Jennings vs Fisher: Two Illustrated Books on Devon 1829

  9. Collaboration or Coincidence Fig. 33 . Combined title Page to  Devonshire &   Cornwall Illustrated (1840) new imprint and undated  Despite many similarities, the text itself, the publishing history and the choices of views would all point to a fair amount of coincidence in the publication of these two works on precisely the same day. Ostensibly, we have two publishers experiencing a change in direction in their publishing behaviour at about the same time, both opting for a new technology which needed no small amount of investment and a large degree of confidence. Robert Jennings had produced ephemeral works of a one-off nature before he began to direct his attentions to illustrated guide books. Henry Fisher’s general stock in trade had been religious works when based in Liverpool. With their faith in steel engravings came a desire to make the most of the new technique and the cost-saving opportunities this offered. Letter-press was not what steel plates were...

  8. Publication History Robert Jennings and Thomas Moore The History of Devonshire was initially issued in Parts, both in octavo [1] (c.150 x 225 mm, text 90 x 160 mm) with a paper cover at just 1s and as quarto (c.220 x 290 mm, text 130 x 200 mm) with a paper cover and cost 2s (as India Proofs ). Octavo is the form referred to in the Address found on back covers of issues to No. 22. Which announces: “A superior edition … in Quarto, with proof impressions of the engravings on India paper ... 2s. each number.” The smaller octavo, however, is the most frequently found and Volume I is complete in 574 pages (and a one-page note concerning a later index etc.). Volume II can be found finishing with pp.529-536 or pp.529-552 and only 154 biographies; or, more frequently, with 908 pages (234 Biographies) and a three-page Index to biographies only.   1. Monthly Octavo edition   The first octavo part issue of Moore’s History contained the title page, two engravings and twenty-f...