Sotonopedia

The following description is taken from George Measom's The official illustrated guide to the London and South-Western Railway, [1864], pages 415-17

Mr W T F Ellis, Bookseller, Publisher, and Map Seller, Mercantile, Family Stationer and Account-Book Manufacturer, Printer, Engraver, and Lithographer. 139 and 140 High Street, Southampton

Every visitor to Southampton will find his way to our enterprising agent, whose premises form a feature of the High Street, if only to procure a few of the beautiful photographic views of Southampton and its neighbourhood, comprising: the Bar Gate (North side), High Street with All Saints’ Church; High Street with the Hartley Institution; Above Bar Street; St Mary’s Church; St Peter’s Church; the Cemetery Gate; the Avenue; the Scotch Church; the Platform and Battery; the Pier and Quay; Andrews’ statue; Dr Watt’s statue; Above Bar Chapel; Old Arcade; South Gate; West Gate; Western Wall; Prince Edward’s Tower; Cumberland Place and West Park; Floating Bridge; Netley Abbey; West Window; Ditto (small); East Window; South View; the Cloisters; the Abbot’s House; Royal Military Hospital; Centre View.

Mr Ellis has also published a large set of Lithographic Views at one shilling each, or the set of six, in handsome wrapper, five shillings.

Here also may be procured (the selection being from an unusually large stock) travelling bags, desks, despatch boxes, and tourists’ cases filled with every possible convenience; wallets, gentlemen’s courier bags, adapted for travellers to India, China, and the West Indies, they being peculiarly fitted; leather cash pouches, with piston bolt.

The Bookselling Department is good, the sorts of beautifully printed Bibles and Prayer Books and Church services have gained for Mr Ellis a reputation; although the stock of books is far from being confined to these productions, he having upon his premises one of the most important and largest collections of standard poets, novels, biographical works, travels, school books, almanacks, &c that we have ever seen away from London. All the most popular publications of the day; new editions of the best authors as they appear; all the various editions of the poets, from the shilling vol. to the guinea edition. The standard publications for the library and presentation; boys’ books of games and for general reading; Griffith and Farran’s books for young people; all the magnificent editions of the poets, exquisitely bound for presentation either in cloth with gilt sides, or morocco, antique and elegant; Winslow’s, Bickersteth’s, Bridges’, Cumming’s, Taylor’s, Trench’s, M’Duff’s, and many other works of a religious character. The various editions of Macaulay’s, Sidney Smith’s, Disraeli’s, Carlyle’s, Sala’s, Thackeray’s, Dickens’, Kingsley’s, Lever’s, Smedley’s, Hugh Miller’s, and Charlotte Bronte’s. He is also appointed agent for the popular Official Railway Guide Books, by George Measom.

The Printing Offices are the printing offices of the town, being large, filled with the best machines, and the newest types, - Mr Ellis, too, being wise enough to employ only skilled workmen. Thus his productions do not bear the stamp of a country printing office. Posting and hand bills, law forms, particulars and conditions of sales, circulars, trade cards, window bills, draper’s bills, bill-heads, pamphlets, and every possible style of the art of printing is executed on the premises by first-class workmen, under the immediate supervision of the principal.

The stationery, account and pocket-book department is worthy attention, especially the wedding stationery, which Mr Ellis appears to have made a speciality. He also executes die-sinking and seal engraving; and, after ten or twelve years’ hard work, has succeeded in securing the confidence of the public and the goodwill of his compeers.

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