Two Simultaneously Published Illustrated Works on Devonshire

 

Jennings vs Fisher

The History of Devonshire  
 & 
 Devonshire & Cornwall Illustrated 

Completely Revised and Updated - April 2025 

Cover to Parts Issue 1 - Fisher's Devonshire & Cornwall Illustrated (quarto)

Cover to Parts Issue 1 - Jennings' History and Topography of ... Devon (quarto)

Use the links here to go directly to desired pages:

1. Introduction.- see below

2. Steel Engraving.

3. Subscribers and Funding.

4. The Authors.

5. The Printers and Publishers.

6. The Artists and Engravers.

7. The Maps and Mapmakers.

8. Publication History.

9. Collaboration or Coincidence.

Use following links to go directly to Tables and to Views.
Appendix I. Plates in History of Devonshire (Jennings) - Somers Cocks S.103.
Appendix II. Plates in Devonshire & Cornwall Illustrated (Fisher) - Somers Cocks S.107.
Appendix III. Publication History of the octavo Parts issues of History of Devonshire.
Appendix IV. Publication History of the quarto Parts issues of History of Devonshire.
Appendix V. Publication History of of the quarto Parts issues of Devonshire and Cornwall Illustrated.
Appendix VI. Letter from Rev Moore to Rev Oliver.
Appendix VII. Dedications.
  a. Plates in History of Devonshire with dedication.
  b. Plates in Devonshire & Cornwall Illustrated with dedication.
  c. Plates in both History of Devonshire  and Devonshire & Cornwall Illustrated with           dedication.
Appendix VIII. Cornwall plates in Devonshire & Cornwall Illustrated (Fisher). 
Appendix IX. Archives with copies of History of Devonshire  and Devonshire & Cornwall Illustrated.  

List of Illustrations, with Select Bibliography and Disclaimer. 

                                  

1. Introduction

 

There is not, perhaps, a single county in the British Islands more replete with picturesque and romantic features, antiquarian remains, geological riches, and geographical and maritime relations, than Devonshire.[1] Hence, Devon has never suffered from lack of interest in its natural beauty and its architectural heritage. Somers Cocks[2] lists some 229 illustrated books and over 3500 individual prints published in works before 1870. However, on exactly the same day in 1829 two works illustrating the history and topography of the county of Devon were published. Thomas Moore’s History of Devonshire (Fig. 1) published by Robert Jennings appeared at booksellers and publisher’s distributors at precisely the same moment that Henry Fisher’s publication Devonshire and Cornwall Illustrated was made available to the public.

At the beginning of the nineteenth century two new printing technologies were available, enabling scenic views to be prepared more quickly and more efficiently and enabling longer print runs. Given this background it is not so surprising to find two vaguely similar works appearing in the same year; Somers Cocks lists no less than six illustrated works on the county for 1829. Given cheaper prints, not only were the middle and academic classes able to buy more books for their shillings but the wider range of affordable books meant that there were more potential customers as a whole. And there was a public eager to receive the latest books from London through their local distributor.

However, illustrated works, especially with nearly 100 illustrations as these two books would have, were still expensive. The other illustrated books listed for that year had only between 2 and 14 views. To produce a work with 94 engravings that would cost between 18 shillings (Fisher) or £2 10s (Jennings) when finished was an impressive undertaking but these publications, both sold in monthly Parts or Numbers at just 1s. a monthly instalment suddenly became very affordable.

Besides opting to publish in parts, and copiously illustrating their volumes with the same number of engravings, these two publishers had also chosen to use the same technology that had only just appeared – steel plate engraving (Fig. 2).

Funding would nevertheless be a problem and patronage of some sort would be welcome in addition to gaining the maximum number of possible subscribers; subscriptions would generate the bulk of the income, but by finding sponsors who might pay to have their estates included could increase income by sale of individual plates to wealthy landowners - a tradition started almost a century and a half previously.

 The following is an attempt to compare and contrast the publishing histories of these two, on the face of it very similar, publications. One publisher would be perfectly happy with his publication and his authors; while the other would increasingly frustrate and be frustrated by his author and, perhaps, publish a work which was only half finished.

The principal aim of this work is to analyse the publishing history of each work: Henry Fisher´s volume on Devonshire and Cornwall is fairly straight forward but, for the first time, detailed lists can be found of exactly what was published in each of the 36 Parts Issues which most people today find as a single bound volume.

On the other hand, Jenning´s publication of the Rev. Thomas Moore´s text on the History of Devonshire was more protracted and confused, bound volumes of this work often containing varying numbers of pages and, to some extent it is still not absolutely clear how many Parts were published: however, here too, detailed lists can be found of exactly what was published in each of the 50 known Parts Issues which most people today find as a work bound in two or three volumes.

