This however is not correct as I have a number of examples in my collection of much earlier guides.

The guide illiustrated above is the 11th Edition and was the Irish Series 1891. The publisher was shown as WARD, LOCK, BOWDEN, and CO.: LONDON, NEW YORK, AND MELBOURNE

The series date would be correct because Edward Liveing indicates that the Company was known as WARD LOCK and BOWDEN Company from 1891 until 1893.

If the guides were updated every year the Edition number would indicate that this volume was first issued in 1880. I have a couple of examples in my collection of guides issued in about 1880. However the listing of guides in print contained within the volumes would suggest that the first guides were issued some time before 1880.

It may be possible to identify when Guides were first issued by comparing the list of volumes "in print or preparation" in Guide books, for instance in the two guides that I have for 1880 there is a slight difference in the listings and this would indicate that the lists were ammended as new guides were produced.