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 arch^t. (De).  Imprint: Published by Edward Cockrem Torquay Oct^r 1^st 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].

 

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[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.

 Banfield 2

Edwin Hamblyn Lammas was a printer, bookseller, librarian and even house agent (1844) in the 1840s. His guide book, Lammas’s Guide – Ilfracombe As It Is. 1839 (cover label) appeared 1839 and he is variously listed at addresses in Ilfracombe until 1855 (Montpelier Terrace in 1850; High Street 1852-1855). Somers Cocks credits three prints to Lammas (all 1840-41); however, none of these describes the two prints included in the guide book[1]. The map which appeared in this guide was lithographed and printed by George Rowe.

Size: 135 x 225 mm. 1 Inch (6 = 25 mm) Miles.

1. 1839 PLAN of the Town of ILFRACOMBE Published by J Banfield. Library, Ilfracombe. Signature below title: Lithographed and Printed by G Rowe Exeter Ho Cheltenham. The Reference (Ca) lists Banfield's Library, Lammas's (Library) and the Clarence Hotel. The map is a detailed plan of Ilfracombe from Longstone Cottage (Aa) to Langleigh House (Ec) and showing the coast with Ladies and Gentlemen's Bathing Places. South at top.

ILFRACOMBE AS IT IS, or the STRANGER'S GUIDE; with a Descriptive Arrangement of Excursions in the Vicinity, and a list of Roads, with their Distances to and from Ilfracombe.
Ilfracombe. Edwin Lammas. 1839.      BL[2].

A Guide to Ilfracombe and the Neighbouring Towns ... New Edition
Ilfracombe. J Banfield. 1842[3].          DevA, KB.

RETURN to list of Banfield Maps

NOTES:

[1] The three prints are 1197, 1305, 1609: however the author’s copy includes two views, Lantern Rock and Part of the Quay – Ilfracombe, 80 x 155 mm; and an unnamed view of a road rising to church with figures in the foreground, signed Day & Haghe, 100 x 160 mm (i.e. full page).

[2] BL 10352.a.52: 76pp. no illustrations. Author’s copy has no map (although called for) but two illustrations (see previous note). The Devon Libraries internet site lists an edition of 1840 only. 

[3] Second map included, see Banfield 1.

 John Banfield

John Banfield[1] established Banfield's Library in 1823 and by the 1840s was advertising 3000 volumes in addition to "the most popular works", and leading periodicals for the use of visitors to the area. The "comfortable and commodious" reading room was open to both Ladies and Gentlemen at moderate fees, and subscriptions could be taken out per week for the benefit of holidaymakers to the north coast. His first guide appeared in 1830 with a map, probably drawn by George Rowe and lithographed by Engelmann, Graf, Coindet & Co. In Billing's Directory of 1857 Banfield is entered as printer, bookseller, stationer, and lodging-house keeper; stamp distributor, and Actuary of the Savings Bank; library and fancy repository at 9, High Street. He registered as a printer as early as 1820 and was a registered newspaper agent by 1832 (see Exeter Flying Post). About 1856 he started Banfield's arrival list.

A total of 7 different maps printed for John Banfield have been seen:

Banfield 1 - A MAP of the NORTH of DEVON Engraved For BANFIELD'S Guide to Ilfracombe. Has signatures of G.R. and Engelmann, Graf, Coindet & Co. See below.

Banfield 2 - PLAN of the Town of ILFRACOMBE Published by J Banfield. Library, Ilfracombe. Signature of G Rowe.

Banfield 3 - A MAP OF THE NORTH OF DEVON Engraved For BANFIELD'S Guide to Ilfracombe. No signatures.

Banfield 4 - PLAN of the Town of ILFRACOMBE. Published by J Banfield. Library, Ilfracombe. 

Banfield 5 - A Map of the NORTH OF DEVON AND PART OF SOMERSET.

Banfield 6 - A MAP OF THE NORTH COAST OF DEVON with A PLAN OF THE TOWN OF ILFRACOMBE. No imprints or signatures.

Banfield 7 - A MAP OF THE NORTH COAST OF DEVON with A PLAN OF THE TOWN OF ILFRACOMBE. Signature of C King.

Banfield 1

Size: 150 x 195 mm. 1 Inch (6 = 25 mm) Miles.

1. 1830 A MAP of the NORTH of DEVON Engraved For BANFIELD'S Guide to Ilfracombe. Two signatures: G. R., Esq. Delt (AeOS) and Engelmann, Graf, Coindet & Co. Lith (EeOS). A key (Ae) with scale above. Second key (Ce) lists six different categories of roads. The coast is shown from Hartland as far as the Old Barrow in the east and south including Hartland, Bideford and South Molton.

A Guide to Ilfracombe and the Neighbouring Towns
Ilfracombe. J Banfield. 1830.      DevA[2], BL.

2. 1834 Rivers Bray and Mole added. Challacombe added, and name of Westland Pound moved.

A Guide to Ilfracombe and the Neighbouring Towns ... Second Edition
Ilfracombe. J Banfield. 1834.      BL, DevA, [NDL].

A Guide to Ilfracombe and the Neighbouring Towns ... New Edition
Ilfracombe. J Banfield. 1835, 1836, 1837.      KB; DevA, BL; DevA.

A Guide to Ilfracombe and the Neighbouring Towns ... New Edition
Ilfracombe. J Banfield. 1838, 1842[3].      BL, DevA, KB; DevA, KB.

RETURN to Main Catalogue

NOTES:

[1] See also the Introduction with Centres of Production - Ilfracombe.

[2] Illustration courtesy of Devon Archives and Heritage Centre. The BL copies are as follows: 1830 BL10360.aa.23, 1834 BL10358.aa.51, 1836 BL10354.a.1009 and 1838 BL10368.a.12. 

[3] Second map included is Banfield 2. Text is that of 1838 edition but new advert sheet and list of coach routes.