A fine album of early views by one of the greatest photographer of the nineteenth century. Torquay in the 1850s & 60s catered almost exclusively for the upper classes with Czar Alexander of Russia, Emperor Napoleon III and the future Edward VII renting or building their own summer houses. Bedford took this his series of photographs before the town became a resort for the middle classesand the upper levels of society began to escape to the french coast. One of the photographs showing the new Torbay Hotel still being fitted prior to opening in 1867, indicative of the early stages of mass popularity. The photographs are numbered and placed in the following 43. Torquay, from Park Hill; 46. Torquay, Hesketh Crescent; 65. Torquay, Babbicome Bay, from the Inn; 41. Torquay, Imperial Hotel from Beacon Hill; 40. Torquay, from Beacon Hill; 45. Torquay, Natural Arch at; 48. Torquay, from Abbey Crescent; 152. Torquay, the Giant Rock, No. 2; 151. Torquay, Watcombe, General View; 63. Torquay, Anstis Cove and Beach; 136. Torquay, Interior of St John’s Church, No. 2; 62. Torquay, Anstis Cove from the road; 72. Torquay, Cockington Church; 66. Torquay, Babbicome Bay, from the beach; 58. Torquay, Torre Parish Church; 135. Torquay, Brith House and Warberry Hill; 50. Torquay, Kilmorie and Coast; 139. Torquay, St Luke’s Church, from Croft Road; 52. Torquay, the coast, from Daddy Hole; 145. Torquay, Entrance to the Harbour; 149. Torquay, Bishopstowe, from the cliff; 134. Torquay, View the New Cut, No. 2; 146. Torquay, View from the Pier; 69. Torquay, Lane near Torre Abbey; 71. Torquay, Farmyard at Chelston; 73. Torquay, Cottage at Cockingon; 59. Torquay, St Luke’s Church, interior. See Gernsheim 613 for a publication with the same title, however, with only 15 prints in much smaller format.