Henry Besley´s Route Book of Devon

circa 1855

Below are all illustrations as published in the circa 1855 edition.

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

For the illustrations of the earlier (1854) edition click here.

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

For the Advertising Sections of all three editions click here.

Besley´s Route Book of Devon 1855

Henry Besley. C.1855.                    

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. Asterisk implies date added subsequently.

Each vignette is numbered as given by SC (e.g. No. 142).

Views are (SC228) in order:

100, Exeter Cathedral, West Front; now dated April 4^th 1853.*

102, High Street, Exeter; March 4^th 1853.*

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; 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.

 

NOTE:

* Title changed later to Capstan Hill Parade (c.1856).

** Two riders replace the “Alphington Ponies” originally present (1854).

 

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.