Home Page           Hardbacks           Paperbacks           Books Wanted           Promotions and Events           Online Specials           JSBlog           Links           About           Location

HISTORY Our premises at 27 Fore Street have a long history, though not always as a bookshop. Above the side door to the adjacent Trees Court are engraved the date 1693 and the initials W.E. Research into Topsham records suggests that this could stand for either William Edwards (who married Mary Hoppyn in 1678) or William Ewens (whose wife was Joan). In 1857, the building was owned (as was Rollestones in the Strand) by Sarah Goodrich, widow, James Bridger Goodrich, painter, her son, Henry Halfyard, master of the National School and also a tailor, and Henry Gilbert (Halfyard), musician. As a pane of glass in the building is engraved with James Goodrich's name, it is likely he lived here. Born in Topsham in 1825, he was an accomplished professional artist who exhibited at the Royal Academy in the 1850's. In the 1924 the ground floor room of No. 27 became Topsham's telephone exchange, with a specially strengthened floor to carry the equipment. The enormous telephone pole at the rear of the building still continues to serve some of BT's customers by direct overhead line. The group of buildings is of particular interest as an early example of terraced housing. Nos. 27 and 28 are built around a massive shared chimney of 'Dutch' bricks or clinkers. The staircases of the two houses are similar, typical examples of 17th century dog-leg type with turned balusters. No. 28 was the grander of the two, probably built for the owner with speculative property or accommodation for lesser family members next door. A doorcase has been found for No. 28, dated 1696, so No. 27 was completed first. The attic fireplace has a very small grate to burn sea coal. BACK TO TOP

27 Fore Street, Topsham, Exeter, Devon, EX3 0HD 01392 877895 lily@segalbooks.com Secondhand & out-of-print bookshop Hardback / Paperback Modern / Antiquarian GOOD QUALITY BOOKS WIDE SUBJECT RANGE Opening times 10.30 am - 5.00 pm (Lunch 1 pm - 2 pm) Monday-Saturday WE BUY BOOKS AND EPHEMERA