Arthur Westley 1

 NEW - Please note Westley 1 and 2 are now Cockrem 6 and 7.

Arthur Westley took over much of Edward Cockrem´s stock and rights to publish when Cockrem died in 1872. He was certainly keen to make the most of the tourist trade and general interest as his publishing output shows. One of the maps below still has its original covers and proves that Westley was offering all of the following for sale at the same time: Westley’s Tourist Guide to Torquay & Neighbourhood (certainly later editions of Cockrem’s guide); Westley’s Large Scale Plan of the Town of Torquay at 12 miles to the inch; Westley’s Map of 25 Miles Round Torquay; as well as books of views and also Westley’s Sixpenny Guide to Torquay & Neighbourhood (no known copy survives). His Westley’s Plan of the Town of Torquay at 8 inches to the mile (price 1/-, see below) as well as the same map but with a special index of over 1000 Villas, Terraces, &c. (price 1/6) were clearly later examples of Cockrem´s map Produced to accompany the Torquay Guide (which he continued to sell with amended imprint, see Cockrem 6 and 7).

The map described below was certainly drawn before 1886. It identifies the Great Western Hotel: this was built in 1881 and retained that name until 1885 when it dropped the “Great“ (in 1902 it became the Grand Hotel). The Admiralty Experiment Works are clearly labelled in Chelston: this was the brainchild of the engineer William Froude who designed a huge test bed to experiment with ship hull designs. The test centre started in his house in 1872 but moved to Gosport in 1886.[1] The approximate dating of 1883 also ties in with the imprint. Edward Stanford had premises at 55 Charing Cross until c.1886.[2]

The fact that the map was drawn up by Stanford´s suggests that Cockrem may have commissioned it about the same time as his two smaller maps for the later editions of his Guide to Torquay. 

Size: 445 x 720 mm (map only). SCALE (1/2 mile = 100 mm) MILE.            

A PLAN OF THE TOWN OF TORQUAY Published by ARTHUR WESTLEY 10, Strand Torquay. Printer's signature: STANFORD LITH, 55 CHARING CROSS, LONDON, S W. (EeOS). Signature: W PARKER, DELT (CeOS). Scale is eight inches to the mile. Grid A to R vertically and 1 to 28 horizontally (to locate dwellings and streets in the list).

The area covered is from Livermead and Shiphay Bridge (west) and to Hope’s Nose and Anstey's Cove (east). Map is coloured to show the various suburbs. Two indexes (Ea) and complete street index below map adding 150 mm to height of sheet. Illustrated.

1.1883             A Plan Of The Town Of Torquay 

Torquay. Arthur Westley. (1883). BL[3], KB[4].

 2.1883             Title, imprint and signature as before. Size is now 640 x 755 mm with panel below adding 150 mm to sheet size (800 x 800 mm complete). Scale bar now 145 mm (1/2 Mile).  

The whole sheet (including the index) is an enlarged copy of the above. However, the eastern side has been cut off and all of Hope’s Nose and Flat Rock and northwards to Anstey’s Cove is now lost (part of the latter sacrificed to include the index list). Hence, the grid is now A to R as before but only 1 to 20. The index has not been changed to exclude Hope Farm at 21L which has been cut off. 

A Plan Of The Town Of Torquay                        

Torquay. Arthur Westley. (1883). BL[5].

 3. 1886     The map is identical to state 1 except that the number 55 has been cleanly erased from the printer's signature.

Cover title simply TORQUAY. Cut, pasted onto linen and folding into 18 sections inside embossed green board covers.

 A Plan Of The Town Of Torquay 

Torquay. Arthur Westley. (1886). KB.