After short introductions to the printing techniques available and popular systems for funding such large enterprises, the focus will shift onto the printers and publishers, the artists and engravers behind these two mammoth enterprises.

Thanks and Acknowledgements

 

Over the years I have managed to purchase a number of copies of the original parts issue of each of Fisher and Jennings´ publications and was surprised to find they had both appeared on the same day and both as serial publications. This monograph is an attempt to present my research regarding the two works in question.

Firstly, I have to say that much general information has been gleaned from Wikipedia, which I support (also financially) as a first port of call. I am restricted somewhat by living and working in Germany and rely a lot on my own small collection of books and the internet. However, I think you will find I have supplemented this with a lot of further information not available on the internet.

Secondly, and most importantly, Ian Maxted whose own numerous blogs encouraged me to begin adding my various Devon texts onto the net. For anyone interested in the printing trade in Devon in whatever aspect should consult his blog pages. I approached Ian with a request for information and he was kind enough to inspect the copies of Moore at the new Devon Heritage Centre and much of the information pertaining to the parts issues is a result of his input. He visited the DHC a number of times and discovered the letter from Moore to Oliver.

I would also like to mention James M'Kenzie-Hall who provided copies of his own work on Henry Fisher which has greatly expanded the scope of this particular piece of work. He was kind enough to forward both his doctoral thesis and a very informative article. He also forwarded the letter from the agent, Gibson, to Sir Thomas Acland (also held at DHC). My thanks to him.

 

Addenda to Second Edition

 

Since the publication of the first edition, two more part issues of these works have come to light. I was fortunate to acquire both an almost complete set of Henry Fisher´s 36-Part Devonshire and Cornwall Illustrated. It is now possible to complete the publication history and replace the projected version in the earlier work. Additionally, a near complete set of the quarto Parts issue of History of Devonshire has enabled me to report the contents of what were very likely the last three issues of this series, which was published in parallel to the octavo issue found in the first edition.

 

Kit Batten

Stuttgart, September 2020 and September 2024.

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[1] Devonshire and Cornwall Illustrated opening page (5) to Devonshire.

[2] See Somers Cocks Catalogue and Guide (1977) entries S.101 to S.107. Moore, i.e. Jennings is S.103 and Fisher is S.107.

---

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please read the pages in order of section above. The blog format means first chapters are usually dated as the oldest. Use direct access to find specific Chapters / Appendices.

 

 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 used for. They were ideal for printing large numbers of illustrations and both publishers grasped this opportunity.

Nevertheless, both publishers would have been aware of each other’s publications and in the close environment of a London brimming with publishers, engravers and artists as well as authors, word would have spread when it came to larger projects. Both Jennings’ History and Fisher’s Illustrated would have needed a certain amount of planning and artisans. With nearly 50 experienced contributors it is surprising that only one of the artists, W H Bartlett, and one of the engravers, Henry Wallis, produced plates for both works. Artists and engravers may well have recommended each other and Schmollinger and James Bingley were known to have shared accommodation at one point. Last but not least E W Brayley would contribute an impressive amount of text to both projects.

Previous illustrated works had not concentrated on buildings but on views and an interesting aspect is perhaps the variety of dedications in each work. The list of worthies includes many names which occur in both works, but these were the top ten names in Devon at that time and every publisher would have included them if they felt it would improve sales. These also included moderately wealthy landowners with country seats but selected more for their residences than their credentials. They would have been aware of the intending serial publication of a large illustrated work and were more than probably willing subscribers at 1s. per month. The lure of having their property illustrated in a popular work, plus the attraction of being mentioned was possibly sufficient enticement. But these were also people influential enough to advertise the works by word of mouth and, presumably, bring in a few more welcome subscriptions.

The variety of views chosen shows a large number of overlaps but the illustrations are never copied from each other and many views would have been sorely missed if left out. We have seen Fisher was keen to exploit town scenes but the opportunities for this in rural Devon and Cornwall were meagre. The majority of plates depict, when not a stately home or attractive countryside, scenes of more modern developments such as the new town halls, public libraries, bridges and canals.

Both works projected a total of 94 views (of Devon) and maps, however, as we have seen the volume of letterpress for each varied tremendously. Perhaps one had got word about the other´s plans here and copied this arbitrary number. Fisher seems to have planned and stuck to a serial enterprise of 36 issues, exactly 3 years in production with the completed work on sale in 1832, issuing a book which was attractive and readable. It would seem, on the other hand, that Moore overran and although the plates would have been completed after 47 months there was further delay and final binding of volumes could not take place until 1836.

