A & C Black  3a, 3b and 3c - River Tamar and Dartmoor

Each issue of Black's Guides (listed under Torquay, c.f.) contained three single page maps: of Dartmoor Forest, and the River Tamar (two strip maps). These very basic maps were updated first with the deletion of Macfarlane´s signature and subseqently only to show new railways and Bartholomew´s various signatures after 1889.

The small changes made are listed below.   

(3a) DARTMOOR FOREST. Plymouth to Oakhampton.   English Miles 5 = 25 mm.

(3b) RIVER TAMAR. UPPER PORTION. Launceston to Wooley Barrows. English Miles 5 = 32 mm.

(3c) RIVER TAMAR. LOWER PORTION. Plymouth Sound to Lawhitton. English Miles 5 = 32 mm.

All have imprint: Published by A & C Black, Edinburgh. Signatures: J. Bartholomew Edin^r; and Printed by W H Macfarlane, Edin^r.  Size: 140 x 85 mm (each).  

1. 1862            As described above.

2. 1863            Macfarlane's signature removed.

 

3. 1865            (3b) Railway to Launceston (Ce). 

                        (3c) Railway to Launceston. (Ea).

 

4. 1867            (3b) Planned railway to Bude (via Holsworthy) and line to Cornwall from Launceston shown (just short of Egolskerry it proceeds in a southwesterly direction to Trewen).

 

5. 1875            (3a) Railway from Tavistock to Oakhampton complete.

 

6. 1881            (3a) Railway from Holsworthy to Elmdon added.

                        (3b) Railway from Holsworthy deleted

 

7. 1887            (3b) Railway from Launceston (to Halwell) added.

 

8. 1889            (3c) Signature: J. Bartholomew & Co. Edin^r.

 

9. 1890            (3a) and (3c)  Signature: J. Bartholomew & Co. Edin^r. Also Copyright (AeOS).

                        (3b) Signature: J. Bartholomew & Co. Edin^r.

 

10. 1891          (3a) Signature reverts to: J. Bartholomew Edin^r. No Copyright (AeOS).

                        Imprint: Published by A & C Black, London. (NB: imprint varies in length 25-28 mm.)

                        (3b) Signature: J. Bartholomew & Co. Edin^r. No Copyright (AeOS).

                        (3c) Signature reverts to: J. Bartholomew & Co. Edin^r. No Copyright (AeOS).

                        Imprint: Published by A & C Black, London. L&SWR from Tavistock to Plymouth.

 

11. 1892          (3b) Imprint: Published by A & C Black, London.

 

12. 1898          (3b) Blue for sea. Planned railway from Holsworthy to Bude (two parallel lines) added. Line from Launceston now proceeds in a northwesterly direction.

                        (3c) Blue for sea.

 

13. 1901          (3a) Dartmoor map has blue colour at coast.

                        (3b) Printed in full colour. Railway from Holsworthy to Bude.

                        (3b) Printed in full colour.

A & C Black 6 - Ilfracombe 

A map of Ilfracombe was first introduced into Black’s Guide To Devonshire in 1889. This was used in editions up until 1895 when it was replaced by a new map by Walker & Boutall (c.f.). Illustrated. 

Size: 80 x 145 mm.                                                         No scale. 

ILFRACOMBE (CeOS). No imprint. Signature: Revised by W H Gould Esq (AeOS).

Begins west of Langleigh and extends east to Larkstone Beach. Map has Railway Station (Be). 

1. 1889       Black's Guide to Devonshire ... Thirteenth Edition
                    Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1889 - 1891.

                Black's Guide to Devonshire... Fourteenth Edition
                Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1892 - 1893.

2. 1894     Signature removed. A few houses and road added near The Torrs, St Peter's Church added, Victoria Pavilion added, direction From Braunton in border (Ce). 

                    Black's Guide to Devonshire... Fourteenth Edition
                    Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1892 (1894) .

A & C Black 5 - Exeter 

A map of Exeter was first introduced into Black’s Guide To Devonshire in 1882, twenty years after the first edition. The map had already been used in Black's Guide to England and Wales of 1881 and may have been available earlier. This, original map, was larger and clearer than the version included in the Guide to Devonshire. This map was then used in editions up until 1895 when it was replaced by a new map by Walker & Boutall (c.f.). During this time the only change to the map area itself took place in 1892.

