Estabt. Leipsic (EeOS). Two scales: (2640 = 24 mm) Feet and (800 = 24 mm) Metres.

Hamoaze (no Torpoint or Edgecumbe) to Deadman's Bay (missing most of Catdown). 

1. 1887 Great Britain
Leipzig. K Baedeker. 1887. KB.

2. 1890 Mt Edgecumbe has been added.

Great Britain / Second Edition / Third Edition / Fourth Edition / Fifth Edition
Leipzig. K Baedeker. 1890, 1894, 1897, 1901. KB; KB; KB; KB.


NOTES:

[1] The first German edition was published 1889.

[2] The various Baedeker issues have been catalogued by Alex Hinrichsen: Baedeker’s Reisehandbucher 1832-1944; Ursula Hinrichsen Verlag; Holzminden, Germany; 1981. Only the English issues are listed here (E215-E219).






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