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a bibliographical newsletter on Devon and its region Issue 1 June 2017 |
Books about Devon published in 2017
This links to a listing of books and other literature about the county and its region recorded so far for 2017.
By way of introduction
"Wouldn't it be nice to have a list of books about Devon?" - a plea often heard at gatherings of people interested in Devon and its heritage. Having recently completed a trawl for Devon and Westcountry items recorded in the British national bibliography for this year up to 18 June, I felt that the compilation linked to above would meet this need, so I have wrapped it up in this newsletter, the first (and perhaps the last) issue aimed at all who are involved with Devon and its region, not just historical researchers but also libraries, museums, local history groups, booksellers, publishers, in fact everyone interested in any aspect of Devon and Devonians, past, present and future. For several years I have been compiling an-online bibliography of Devon, concentrating particularly on the period since 2011 during which no institution has been attempting such a listing, although much material has been appearing on a daily basis, both in printed and digital form.
Why is this needed when so much is available at the press of the proverbial button? The problem is navigating one's way through the digital gravy to find the chunks of meat. I have just typed "Devon into Google and it produced "About 152,000,000 results (1.31 seconds)". Many of the top items are advertisements, others are incidental mentions of a very trivial nature, many on social media, others relate to Devon Island, or anyone with the forename Devon, including at least one pornographic actress. Titles are also difficult to locate when one limits searches to Amazon or Abebooks, unless undertaking a very specific search. The British national bibliography omits many local publications: guide books, most local authority publications, national government publications, much report literature and the COPAC, the on-line union catalogue of academic libraries has much duplication. Recent items can also be difficult to isolate from earlier ones.
Some of you may have come across a predecessor to this list. In 1983 the Westcountry Studies Library started a duplicated typescript publication entitled LOcal STudies LIBraries In Devon Oracle (so called because it could be conveniently abbreviated to Lost Libido). This listed Westcountry publications ascertained from scanning the weekly issues of the British national bibliography and The bookseller as well as information from newspapers, library suppliers and other sources. It was circulated fortnightly to libraries across Devon to assist in book selection. By 1985 it had received the rather pompous 18th century style title Annales occidentales: or, Westcountry Studies, a bibliographical newsletter. About this time the Westcountry Studies Library took over from the Devon History Society the compilation and publication of the annual Devon bibliography, published since 1981, which was a cumulation of the Devon and general Westcountry entries in these fortnightly listings. Annales occidentales continued until 2008, although it became monthly in 1999 and from 2003 only appeared on the web. From 2008 it was continued by the Westcountry Studies Library newsletter which was discontinued in 2011. The annual Devon bibliography ceased in 2005. The last printed version covered the year 2000 and it was felt that continued publication in print form was no longer required as the catalogue of the Westcountry Studies Library was in effect an on-line cumulative bibliography.
And the next issue?
When? Who knows. It will certainly not be fortnightly, perhaps quarterly. Rather than simply point to the listing for 2017, I hope to feature items that have come to my attention since launching this issue. One such item for 2016 is noted below. Please let me know of any items that you become aware of and which I may have missed (my email address: ianmaxted@htomail.co.uk). One interesting item I have just learned of is As I walked out: Sabine Baring-Gould and the search for the folk-songs of Devon and Cornwall by Martin Graebe, due for publication by Signal Books in October (ISBN 978190993537 : £16.99). The manuscript versions of the folk-songs he collected are in the Devon Heritage Centre and the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office. In the meantime here is news of book-linked events happening in Exeter. If anyone can add to these please email me details.
Pathways to the Past
Devon Archives and Local Studies Service teamed up with Somerset Archives and Local Studies Service to mount an exhibition entitled Pathways to the Past, inviting us to "discover four centuries of Devon and Somerset maps". This was held at Exeter Guildhall on 22 June and was repeated at Wells Town Hall on 28 June. The Exeter Guildhall received a large number of visitors keen to explore a range of maps from historic estate maps, garden plans, mining maps, early landscapes, now much changed and even the route to a murder. The maps were well labelled and staff from the South West Heritage Trust were on hand to answer the many enquiries. The reason for mentioning this exhibition here is that it included a number of printed and published maps, including one of Rocque's 18th century surveys of the city of Exeter as well as a digital map displayed on a touch screen. I had interesting discussions on the archiving of digital maps. Many libraries have no Ordnance Survey large-scale mapping available since the hard copy editions were discontinued in the 1990s.