Moore would have been about 63 when the first parts issue was delivered. This was in some ways his “Magnus opus”. He would manage to see his work finally complete, but we do not know for certain how this came about. He mentions in the letter to Oliver that the publishers had severed the partnership, one of whom had since died and the project in the hands of his incompetent son. We may never know the full details of how the book was eventually completed with final letterpress and maps. Perhaps W C Featherstone took over the project. With the added input from local people such as Brown and Colliver, this seems a possibility, given more credence with Colliver´s imprint on the index pages and the last spate of views executed by Brown for the final Parts issues.

Fisher seems to have been content to publish his work from the outset at large quarto format. The two sets of Parts are the same size as the final work when bound. Except for the conundrum concerning the cover designs we see a straight forward publishing pattern. Jennings, on the other hand, chose to try to maximise profit by selling both quarto and octavo Parts, although the views, printed one to a page, would be the same for both. The extra cost for a second set of letter press would have been considerable; however, for printers the cost of paper was the major consideration.

There was obviously a major time problem for Moore´s History and bound copies vary in content. The bound octavo editions suggest some copies were bound incomplete, others that a complete edition appeared sometime later. Only the existence of one quarto volume with altered final gatherings suggests a second printing.

Fisher, however, was able to exploit his plates and the illustrations were reprinted in a number of different publications, as seen in his Drawing Room books. Although among the first of the counties of England to be covered, Devon and Cornwall would not be the last and many other counties followed over the next years.

There was certainly no collaboration; no sharing of plates or text. The plates all vary considerably and the text, even that written in each volume by Brayley, very different in nature from the rival´s contribution. 

 

 Use the links here to go directly to desired pages:

1. Introduction.

2. Steel Engraving.

3. Subscribers and Funding.

4. The Authors.

5. The Printers and Publishers.

6. The Artists and Engravers.

7. The Maps and Mapmakers.

8. Publication History.

9. Collaboration or Coincidence.

 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-four pages of text which, apart from the extra title page(s) required for binding in two or three volumes, was the format announced to prospective subscribers. The cover of issue Number 1 makes it clear that Thomas Moore was to be responsible for the History and Topographical aspects, the physical geography, geology and natural history would be covered by E W Brayley, Jun. ALS. The title page included in this first Number only refers to Thomas Moore, reinforcing his importance in the project.

The whole work was dedicated, by permission, to the Right Honourable Earl Fortescue (Lord Lieutenant of the County). The family arms decorate both sizes of covers. Large quarto covers have from original drawings (left of arms) and credit to Deeble (right), integrated above the arms on octavo covers.

Robert Jennings business became Jennings & Chaplin from the summer of 1830 but this cooperation was terminated in 1833. The first issue of parts began in 1829 and was completed by 1833 after 47 or 50 numbers. No complete set of 50 parts is extant in any library catalogue but a nearly complete part set comprising 47 issues is held at the Devon Heritage Centre in Exeter. There was a strong suspicion that issues 48-50 were never published, but quarto Parts were issued. As it is, all the plates had been issued by late summer 1833 and this is the last date found on any dated prints and the date of issue of Number 47.

 

Fig. 28. Title Page to Cornwall Illustrated included in part No. 28.

 

The text of each Number seen seems to have been assembled as one gathering of 16 pages (8 leaves) and one gathering of eight pages (4 leaves), making the 24 pages of letterpress promised in the Address and these were issued with “two highly finished engravings”.

The back covers to the first 22 parts have a long Address outlining the format of the completed book. “The engravings will be executed in the first style of the arts...”. Under the heading MODE OF PUBLICATION, it is announced that “This work will be printed in octavo, on paper of the best quality, and will be completed in about fifty numbers”. Maps were also promised and these were presumably to be added to final issues for inclusion when the volumes were bound.

The History was advertised in newspapers and other publications. For example, Part XXXIX of Moule’s English Counties (which itself was a parts series by Jennings) contained an advertisement for the various parts of Vol. I of Moore’s work[2]: and Jennings advertised Moule´s new work on the covers the History.

The first 47 issues largely corroborate the mode of publication announced in the Address. The pagination of Vol. I. begins with page 1 and the printer’s mark “B”. This marks four leaves, or eight pages. However, one gathering is a “double” gathering, i.e., while page 1 is “B” and page 3 is “B2”, page 17 is “C” and 19 is “C2”. One gathering has 16 sides and the other 8 giving 24 pages for each two gatherings. Each parts issue appears to have contained 2 such gatherings of 24 sides. Hence, the complete text of Volume I was issued with Number 26 published in October 1831. Vol. I. is completed with gathering “3C” and there are both “2A” and “3A” printer’s markings (after each “Z”) but the letters J, V and W are never used. Vol. II. is constructed the same way and finishes with pagination “4Y”, however, on inspection the gatherings from 3A onwards, i.e., from page 545, are all of 4 leaves or eight sides. Does this signify a new printer?