An interesting note to the list added below the map in 1882 is the information that the distance from London by L&SWR trains is 172 miles taking 4 hours while by GWR the distance is 194 miles and takes 4 hours 15 minutes. 

Size: 90 x 140 mm.                                                                         Scale of ¼ Mile = 23 mm. 

EXETER (CaOS). Imprint: A & C Black. Edinburgh. (CeOS). Signature: J Bartholomew. Edinr (EeOS). Scale (Ee).

The only property on the west of the river is St Thomas the Apostle Church (the rest is empty space) and the plan extends east to Polsloe Park to include the Workhouse. Map has City Prison and New Cemetery. Illustrated. 

1. 1881  Black's Guide to England and Wales ... Twelfth Edition                         Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1881. 

2a. 1882  Size reduced to 90 x 80 mm deleting all but the minimum on the west (i.e. just leaving St Thomas Church) and deleting everything east of the end of Paris Street. Title moved (now CeOS). No imprint or signatures. List added below map title has hotels, railway stations, distance from London etc., location of Post Office and population (1881) given as 37,608. List ends: Returns 2 M.P.‘s (sic). Scale bar moved to centre (Ce). 

                Black’s Guide To Devonshire ... Eleventh Edition
                Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1882, 1883, 1883 (1884).     

2b. 1884  Population (1881) now corrected to 37,665. Hotel list now has Royal Clarence and The Globe. Illustrated below. 

                Black’s Guide To Devonshire ... Twelfth Edition

                Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1884, 1885, 1885 (1886), 1886, 1886 (1887), 1886 (1888), 1889, 1889 (1890), 1889 (1891), 1892, 1892 (1893), 1892 (1894).  

2c. 1889 M.P. information deleted. Hotel list now has Royal Clarence before Pople’s New London. 

                 Black’s Guide To Devonshire ... Thirteenth Edition

3. 1892  New deleted at cemetery and City Prison now Rougemont Hotel. New Theatre added near castle. Post Office now at end of High Street. Population (1891) now given as 37,580. Hotel list begins with Pople’s New London. 

                Black’s Guide To Devonshire ... Fourteenth Edition

A & C Black 4 - Plymouth, Devonport & Stonehouse

Size: 145 x 240 mm.  Scale of Yards (1000 = 35 mm). 

PLYMOUTH, DEVONPORT & STONEHOUSE. Imprint: Published by A & C Black, Edinburgh. Engraver's signature: Drawn & Engraved by J. Bartholomew Edin^r F.R.G.S. (AeOS); and printer's signature Printed by W H M^cFarlane, Edin^r (EeOS).

Area shown is from Torpoint to The Laira, and Keyham Ho. (Ba) and Ford Park Gardens (Da). 

1. 1862  Black’s Guide To The South-Western Counties ... Dorsetshire, Devon, And Cornwall

              Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1862. 

   

              Black’s Guide To The South-Western Counties ... Dorsetshire, Devon, And Cornwall

               Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1862, 1862 (1863).   

 

2. 1863   Printer's signature removed. Illustrated. 

               Black’s (New) Guide To Devonshire .

               Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black.  1863 to 1877 all editions.

 

                Black’s Guide To The South-Western Counties ... Dorsetshire, Devon, And Cornwall

                Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black.1864 to 1875 all editions.   

                Black’s (New) Guide To Devonshire .

                Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black.  1879, 1880[1].

 

                Black's Guide to England and Wales ... Tenth Edition

                Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1872.

 

                Black's Guide to England and Wales ... Twelfth Edition

                Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1881.

 

3. 1877    Signature shortened: J. Bartholomew Edin^r F.R.G.S. 

                Black’s Guide To Devonshire

                Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1877

 

4. 1878    Signature shortened leaving J. Bartholomew Edin^r.

              Black’s Guide To ... of Dorset, Devon & Cornwall 10th

              Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black.1878. 

              Black’s Guide To Devonshire

              Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black.1878, 1881. 

5. 1881   Map revised with addition of London & South West Railway to Friary Road station to Stonehouse Pool, SDR name changed at Mutley Road station, new developments at Rose Hill between Mill Lake and Stoke, more properties by gas works at Keyham Lake and 2 buildings at Mill Bay. Barracks replaces Sandycove House. 

                  Black’s Guide To ... of Dorset, Devon & Cornwall 11th

                  Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black.1881.

                 Black’s Guide To Devonshire

                 Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1882.         

 

6. 1884    Signature reinstated: Drawn & Engraved by J. Bartholomew Edin^r F.R.G.S. Illustrated.

