Views of the Isle of Man
taken from
Quiggin's Guides &c

The Quiggins were responsible for a considerable amount of good printing work from the foundation of the company c.1830. The first edition of the guide appeared in 1836 authored 'by a resident'. All the prints carry the imprint 'W.J.Bowden delt' and 'W.H.Lizars sculpt'. Besides these prints the guide contained a number of smaller woodblocks.

In later editions of the Guides, and elsewhere, are offered for sale a selection of views. Copies of such selections in their original covers are rare - my copy is sewn into red soft covers with each view separated by tissue paper - the cover offers "Thirteen Views in the Isle of Man" printed on Plate Paper from Steel Plates. It carries the Imprint of M.A. Quiggin 52 North Quay and thus Dates from post 1844 (death of John Quiggin) - M.A. Quiggin being a good Methodist was obviously not superstitious re offering a baker's dozen. In this set, as in later guides, the majority of the originally rectangular plates have been extended into the more fashionable oval form (the extensions are generally readily visible)

1836 Guide

Except for 'Douglas' (130x95mm) which formed the frontispiece all prints are about 95 x 55 mm.

	Douglas Birdseye view from top of Douglas Head
	Douglas Bay Presumably a romantic sunrise view.
	Castle Mona Hotel Castle Mona was built as the residence of the Duke of Atholl in 1804 to the design of George Steuart. It was converted to an hotel in 1833 and still operates as such.
	King William's College One of the earliest views of King William's College opened 1833, before the fire of 1844.
	Castletown Castletown seen from Hango Hill. Hango was the place of execution including in 1663 following the restoration of the Stanleys, that by firing squad of Illiam Dhone for his part in the surrender of Castle Rushen to the besieging Parliamentary Forces. Rather than leave a place of pilgrimage Charles, 8^th Lord Derby built a summer house on the spot of which a ruined wall still remains.
	Peel Corrin's tower can be seen be seen on the hill above the castle.
	Peel Castle
	Ramsey Bay & Town
	Glen Meay Waterfall Glen Maye is three miles south of Peel

Selection of Views

All of the above with the exception of the view of Douglas from the Head (presemably by then already out of date), together with the following are found in the selection of views (c.1847)

	Douglas A classic view of Douglas Bay taken from the Head though showing a fair amount of artistic licence.
	Refuge Tower The Tower of Refuge was built in 1836 to a design of John Welch.
	Kirk Braddan Probably one of the least successful of the many such views; the Murray Oblisk is somewhat distorted - interestingly the runic cross that was in the yard is not shown.
	Castle Rushen Another classic view of Castle Rushen. taken from the road bridge over the harbour.
	Bishopscourt Bishopscourt, for long the residence of the Bishops of Sodor and Man, was another classic subject for such viewbooks.




Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The Editor © F.Coakley , 2001

Views of the Isle of Man taken from Quiggin's Guides &c

1836 Guide

Selection of Views

Views of the Isle of Man
taken from
Quiggin's Guides &c