Two engravings and 24 pages of text were issued as planned every month and the 94 engravings (without two maps and various title pages) were indeed finished in just 47 months (July 1833). Part 47 includes only pages 529-552 of a planned Book II on General Topography.

Davidson mentions Moore’s work in mixed tones: This work was published in parts, and it is much to be regretted that it was not carried out to the extent proposed. Of the parochial History the first sheet alone was printed. There are no Title-pages; an Index of reference only to the Biography comprised in the second Volume.[3]

 Incomplete octavo copies have been found with varying numbers of pages, which include an announcement to readers. These copies have the identical text layout of the “full” later version (see 2 below) up to and including page 528 (this completes Biography #153). Page 529 notes the inclusion of details of the Dennis Family (#154), which was replaced later by a chapter on the Champernownes. The announcement on page 531 reads:

The proprietors of this undertaking on issuing their announcement, determined that the history should be completed in fifty numbers, in order therefore to adhere to the promise given, the residue of the biographical matter connected with the County will be curtailed. We feel the less repugnance in adopting this plan, as a considerable number of the worthies of Devon have already occupied our pages, whose lives have been more or less amply detailed. The residue we shall therefore merely insert by name in chronological order, noting the places of their births, and the prominent features that hold them up to celebrity.

 It is further intended that Nos. 49 and 50 which are to be embellished by a Map of the County, from The latest survey, and a Ground Plan of the City of Exeter, shall be accompanied by a double portion of letter – press to afford every facility in the delineation of the remaining portion of the present history.[4]

This announcement is followed by a brief listing of notable figures commencing in 1550. This comprises another four pages and copies with this text end abruptly at page 536 or 552. The copy seen by Davidson had only the first page of BOOK II and its list of the Hundreds (the first sheet alone). Another copy has the same layout and continues to page 552 which would indicate a text on General Topography was planned: and this has only the hundreds of Bampton and Axminster. Pages 529-552 were included in part No. 47. It would appear that final Parts issues were intended to include this section and the complete Parts edition would, in fact, appear as 50 Issues. Hence, copies of Moore with less than 908 pages in Vol. II (octavo 1 in this list) are compilations bound for subscribers and made up from Issues 1-47.

It must be borne in mind, the enormous scope of Moore’s planned project. If his title page is an indication of part of his plans, then his introductory pages clearly suggest he wished to supplement this with more up to date, more current activities in connection with trade and commerce etc. His desire to cover the worthies of the county, to borrow Prince’s phrase, obviously took up the bulk of the work (he wrote well over 100 pages on Raleigh alone) and his other projects were treated in fewer pages or omitted. The promise of a particular and historical description of the different towns was abandoned, and rather abruptly. It is no wonder Moore wrote to Oliver complaining strongly that his work was unfinished.

Moore’s work was very possibly not rewarding financially. Many of the covers of the single issues after No. 22, i.e., about August 1830, recycled older covers (Fig. 25). There is evidence of the numerals displaying the part issue number being erased and modified by hand with manuscript numbers inserted. This also means that the date on the cover is often erroneous. Old covers were used from about May 1832 which included a list of plates already published (number 34 erroneously reads 04 in the address to the list). All copies after Issue 22 have a manuscript number added.

 

2. Quarterly octavo edition

 

As seen, the local printer and publisher, R Colliver was involved in the work almost from the start when his name appeared on the covers of both quarto (from No. 4) and octavo issues as agent. In 1832 he is advertising it as a "new work" in the Western times (6 Oct, 10 Nov). In 1833 he is promoting a three-part issue: Part XIV is now ready for delivery (Western times 9 Mar: this would contain parts 40-42, pages 361-432). Three months later he is promoting parts containing the view of Tor Abbey (Western times 8 June – this had appeared in part 43, March 1833) and that Part XV is now ready for delivery (a week later): London: Robert Jennings and William Chaplin … R. Colliver … and maybe had of all booksellers. Colliver, typical for printers, publishers and booksellers of the time is listed as both a tea dealer and bookseller from 1828 to 1848 in Holloway Buildings, Exeter.[5]

These three-part issues were probably started in January 1831 and continued monthly until part 7 in July, when it caught up with the single part publication after which it appeared quarterly until part XV. Although Devon Archives only has Issues 8, 9 and X, Parts XIV and XV were advertised in the Western Advertiser allowing us to reconstruct possible publication (Table 1 below).

 

8	2X-3C	1831	Vol. I	pages 505-574
9	B-G	1831	Vol. II	pages 1-72
X	H – N	1832	Vol. II	pages 73-144
XI		2nd quarter 1832	Vol. II	Page 216
XII		3rd quarter 1832	Vol. II	288
XIII		4th quarter 1832	Vol. II	360
XIV		1st quarter 1833	Vol. II	Pages 361-432
XV		2nd quarter 1833	Vol. II	Pages 504-552

 

 

Table 1. Reconstruction of publication of quarterly issue. 

 

3. Bound octavo edition

 

There is strong evidence of there being extra letterpress available to complete the work and that some of the original subscribers actually ended up with an abridged version. As outlined above, the complete work when bound has Volume II with 908 pages. Additionally, all copies of the History bound in this format have a map of THE CITY OF EXETER dated 1835 and engraved by W Schmollinger with a Paternoster Row address and published by R Colliver, Exeter; and a detailed county map of very high quality also engraved by W Schmollinger, and published by R Colliver, Holloway Street, Exeter but dated 1836.

After publication of Part 47 with the last of the plates, Maxted speculates that Jennings would have had to offer all the text in one Part or to issue three text gatherings of eight sides each month for 15 months to complete, including two more title pages in these Parts (for binding into 3 volumes) and the maps would not be ready until end 1835/beginning 1836. The evidence of so many copies of the History with no section on General Topography but having a total of 234 Biographies indicates that Moore continued to provide input, but that final printing not carried out until 1836.

Given the pure dimensions of Moore´s plans, it is possibly not a coincidence that the partnership of Jennings and Chaplin ceased in December 1833 after the plates had been completed and sold on to Virtue (see Fig. 34). It would appear that Colliver now stepped in to save the unfinished project. This assumption is strengthened by the evidence of a letter inserted into a British Library copy of History written by Colliver and dated 8 July 1836. This letter is preserved together with the envelope addressed to The Curator, Collection of Books at the British Museum. The letter reads:

Exeter 18 July 1836

In reply to yours of the 15 inst […] to inform you that the History of Devon is not completed. It [is] my intention to have […] the Biographies as speedily […] after I have to do with it but on discovery that the author was likely control me when he [thought] he had me at his command and carry the work to what extent he pleased I stop´t [it]. I propose being in London […] after which no time will [be] lost in getting it completing [it] as Mr Moore has wrote it or abridged. […] not then see you [ I will] on the completion of the work send you the numbers as requested.

It is clear that the project was aborted some time in 1833 despite text being available, if not already typeset, and a certain amount of frustration with Moore.

The announcement, only found in incomplete copies, could be the work of Ireland, as suggested by Moore in his letter to Oliver, and he could have compiled the list of personages. He might even have intended to include a General Topography section just large enough to fill the remaining 50-issue schedule.

Three years later Colliver is writing about unfinished Numbers and showing just as much frustration. The indications are that Colliver had taken over the letterpress of the original octavo edition and allowed Moore to add his unprinted (and unfinished) Biographies. To do this he would have issued alternative pages 529 onwards: replacing the sections added by Ireland which included the Announcement, the Dennis family biography, and first pages of the General Topography. Instead, a Biography, #154, of the Champernownes was inserted. The Biographies were then continued until that of Rev. William Davy #234. The fact that his suicide in June 1836 is recorded indicates that Moore may have been permitted to complete this section, but other planned chapters were scrapped.

4. Monthly quarto edition

The Superior Edition in Quarto (India Proofs) was being sold concurrently with the octavo issues. Only one almost complete set of the covers complete with text is extant (lacking a large number of plates), two part sets have been seen and the British Library has an incomplete bound copy with some covers kept at the rear. Despite lacking many plates, the partial set, lacking only 3 issues from 50, reflects exactly the publication of the prints seen in the octavo edition.

The text to Volume I was finished in 400 pages with Issue or Part 25. Parts 48-50, missing from the best octavo set, are present in this quarto set. These show haste in publication: Part 48 has a total of 24 pages of letterpress in addition to two prints; and 49 and 50 have been bound together as one issue and comprises the map of Exeter and 46 pages of text to page 440 (Biography # 179). A bound copy, at Wisconsin, ends abruptly in #165 at page 394 (i.e. lacks the final Part). The BL copy (bound but with some covers) ends in the middle of entry #110 on page 282 (Part 42). The entirely reset text implies considerable extra expense.