 

[1] See https://historicgosport.uk/haslar-admiralty-experimental-works/.
[2] Stanford’s moved to 26-27 Cockspur Street and the last date seen on maps with 55 Charing Cross is 1886.
[3] BL Maps 2140.(9.). Rebacked: Original orange paper label cover pasted on reverse; Westley’s Large Scale Plan of Torquay (From the Ordnance Survey), corrected to the Present Time… folding into six unequal sections. Largest section is 510 x 320 mm.
[4] Cover title Westley’s Plan of Torquay. From the Ordnance Survey, Corrected to the Present Time ... Scale 8 Inches To The Mile folding into orange paper covers.
[5] BL Maps 2140.(8.). Rebacked: Original cover pasted on reverse (front only), white paper label (180 x 115 mm) with title Westley’s Large Scale Plan of Torquay (From the Ordnance Survey), corrected to the Present Time ... Scale Twelve Miles to the Inch… folding into six unequal sections. Largest section is 510 x 320 mm.

Cockrem 6 

Please note: New Cockrem 6

 Cockrem´s Guide Book to Torquay – Map 1

 Was previously Westley 1

The first edition of Cockrem's Tourist's Guide to Torquay appeared in 1856[1] but did not contain any map. There appear to be two editions of this: an illustrated version with up to 14 views by Rock & Co. (240pp.); and a cheaper verion with illustrations but lacking sections such as geology, climate etc. (163 pp.). There was no map included which is surprising, given that Cockrem had already published three good maps (Cockrem 3, 4 and 5) which could have been exploited.

A revised edition was published circa 1865.[2] This edition included two new maps, both supplied by Stanford in London (see next entry). The guide now had 208 pages and just one frontispiece illustration. Reprinting took place in circa 1870 (last date in text p. 20 with Belgrave Congregational Church) and circa 1875 (p. 13 to do with the Petty Sessions Court built by W A Goss), both guides now having 220 pages, two maps and a list of Hackney Carriage Fares. By this time Edward Cockrem had died (on 4^th September 1872) and the guide was published by Westley & Co. shortly after they took over his business. A final revised edition appeared circa 1882, now under Westley´s title and imprint and simultaneously with a pocket-sized handy version with only one map (see next entry).

 

Size: 245 x 173 mm.   (1 + 2 = 57 mm) MILES.     

MAP OF TORQUAY and the ADJACENT COUNTRY (Ee). Imprint: Torquay: Edward Cockrem. (CeOS). Signature: Stanford's Geogl Estabt, Charing Cross, London (EeOS). Scale (AeOS).

The coast is shown from Clerk Rock north of Teignmouth as far as Durt Head south of Brixham. Ashprington (Ae) and Drum Bridge (Aa) are shown inland. Railway is shown with branch to Brixham. 

1. 1865            Cockrem's Tourist's Guide to Torquay

                        Torquay. E Cockrem. (1865).  KB.

 

                        Cockrem's Tourist's Guide to Torquay

                        Torquay. E Cockrem. (1870).  [CUL[3]].

 

2. 1875            Imprint: Torquay: Westley & Co. (late Cockrem). Librarians (CeOS). Along the right hand border, vertically, is a note: Westley & Cos. (late Cockrem) Large Plans of Torquay Price 1s 6d & 2s 6d. Ilsam has been corrected to Ilsham.

 

                        Cockrem's Tourist's Guide to Torquay

                        Torquay. Westley & Co. 1875.   DevA[4].

 

3. 1882            Imprint now: Torquay: Westley's Library (CeOS). Illustrated.

 

                        Westley's Tourist Guide to Torquay and its Neighbourhood          Torquay. Westley's Library. (1882).[5]   KB. 

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

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[1] The British Library date their first edition to 1856 (accession 12 DE 56) but this contains no map. One copy has a bookseller’s label of E L Seeley of Torquay. The last date in the text is 1853 (opening of the new Market).[2] Torquay Library has a copy dated 1865 which lacks any map but does have an engraving by Rock (D44 dated 12th June 1860 of Torquay from the Pier Head). Exeter date their earliest copy as 1865 but there is a note on page 13 dated 1875. The last dates In text are 1863 and 1864 in the section on climate by Edward Vivian
[3] Two copies dated 1868 and 1870.
[4] Two copies dated 1875 and 1878.
[5] Two adverts for insurers give financial positions for 1881, another established in 1782 is celebrating 100 years of business. However, the guide makes no mention of the Great Western Hotel built and opened in the same year which is shown on the second map of the 1882 edition.

