Edith Vernon's Life-Work.

A truly exceptional example of a scarce 1880s girls' fiction in a fine illustrated binding. Salmon coloured boards blocked in gilt and green to spine and upper board where a carriage is depicted with Edith on board. All edges gilt. Clean, tight and square binding. No inscription on end-paper though with attractive Award label to Lily Cooper for painting first prize, Xmas 1887. Engraved frontispiece with illustrated title-page; second title-page states 'Twelfth Edition', 364pp. This edition published 1881-1887 (as 'Lost Pieces of Silver', mentioned on t.p. was [1881]. The author with the pseudonym 'F.M.S.' was a prolific writer of children's books for SPCK and other reputable publishers, the earliest we have traced being 1862/63 in 16mo in Edinburgh and may give a hint of where the author was from. This story is scarce and features Edith and Lady Barrington, Laura Sylvester and Colonel Dacre amongst others and seems to be a classic tale of father worship (presumed dead as a missionary) who returns to England after all. The illustrated t.p. shows the inevitable happy ending with Edith accompanying her father back to Africa, along with her newly married husband. 25% reduction applied. SEE the Commonplace Book a real-life Edith Vernon also for sale. …