PROCTOR (ADELAIDE A., editor) The Victoria Regia: A Volume of Original Contributions in Poetry a...

PROCTOR (ADELAIDE A., editor) The Victoria Regia: A Volume of Original Contributions in Poetry and Prose, FIRST EDITION, illustrations, light spotting, TWO AUTOGRAPH LETTERS SIGNED BY EMILY FAITHFULL (one to John Bowring concerning a proof of a poem, dated 18 June 1866; the other to a Mr. Pritchard enclosing a cheque, undated) loosely inserted, publisher's dark morocco gilt over boards designed by John Leighton (signed 'J.L.' on spine), the covers elaborately tooled with design including title and crown, g.e. [King 379, cloth version], large 8vo, Printed and Published by Emily Faithful and Co., Victoria Press (for the Employment of Women), 1861; and another copy, variant brown morocco gilt to same design but different gilt placement, spine faded (2) Footnotes: Two copies, in variant publisher's morocco binding designed by John Leighton, of a significant book printed and entirely published by women at the Victoria Press, set up by Emily Faithfull (1835–1895), who 'invested her own capital in the press and had the financial backing of another committee member of the Society for Promoting the Employment of Women, G. W. Hastings. The press employed at the outset some semi-experienced female compositors, who existed despite the trade restrictions practised by men...' (ODNB). The Victoria Regia was the most famous work issued by the press, attracting the approval of Queen Victoria who subsequently appointed Emily Faithfull by royal warrant 'Printer and Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty'. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: • • Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing