31.     Henry Besley / J Warren                                                               1845 


The first map associated with the Besley name is a map of Exeter which appeared in the Exeter Itinerary And General Directory in June 1828 (see 20) first published by Thomas and Henry Besley. Henry Besley commissioned a number of maps for his series of Guide Books; both county maps on one or more sheets (see B&B 122, 128 and 134) and a Route Map besides maps of regions, two maps of Dartmoor and his town plans. Henry´s popular guide, The Route Book of Devon, was first published c.1845 with a Second Edition appearing approximately a year later. A map of Exeter signed by J Warren as surveyor, was included from the beginning (illustrated above). There were further issues until 1877 (illustrated below) as well as handbooks of towns and areas with text extracted from the Route Books. The map was also used in Besley’s Directory of Exeter from 1881 with continual updating and the map was used into the twentieth century (see Appendix C). The map was printed by a well-known company of F P Becker who lithographed a number of maps for Besley as well as some county maps for other publishers. 

Title: EXETER corrected to the Present Time BY J. Warren, Surveyor

Size: 230 x 280 mm and SCALE of 30 (chains) = 40 mm.

Imprints:  Engraved by the Omnigraph by F. P. Becker & Co. Patentees, 12, Paternoster Row and Published by Henry Besley, Directory Office South St., Exeter. 

Apart from the reduced size this plan owes much to Wood's survey (see 29) and almost repeats the 1840 map. The reference now focuses on public buildings and useful addresses and no longer includes the churches. This is the first map to show the railway as completed. The Bristol and Devon Railway Station opened in 1844 and is shown with two roads To the Luggage Train and From the Train at the Red Cow Inn. Mount Radford and Clifton Road (Workhouse) are largely developed. Other noticeable features are the Gas Works opened in May 1839 at Haven Banks by the Basin.



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