Each cover of the quarto serial work is 230 x 290 mm (w x h); matching that of Fisher. Once again old covers were recycled from about May 1832 (No. 22, see Fig. 27). For example, Part 39 (m/s No. 39) in the author´s set is a buff cover dated 1832, while the BL Part 39 (printed 3 with m/s 9) is blue and dated 1829 (i.e. a recycled cover from No. 3).

Although the text was reset, the engravings are the same as those for the octavo, but now they are printed on fine tissue paper and mounted onto a full-sized sheet complete with an impression mark as frame to the print. Obviously, these would be perfect for mounting in a frame and displaying.

5. Bound quarto edition 1

 

The quarto issue of India Proofs was also published concurrently with the octavo issue. Volume I is complete in 400 pages. However, the majority of quarto examples seen are bound and Volume II is now complete with 629 pages plus an Errata (p. 630) and the Index of biographies (pp. 631-2).

Devon Archives (two copies) and that at the New York Public Library are bound and complete to page 626 with the death of Rev. Davy with Errata and index, under the printer´s signature of W C Featherstone of Exeter. Given the fact that Davy died 1836 this suggests Colliver´s involvement during the latter years. The letter from Colliver to the Curator of the British Museum gives the impression that a similar delay had occurred as had happened with the octavo edition and that letterpress was added long after the serial issue had ceased.

 

6. Bound quarto edition 2

 

The author has a copy of Volume I on large paper with usual title page and 43 plates. However, the text setting varies from the Parts copy and the text of Volume I is now completed in only 391 pages. Text pages are identical as far as page 372 (Mining and Minerals) and although 373 begins in similar vein, the table of ochre production has been deleted requiring subsequent text (largely unaltered) to be reset to the end of that section.

From gathering 3D (p.373) a number of revisions have been made, a BL copy and author´s Part 50 both end with page 400, this concerns Commerce beginning “On the northern coast of the county, Hartland exports corn, &c., and imports limestone and coals. At Bideford the foreign and coasting trade in the year 1829 was as follows :-.“ The author´s quarto copy has the final paragraph on page 391, and reads “On the northern coast of the county, Hartland exports corn, &c., and imports limestone and coals. At Bideford vessels are employed in the foreign and coasting trade, in conveying linen, cotton and woollen goods“.

Most noticeably, this copy has some later dates in the letterpress: in the Trades and Manufactures chapter, the section concerning Plymouth has been greatly enlarged and updated and there is reference to taxes set by Sir Robert Peel in 1845 and acts of Parliament involving Sutton Pool of 1847 and 1848.

History of Devonshire, overview.

 

Possible editions in octavo format:

 

Octavo 1: published in Monthly parts between 1829 and 1833. Vol. I contains 574 pages and Vol. II has between 536 and 552 pages (i.e. only 154 Biographies). Bound copies lack pages after p.552.

Octavo 2: in Quarterly parts published between 1831 and 1833. Only one partial set of the octavo Parts issue is known.[6] Bound volumes have only 179 (incomplete) Biographies.

Octavo 3: bound volumes with 234 Biographies published circa 1836 (but retaining 1829 title page). Vol. I as above. Vol. II now contains 908 pages, index and printer´s signature of Featherstone, Exeter, and usually with inclusion of map of Devonshire and plan of Exeter.

 

Possible editions in quarto format:

 

Quarto 1: published in Monthly parts between 1829 and 1833. Three partial sets of this quarto Parts issue are extant.[7] The Parts set of numbers to 50 stops abruptly on page 440 (KB). Two volumes when bound; Vol. I has 400 pages, Vol. II has 394 pages (Minnesota). One bound copy extant which ends abruptly on Vol. II page 282 and covers inserted at rear to part 42 (BL).

Quarto 2: bound copies have Vol. I as above and Vol. II has 629 pages plus Errata. Quarto 3: bound edition, published c.1848. Vol. I complete in 391 pages.

Fig. 29. Moore covers from No. 22 were numbered by hand.

Henry Fisher

 

Fisher’s work, on the other hand, seems to be straight forward in its mode of publication. Two plates and four pages of text were issued every month and with only 106 pages of letterpress for Devon (Fig. 27) and a further 44 for Cornwall (Fig. 28) could neatly be issued in the time available for the plates. While no complete set of the parts series has been found, two nearly complete sets are extant. These comprise at least one example of all 36 parts and the makeup is almost uniform throughout. It was originally published in regular monthly instalments by “H Fisher, Son & Co, 38 Newgate-Street; Jones & Co., Finsbury Square; J Gibson, 8 Lady-Well-Place, Plymouth; and all booksellers. The last refers to a retailer, John Gibson who was also Fisher’s representative in the southwest. This edition had 36 monthly parts, i.e., was just 3 years in the publication.