Body and soul
On 22 July there will be an event with the title Body and Soul, celebrating Exeter’s historic medical collections, including early books and manuscripts. There will be demonstrations, talks and displays of local medical collections from Exeter’s past. The organizers write: Exeter has a long history of promoting people’s wellbeing. Monks cared for the souls and the bodies of medieval society and through their distinctive practice of religion, they became pioneers of medical care and social welfare. In Tudor times, women had a special role in preparing home-made recipes to help guard their households against illness and vermin. Increasingly ideas and practices were written down and captured for future generations, preserved today in Exeter’s significant archive collections alongside the practical instruments developed to help improve health and save lives.
Timed events:
- Tudor herbal medicine demonstrations at 10.30 – 11.30am, 11.45 – 12.30pm and 1.30 – 2.15pm, in the kitchen at St Nicholas Priory. Step into the year 1602 and meet Mistresses Elinor and Christina demonstrating the preparation of infusions, tisanes, poultices and healing salves to keep the household healthy
- Prof. James Clark, University of Exeter – lecture: ‘Monastic Prayer, Care and Medicine’ 11.30 and 2pm, upstairs at 21 The Mint. How medieval monks cared for the bodies and souls of parishioners.
- Devon & Exeter Medical Society Collection – medical implements, 10.30 – 11.30 am, 12.30 – 2pm and 3 – 3.30pm, upstairs at 21 The Mint
Drop in 10.30 – 3.30 to see:
- Devon Heritage Centre, Exeter Cathedral Archives and the Devon & Exeter Institution showcase medical books and manuscripts, in the parlour at St Nicholas Priory. Meet our local archive experts with facsimiles of Exeter’s medical manuscript collections.
- Tuckers Hall – family activity: making herb sachets (accompanied children only please), at Tuckers Hall, Fore Street
- Exeter Historic Buildings Trust: guided tours of 21 The Mint and its cloister garden, 11 to 4pm, (on both 22nd and 23rd July)
The printing revolution : Exeter Library's earliest printed book
This event is one of Exeter Library's Stack Showcase series accompanying its adopt a book scheme. Taking place on Thursday 20 July at 18:30, it places Exeter Library's only incunable (book printed before 1501) in its historical context. Printed in Basel in 1480 it has surprising links with Exeter and Devon. The invention and history of early printing will be traced and parallels drawn with the digital revolution half a millennium later. Enjoy the chance to have a closer look at rare books from the special collections within Exeter Library's Stack. A free event, tickets are available from Exeter Library.
Devon deciphered : interpreting manuscript sources c1300-1750
While this newsletter concerns itself mainly with published items, this forthcoming book on the palaeography of Devon manuscripts certainly deserves a mention. Written by John Booker and published by the friends of Devon's archives, it takes a selection of documents, frequently difficult to read, and provides a transcription on the facing page. There are extensive notes and an excellent introduction with enlarged facsimiles of the different forms of each letter and details of the many contractions and abbreviations to be found. It is due for publication in the autumn (ISBN 9780995799400). It will be invaluable for those who deal with manuscript records - and indeed manuscript annotations in early printed books.
The Tuckenhay Mill : people and paper
Through the Kent Kingdon Bequest, a charity for Exeter's heritage which has given grants for acquisitions for the Royal Albert Museum and the public library in Exeter for more than a century, it has been possible for the Westcountry Studies Library in the Devon Heritage Centre to acquire a copy of a work by Peter Thomas, The Tuckenhay Mill : people and paper, produced in Santa Cruz by Peter and Donna Thomas in 2016. This is a private press book issued in a limited edition of only 30 copies with a printed account of the mill, eighteen paper samples, sound and video recordings of mill workers. This work brings to life the vanished craft of paper making by hand in Tuckenhay Mill, Ashprington, on the River Dart. Peter and Donna Thomas have been producing private press books in California for more than thirty years and the present work is the culmination of a long-term project which includes interviews with people who had worked at the mill. The mill featured in the novel by Eden Phillpotts A storm in a tea-cup and the author, who researched the background of his novels carefully, includes detailed descriptions of the various stages of paper making - unfortunately this is not mentioned in any detail by the compilers of this publication. The book was launched in Devon at the mill during April and it is good that Devon has been able to acquire a copy. As it is printed in the United States, it does not feature in the British national bibliography and this will be one of the only copies in a public collection on this side of the Atlantic.
Devon book of the year 2016
The shortlist of nineteen titles was mulled over by a team of experts from the Devon History Society on 15 June. The meeting was held in the Devon and Exeter Institution as they had been able to acquired all the items on the short-list so thatthey could be compared side by side. It was difficult to compare and evaluate books which were so different in scope and approach to their subjects but a decision was reached, both for the Devon Book of the Year and the H. G. Hoskins award, which is reserved for amateur historians. But you will have to wait for the annual meeting of the Devon History Society to learn who the winners are.
This page last updated 29 June 2017