 Besley 5 

         

Size: 365 x 215 mm. Scale of Miles (2 = 45 mm).

PLAN OF TORQUAY, From the Ordnance Survey (Ea). Imprint: Printed & Published by Henry Besley, Directory Office, South Street, Exeter.[1] (CeOS). Signature: Engraved by Becker & Son, Stationers' Court, London. (EeOS). Torquay Branch Railway (to Torre which is not named). Direction from Cockington (Ac). Most houses are numbered. Illustrated.

1. 1856 South of Devon and Dartmoor
Exeter. H Besley. (1856[2]). TQ, KB.

2. 1865 Torquay Branch Railway (Torre not named) then dotted, Intended Railway from Dartmouth. Direction from Cockington and Paignton (Ac). House numbers deleted. Reservoir added on Warberry Hill.

The Route Book Of Devon ... New Edition
Exeter. H Besley. (1865), (1869[3]). KB, RGS, DevA; DevA.

3. 1864 Dartmouth Railway to Torquay; neither station named. St Mathias Church at near Kents Cavern; the Manor House added at the Lincombes. Scale bar altered: 40 Chains = 60 mm.

South of Devon and Dartmoor
Exeter. H Besley. (1864). KB.

4. 1870 Railway to Torquay; neither station named. Development at Wellswood near Kents Cavern; the Lincombes extended with new roads and houses.

South of Devon and Dartmoor
Exeter. H Besley. (1870). DevA.

5. 1871 Large areas now developed, eg Tor and Wellswood. Torre station named and railway continues to edge of map. Windmill Hill added and old name deleted. Developments at Tor Abbey and Pleasure Grounds with two New Roads (eg today's Belgrave Road) and west of St. Marychurch Rd.

The Route Book Of Devon ... New Edition
Exeter. H Besley. (1871). KB[4].

6. 1873 New title: TORQUAY, ST. MARYCHURCH AND BABBACOMBE (Ae). Becker signature removed. Size: 370 x 245 mm. Babbacombe and St Marychurch included. Illustrated.

South of Devon and Dartmoor ..
Exeter. H Besley. (1873). KB.

South of Devon and Dartmoor ...
Exeter. H Besley & Son. (1875). KB.

The Route Book Of Devon ... A New Edition
Exeter. H Besley & Son. (1877). BL, KB.

South of Devon and Dartmoor ...
Exeter. H Besley & Son. (1880). KB.

7. 1897 Signature now: H, B, & S., E. (i.e. Henry Besley & Son).  Sea is printed pale green. Large areas have been developed, eg area behind Torre Abbey, Upton and beginnings of Chelston and Shiphay. Parish Boundary in key.

A New Pictorial and Descriptive Guide To Torquay, Paignton, Totnes ...
Torquay. Andrew Iredale[1]. (1897). KB.

8. 1900 Imprint: WARD, LOCK & Co LTD, WARWICK HOUSE, SALISBURY Sq EC (CeOS). Cary Park has a few more houses and is now named, Cockington is named, directions at Torquay station altered (now To and not From), Shag Rock and Thatcher Stone included and the Public Gardens at Meadfoot become Manor Gardens.

A New Pictorial and Descriptive Guide To Torquay, Paignton, Totnes Third Edition
London, New York and Melbourne. Ward, Lock and Co., Ltd. (1900).   KB.



[1] The imprint is approx. 11 mm below the lower border and is sometimes cut and sometimes cut off.

[2] The final page is an advert for Besley’s works Patronised by the Queen and relates to Her Majesty’s visit to the county in August 1856. Last text date 1856 (p.69). Map is cut narrowly at bottom, removing any imprint.

[3] Contains advertising section in which two pages have (69) in the bottom right corner.

[4] Page trimmed losing (possible) imprint.

[5] The signature is an abbreviation for Henry Besley & Son, Exeter. This map replaces a simple sketch map used from 1884 (see Ward & Lock 1). This volume was actually part of Ward & Lock's Pictorial Guide series (it has the usual red cover with London, Ward, Lock & Co. on the spine), but this issue has a title page attributed to Andrew Iredale - a local bookseller at The Library at 13, The Strand.