Henry Besley´s Route Book of Devon

The first Route Book was published in 1845 (see Advertisement page below) but was quickly followed by a Second Edition and subsequently by New Edition(s).

The First Edition is usually in standard covers, but my copy has printed publisher´s boards:

Three pages from this issue:

Advertisement - announcing delay in publication

The 1846 edition had two advert pages for G Biggs, who had recently taken over from Leigh & Co., an influential London mapseller and publisher. Early editions tended to have a brown cover (or was possibly red) with the view of Exeter Castle.

In 1850 adverts for other works by Besley started to appear, including the larger views:

In 1853 and 1854 G Townsend was busy executing the first of the famous "small" Besley vignettes. The 1854-56 editions were probably the best illustrated of all the series.  

I have 3 copies of The Route Book of Devon - A NEW EDITION - and all dating to approx. 1854-56, and each with different adverts but no apparent change to text itself. I have posted all these on this site.

Below are all illustrations as published in the circa 1854 edition.

(For a list of views see bottom of page.)

For the illustrations of the (1855) edition click here.

For the illustrations of the (1856) edition click here.

For the Advertising Sections of all three editions click here.

Besley´s Route Book of Devon 1854

Henry Besley. C.1854.                    

Twenty-seven (smaller) lithographic views of Devon. Brown cloth embossed covers with gilt view of Exeter Castle.

Page size is 90 x 150 mm, view is oval approx 70 x 100 mm. All views have imprint: Pubd. By H Besley and with or without, Exeter. below vignette right. Artist´s signature left; G Townsend del (w/o) Exeter. Date is often embedded in design towards the bottom edge: Unless otherwise stated views executed in 1854 have the date April 3 or April 3^rd; 1853 views are all dated April 4 (2) or 4th. Each vignette is numbered as given by SC (e.g. No. 142).

Views are (SC228) in order:

100, Exeter Cathedral, West Front; undated.

102, High Street, Exeter; undated.

103, Northernhay, Exeter 1853.

132, Bideford from the Torrington Road; 1854.

131, Bideford from the Bank; 1854.

133, The Bridge &c, Barnstaple; 1854.

134, The North Walk, Barnstaple; 1854.

135, Lantern Hill, Ilfracombe; 1854.

136*, Wildersmouth, Ilfracombe; 1854.

137, The Bridge, Lynmouth; 1854.

139, Castle Rock, Lynton; 1854.

138, Cascade, West Lyn; 1854.

110, Teignmouth Bridge; 1853.

111, Ivybridge Viaduct / South Devon Raily; undated.

106, Dawlish Lawn; 1853.

107, Luscombe, Dawlish; 1853.

108, East Teignmouth Church; 1853.

109, Teignmouth Beach; undated.

113**, The Strand, Torquay; 1853.

116, Public Gardens, Torquay; 1853.

124, Butter Walk, Dartmouth; 1853.

123, Dartmouth Castle; 1853.

126, The Hoe from the Garrison, Plymouth; 1853.

125, Union Street, Plymouth; 1853.

130, Royal Victualling Yard, Stonehouse; 1853.

128, Mount Wise, Stonehouse; 1853.

129, Mount Edgcumbe and Breakwater; 1853.

 

Notes:

* Illustration 136 has title Wildersmouth, Ilfracombe (1854) and later Capstan Hill Parade, Ilfracombe.

** Note the “Alphington Ponies” in the foreground; they were replaced by two riders on horseback in later editions.

 

Differences between 1854 and 1856 editions:

1.    1854 has 24 pages of advertisements; 1856 has 12.

2.    1854 has advert for Cooper´s Lynton (written 1851, map dated 1853)

3.    1856 has advert for Rowe´s Perambulations, pub. 1856.

4.    Hand Book Advertiser page takes on new format

5.    Mrs J H Lake becomes Robert Lake in later edition

6.    Keys advertises Blotting Paper in 1854, 1856 has him selling views

7.    A Jones takes over the running of the Lyndale Hotel from Mary Jones

8.    Torquay map added in 1856.