Fisher’s publication, given two near complete parts sets, is far easier to follow and the initial format of two pages (i.e., four) illustrations and one double page of text to form a four-page (2 leaf) gathering was adhered to almost throughout. The 36-month publication is often advertised as the 3rd Series which referred to works on Ireland (completed) and Lancashire publishing monthly. The series was also issued in nine parts of four issues circa 1834: Part 1 and Part 9 are in the author´s collection, with the former comprising title page and contents of Parts 1-4, the latter consisting of the contents of the final four Numbers 33 to 36. Each cover also promised: A few Proofs on India Paper, Price 2s. per Number. See Appendix V for a reconstruction of the publication history.

The work was already being issued bound as a complete work in 1832 by H Fisher, R Fisher and P Jackson with identical printer’s marks and pagination of the parts issue. According to Somers-Cocks it was reprinted 1835; reprinted again in 1840[8] and 1844 by Fisher, Son & Co, London & Paris, as Fisher's Views In Devonshire & Cornwall; and finally in 1849, again with latter title, by P. Jackson, London & Paris, with only 1 plate to a sheet. From the late 1830s into the 1840s selected plates also appeared in Fisher's Annual Drawing‑Room Scrap Books.[9]

However, one disbound copy in the author´s collection has title and imprint as above, but one print is dated 1845 and others changed to 1837. The text is identical to the original but incorrect pagination (pp. 57-60) shows a reprinting.

Despite this seemingly straightforward publication sequence, there is one irregularity that stands out: there are two distinctive cover changes over the three years of publication.

The “standard” cover seen in the first Parts has a very rectangular frame structure with a stylish “starburst” motif in each corner and copious text and changes of type face (Fig. 30). The running titles top are [No. #] Containing Four highly-finished engravings (No. 1 adds & Vignette) and price 1s.; and below, within border Fisher´s Views in Devonshire and Cornwall. Apart from this embellishment there are no images on the cover.

 

 

 

Fig. 30. Standard Fisher cover: Part No. 33 included the map of Cornwall.

 

A number of issues have a different cover, which suggests either that an alternative cover was being printed throughout publication, or that collectors could “fill gaps” by purchasing copies from a later issue. There are now floral designs in the four corners of this variant cover. The complete title top is now, for example, [No. 18] Devon & Cornwall. / Fisher’s Illustrations [No. 44.] and within border Devonshire, Cornwall, / and Lancashire (Fig. 31). The figure of a bust (William Caxton) splits the text here and the Royal Arms are included. Both types of cover have Fishers’ Grand National Improvements but only the alternative cover has and Illustrations of the British Empire in the Nineteenth Century. This format has been seen scattered sporadically through the two sets known. Set 1 has six consecutive issues (18 to 23) as well as Parts 27 and 28 (Fisher’s 53 and 54) with this cover. This cover is only seen in Parts 15 (41) and 23 (49) of the second set.

These covers also bear different imprints. Fisher, Son, & Jackson, 38, Newgate-street; R Ackermann, Strand; Jones & Co. Finsbury Square, London and all Book and Print sellers. 1831. is found on cover 23, but J. Gibson, 8, Lady-well Place, Plymouth is inserted in Part 15 which is dated 1832. All plates bear date of original issue (i.e. not yet changed to 1832).

 

 

Fig. 31. Alternative Fisher cover: Part No. 15.

 

The advertisements on the reverse are also different: Part 15 “standard” which appeared in November 1830 offers a number of works on the fine arts including Devon and Cornwall; while the “alternative” cover is confined to praising The Life and Times of “England´s Patriot King” William the Fourth which appeared in 1831. The cover is also dated bottom right.

The advertisements on the reverses of Part 23 are even more puzzling: both examples are “alternative” covers. While one advertises Lancashire Illustrated the other offers Ireland Illustrated. Both are full page and dated 1831. In addition, the imprints show one example each of the two mentioned above.

The final three monthly issues (Parts 34-36) have a completely new design. These covers have a much simpler rectangular frame structure with no corner embellishments and the text is simpler with no changes of type face (Fig. 32). The running titles top are [No. #] Pict. Illustrations and Devon and Cornwall. [No. #]. The Price One Shilling is in bottom border. The main title reads Fisher´s Picturesque Illustrations of Great Britain and Ireland / Third Series / … Devon and Cornwall. The actual digit, 34, 35 and 36 has been added later by stamp.

