Paul Howard's Captivity; and why he escaped. Founded on Fact. [Formosa / Taiwan]

Rare, Fine copy of the First Edition of the last book published by this famous prolific author of children's books and one unusually including her married name of Norris. Clean and bright green cloth with blind-stamped and gilt designs to upper cover and spine. Hardly any bumping to corners and minuscule wear to spine top and tail. Firm, square binding and nothing loose or shaken. Clean end-papers with no inscription. Highly unusual immaculate clean condition throughout. 128 pages of easy to read, larger than normal print with symmetrically designed chapter heads and fine engraved vignettes at chapter ends. Four accomplished full-page engraved illustrations by 'End' (E.N. Downard), one dramatically depicting a baby falling from a ship.32 page catalogue of books to rear listing the publisher's 'Original Juvenile Library' (a fabulous piece of social history in itself). Emilia Marryat (1835-1875) was the third daughter of the famous author of nautical fiction, Captain Frederick Marryat (eg. Mr Midshipman Easy) and was born in Devonport, Plymouth. Emilia's sister Florence wrote more sensational novels such as Blood of the Vampire (1897). Emilia died young at 44 years and this work, her last, was published posthumously with a touching note by her sister Augusta: 'Since these pages were written, but before they could go to press, the kind hand that penned them. lay at rest'. The boys and girls with whom she shared both joys and sorrows should now receive the book as a legacy from one who loved you. The story is a true one - with name changes - and describes a young Paul Howard who travels to Taiwan (Formosa), learns watchmaking and is abducted by pirates. On the final page the author states that Paul Howard is now one of the leading merchants in China.…