 

                 Black’s Guide To Devonshire

                 Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1883 (1884).

 

7. 1886    Signature shortened leaving Drawn & Engraved (gap) J. Bartholomew Edin^r. The map has been extensively revised with many new buildings shown between Catdown and Little Saltram, especially at the latter and at Friary Station, new developments between Mill Lake and Stoke including new roads, and more properties at Keyham Bridge. West Hoe Road named.

 

                Black’s Guide To Devonshire ... Twelfth Edition – Thirteenth Ed.

                Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1886 - 1889.                           

 

8. 1890    Signature: John Bartholomew & Co, Edin^r. North bank of Mill Lake extended. Pontoon and housing at Mill Bay and West Hoe.

 

                 Black’s Guide To Devonshire ... Thirteenth Edition

                 Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1889 (1890).             

 

9. 1891    Infectious Diseases Hospital added. Little Saltram expanded - Little Tothill fully developed.

 

                Black’s Guide To Devonshire ... Thirteenth Edition

                Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1889 (1891).  

 

10. 1892  Signature reverts to: J. Bartholomew Edin^r. Imprint: Published by A & C Black, London.

 

                Black’s Guide To Devonshire ... Fourteenth Edition

                Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1892.   

 

11. 1892  Title: PLYMOUTH AND DEVONPORT (CaOS) with added imprint: Black's Handy Atlas of England and Wales (AaOS) and Plate number Plate 61 (EaOS). Signatures: John Bartholomew & Co. and The Edinburgh Geographical Institute (AeOS). The area between Mill Lake and Cemetery Road now fully developed. New layout at Friary Station (new road and siding). Map area is larger – 170 x 245 mm – to include Maker Church and Withy Hedge. 

                 Black’s Handy Atlas of England and Wales

                 Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1892.  

12. 1893  Title, signature, size and imprint as state 10. Stoke Cemetery with perimeter shown. Pymouth Cricket Ground. The Hoe now completely filled with buildings. 

                Black’s Guide To Devonshire ... Fourteenth Edition

                Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1892 (1893), 1892 (1894).               

 

13. 1895  Signature reinstated: J. Bartholomew Edinr. Mill Lake becomes Dead Lake. Illustrated. 

                Black’s Guide To Devonshire ... Fifteenth Edition

                London and Edinburgh. Adam and Charles Black. 1895, 1895 (1897[2]).    

14. 1901  Catdown is almost completely developed, eg Beaumont and Salisbury Roads. More roads south of Julian Street. Ford Park Gardens almost surrounded by built up areas. 

                Black’s Guide To Devonshire ... Sixteenth Edition                London. Adam and Charles Black. 1898 (1901).                                              

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[1] The author's copy has attractive hand-coloured wash colour.

[2] Light printed colour suggesting water (1897); full colour added for 1901 issue.

 John Cooke

John Cooke executed a vast number of cartographic works and there is a website blog dedicated only to his output. This can be found by going back to the list of my blogs, or alternatively, use the direct links below to access particular parts. If you know which map you are looking for (you know title, date, or subject) then probably you should use link 3 below.

 

1. For a complete account of John Cooke´s life and career - click here

2. For an account of John Cooke´s life and career in Plymouth - click here 

3. For a short list of John Cooke´s cartographic output - click here - this will lead you to a listing from where you can access each map individually. 

NOTE: The numbering is NOT identical to that used in the first edition of Tourist Maps of Devon as it includes his early (London) work. 

Entries 1 to 18 and Entry 21 relate to works executed while in London and are not associated with the west country;
Entry 19 was executed by Cooke while still in London but relates to Plymouth Dock;
Entry 23 relates to Falmouth; other entries are related to Plymouth and south Devon.

 Henry Besley

Few local printers published extensively but Henry Besley of Exeter could probably claim to have been one of the most prolific of a family of local publishers. The family-run business had a long tradition. Thomas Besley (Senior) was born in 1760 and married Jane Andrew Strong of St. Sidwell on 26th September 1790. They had 6 children including Thomas who married in 1814 and who also became a printer in Exeter; Robert, born 14th October 1794 (died 1876), a typefounder in the firm of Thorowgood and Besley and who became Lord Mayor of London 1869-70; and Henry (baptised 15th June 1800 at Holy Trinity) who eventually became partner and successor to the family business. Thomas had various business addresses as printer, bookseller and stationer or bookbinder (1823). He is listed in various directories of the time as being registered at Southgate Street (1801 and 1811), Holy Trinity (1803), Bell Hill (1816 and 1832) and at 76, Bell Hill, South Street (1822 and 1834). Thomas died on 27th October 1834 aged 74.

