| Exeter Unveiled: Historic images of city | |
|  | | Houses on Exe Bridge in the 19th century |
| | Exeter Unveiled is a collection of almost 300 largely unpublished historical images of Exeter. The pictures give us a great insight into how Exeter looked at various points in the past 350 years. |
| | | Exeter Unveiled
By Todd Gray
Publishers: The Mint Press, Exeter
Hardback: £25; Paperback: £17
To order: Contact 01392 459760
Historic Exeter is captured in all its glory, in a book published in 2003.
It's been a real labour for love for local historian Todd Gray, who has tracked down paintings and sketches of Exeter dating back to the 1660s.
"Exeter Unveiled" is packed with 270 images, all with an explanation of what they show and their date of origin.
It was a major undertaking by the author, and the result is stunning.
 | | Willem Schellinks drew this in 1662 from a spot which is now the Pennsylvania area of Exeter. |
Most of the pictures have never been published before - which is amazing, because these are images which show how Exeter has developed from a rural place to the bustling city it is today.
The book starts with drawings by Willem Schellinks.
His story is worth telling, because although he was Dutch and only spent two weeks in Exeter in 1662, it is his perspective sketches which really capture the imagination more than anything else.
They show Exeter as a lush, green bit of the countryside, with three landmark buildings dominating the lanscape: the Church of St Sidwell, the Cathdral, and Rougemont Castle.
The drawings are such an eye-opener - a bit of local history captured for all time by a man who made only a fleeting visit.
 | | A ceremonial event pre-1825, with Broadgate as the backdrop |
The book also contains some lovely watercolours, showing leafy streets in the 19th century.
It gives the image of an affluent place, with grand buildings and beautiful gardens.
There is a nice look at the pomp and ceremony surrounding local dignitaries, who clearly loved Lording it up at major events.
The painting above of the procession to Exeter Cathedral - drawn, it's thought some time before 1825 - is a great example.
Later paintings of Exe Bridge in the 1880s (such as the one at the top of this page) give a glimpse of what the city was like during a time of change.
 | | A game at Exeter City in the 1940s |
Then, coming much more up to date, there are some lovely drawings by Exeter journalist Harold Murray.
His paintings during the 1940s have vibrancy and humour - and have been likened to the style of LS Lowry.
He painted all the many, many faces of the city - the football ground, cricket ground, cathedral, river, buildings and gardens.
The book features a number of artists who were previously unknown, and the entire collection offers a fresh view of Exeter's past.
The book is out in hardback and softback formats, and is a must for anyone with an interest in local history and art.
Exeter Unveiled
By Todd Gray
Publishers: The Mint Press, Exeter
Hardback: £25; Paperback: £17
To order: Contact 01752 603724
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