Eales Lucy (1 results)

First edition, scarce. Eales's romance advocates for improved education for women, to enable them to "grapple with and grasp truth in whatsoever form it may present itself" (p. 3). She promotes her message by means of the main character, Maggie Oswald, a "learned young lady" (p. 105) whose intellectual sophistication makes her attractive to a wide range of suitors. Pharos was one of the last publications of the Victoria Press, which was founded by Emily Faithfull in 1860 with the aim of providing employment for women, specifically in the role of compositors. The work and the press attracted the approval of Queen Victoria, and in 1861 Emily Faithfull was appointed by royal warrant Printer and Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty. Faithfull sold the company to the Queen Printing and Publishing Company in 1881. We have located two copies only of Pharos in institutional holdings worldwide (British Library and Leipzig). Octavo. Original green cloth decoratively stamped in black on spine and front board, and in blind on rear, spine lettered in gilt. Gift inscription on front pastedown: "For dear Ada, from Aunt Lucy, September 17th 1888"; no definitive evidence of it being authorial. Extremities bumped and occasionally worn, spine darkened, gilt slightly faded, front cover a little rubbed. A very good copy.