However, it was Thomas senior's younger son, Henry, who took over the business of his father. He had become a partner and succeeded to the firm in 1834. The company had already been trading as T Besley & Son according to directories of 1825 and 1828 and they were listed as T & H Besley in 1828 and 1834 Fig. 9). Henry Besley was born in 1800 and baptised on 15th June at Holy Trinity, Exeter. He married Caroline Lifton of Exmouth on 2nd April 1834 at Littleham. They had a son Henry John, baptised 8th March 1835. He married Redelpha (born Cambridge 1820/21) and one of their children was called Robert Henry, still alive in 1886. Henry was taken into partnership by father Thomas c.1825 and the business was transferred to him on 9th May 1834. He died on 18th July 1886 in Exeter and was buried three days later at St. Mary Major.

Note: Many of Besley´s publications are not dated: however, if an advertising section is included there is often a number in brackets, e.g. (71), bottom right of first page indicating a date, i.e. 1871 in this example. For more information on Besley see Centres of Production - Exeter. 

Besides the county maps issued with the various Route Books of Devon from 1845 to 1877 there were many area maps including two of Dartmoor. Nine maps and plans are listed here. 

Click to access directly.

Besley 1 - Plan of Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport by Brown and Keeble - see below

Besley 2 - Exeter by Warren and engraved by F P Becker

Besley 3 - Exeter specially prepared for the Royal Agricultural Society´s Meeting in 1850

Besley 4 - Plan of Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport by Becker c.1852

Besley 5 - Plan of Torquay by Becker & Son

Besley 6 - South East Devon by Trott for the Route Books 1871 and 1877

Besley 7 - Coast of North Devon by King for the Route Books 1871 and 1877

Besley 8 - Dartmoor 1 c.1875

Besley 9 - Dartmoor 2 c.1879

Besley 1 

Size: 155 x 275 mm.                                                             Scale of Half a Mile (4 = 40 mm). 

PLAN OF PLYMOUTH, STONEHOUSE and DEVONPORT (Ed). Signatures: R Brown, Architect, Delin within title panel (in form of Maltese Cross) and W Keeble, sculp. London just below. Only railway is the Dartmoor Rail Road through Cat Down. Barracks at Mill Bay. Attractive compass in form of an anchor. Panel (Ed) with text Plymouth Royal Victoria Spa, Mineral and Medical Spring.                                             

1. 1841  The Stranger's Handbook to the Western Metropolis               Devonport. W Wood. 1841.                         KB

 2. 1845   Imprint added: Printed & Published by Henry Besley, Directory Office, South Street, Exeter. (CeOS). Map has been updated: Moons Cove redrawn; barracks at Mill Bay removed and now reservoir; Mutley Lane and other roads upgraded from paths and now without the tree-lining; panel (Ed) has disappeared and new roads drawn; inclusion of railways to Mill Bay and Morice Town.

 

The Route Book Of Devon ....

Exeter. H Besley. (1845[1]).       BL, KB, DevA.

 

The Route Book Of Devon ... Second Edition 

Exeter. H Besley. (1846[2]).       [BL], DevA, KB.

 

The Route Book Of Devon ... New Edition

Exeter. H Besley. (1850[3]).               DevA.

 

Hand Book of Plymouth, Devonport, Stonehouse, &c. Extracted from the Route Book of Devon   

Exeter. H Besley. (1851[4]).               KB.

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[1] Advertised in Besley’s West of England, Or, Improved Almanack of 1845 as Shortly will be published. BL copy is BL (796.d.30); BL second edition is BL (796.d.51).

[2] Includes many dates in 1840s but last date in text refers to Wesleyan Chapel in Teignmouth, erected 1845-46.

[3] Last date in text is reference to basin at Devonport to be opened in 1851 (p.313). Author’s copy has advert for a New Edition of the Hand Book of Exeter especially in time for the Royal Agricultural Society’s visit to Exeter in July, 1850.

[4] Has been bound together with four other contemporary guides, hence has no cover. This was one of the earliest parts extracted from the Route Book, repaginated and bound in paper covers. Very few of these cheaper and smaller guides included a map. Reference to basin at Devonport to be opened in 1851 (p.37).