The reference to Third Series is revealed, for example, on the back cover of Part 35 where there is a page advertising The Fourth Series which is Westmoreland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland and this is set out reflecting the cover layout on the front. This set is Preparing for Immediate Publication. Sets covering Ireland Illustrated and Lancashire Illustrated were already available when Devon and Cornwall appeared, the Third Series (of views).

The same cover was used for a later reissue. These would contain 4 monthly Parts. Of these Parts 1 and 9 (four months each) are extant and except that now the word PART has replaced No. (top right) and Four Shillings replaces the previous price, there is no difference to the cover. Here the actual Part No. (1, 9) has been stamped in top right later (see also Appendix V).

 

 

Fig. 32. Fisher cover, third design: monthly Part No. 36.

Henry Fisher´s acumen as a business person is often revealed on the back covers of his serial publications. We have already seen how he used advertising regularly, keeping his readership up to date with his latest publications and exploiting the emotions of his subscribers. The promotion of his publications as a suitable New Year´s Gift has already been mentioned. Two covers of Devon and Cornwall show his close attention to progress. In month 20, Fisher reminded readers that:

 

DEVON AND CORNWALL

The Subscribers to this Work are respectfully informed,

That a Beautiful

Vignette Title for Cornwall,

Will be given in Course of Publication.

 

Dated London, Feb. 26, 1831 it pointed out to the Nobility and Gentry who were not yet subscribers that the early Numbers are now improved by additional effort.

On the final cover, there is a word of thanks for the support Fisher has enjoyed but also the complete breakdown of what the next project promises:

The Publishers, Artists, and Editors of DEVONSHIRE and CORNWALL ILLUSTRATED, with heart-felt gratitude to their thousands of friends for the liberal support they have experienced, announces the completion of the Work, the Third in their Series of “Picturesque Illustrations of Great Britain and Ireland.”

  Despite this seeming conformity throughout publication (apart from the multiple covers), there are other minor signs that Fisher had to respond to outside circumstances which are not immediately apparent. In Part 3, a replacement page 7/8 was included. This was because: Some copies having gone out with a few errors, through the hurry of publication, the Binder is to substitute this Leaf (page 7, 8) in place of that given in No. 1. It is clear that complaints had been received from some of those Nobility and Gentry. In the new list of those with Titles and Seats, The Duke of Bedford is noted as The Marquess of Tavistock (replacing Marquis), the Lord Ashburton, at Sandridge in Stoke Gabriel, is removed; the Baronet Sir Lawrence Palk loses a superfluous “e” on the end of his name, Killerton becomes Kellerton (home of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland) while a couple of other names are corrected, such as those of (corrected) Sir T T F E Drake and Sir James Hamlyn Williams.[10] In the list of ancient buildings there are a number of changes, one being the inclusion of Totnes castle.

Some copies of the bound volumes have a Devon title page dated 1829 (subscribers´copies), others 1832, bound and sold complete. There are small (pinhole) signs that unsold monthly issues were disassembled and pages (especially visible with prints) used to insert in bound copies. A number of prints were amended with deleted or altered dates (see pages 119 and Appendix II).

 Use the links here to go directly to desired pages:

1. Introduction.

2. Steel Engraving.

3. Subscribers and Funding.

4. The Authors.

5. The Printers and Publishers.

6. The Artists and Engravers.

7. The Maps and Mapmakers.

8. Publication History.

9. Collaboration or Coincidence. 

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[1] The text seems to have been assembled as one gathering of 16 pages (8 leaves) and one gathering of eight pages. Octavo is the form referred to in the Address although other formats were available.
[2] See Tony Campbell; The Original Monthly Numbers of Moule’s ‘English Counties’; The Map Collector; Issue 31; June 1985; p.31.
[3] Davidson (1852) page 10.
[4] Copy held at University of Minnesota Library and available on-line via Hathi Trust. This example has 93 engravings but no maps. Cambridge University copy continues to page 552.
[5] Grateful thanks to Ian Maxted for correspondence on Colliver and quarterly parts issue. Apart from this publication, no other work published by Colliver is on record.
[6] The Devon Heritage Centre in Exeter has 41 of the Parts up to Part 47. The author also has copies of the first six issues. Devon Archives has three quarterly parts, i.e. a collection of three numbers bound together.
[7] The author has 47 of the Parts up to Part 50. Devon Archives also has two sets up to Part 25. An incomplete bound copy at British Library includes some covers.
[8] Bristol University Library has a copy with added engraved title page Fisher's Illustrations of Devonshire and Cornwall. Fisher, Son & Co., London & Paris, 1840.
[9] See Somers Cocks entry S. 107 and p. 265.
[10] The Earl of Fortescue loses “of”.