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"The Illustrated London News" Reviews the First Year at Emily Faithfull's Victoria Press

6/5/1861
Victoria Press in Illustrated London News
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On June 15, 1861 The Illustrated London News published an article about Victoria Faithfull's Victoria Press after it had been in operation for a year, along with an illustration of work at the press that was frequently reproduced or copied without attribution. Considering the traditional opposition of the predominantly male printing trades to the entrance of women, I was surprised by the supportive nature of this review. Here is the text of the article printed on p. 555:

"THE VICTORIA PRESS

"The introduction of women into the printing trade can now claim the consideration due to a successful experiment. The Victoria Press was opened in March, 1860, and has therefore stood the text of one year's work, and has triumphed over all the preliminary difficulties with which such an undertaking could not fail to be attending. The originators of this enterprise believed that former failures were to be traced to causes altogether apart from the nature of the work. They believed that these failures arose from the small scale of the experiments, which from the nature of the work and the considerable outlay of capital required before economical success can be secured, carried risk of a larger experiment than any hitherto tried, feeling that the time was ripe for it. The public mind, long either strongly opposed or utterly indifferent to such innovations, was in enlightened quarters beginning to feel the necessity for extending the industrial employment of women. A certain amount of support was to be expected, an expectation which has been amply realised. The footing of the concern is that of a private business in which a considerable capital has been embarked. Miss Emily Faithfull, as one of the proprietors, understook the sole management, and a year ago the office opened with a few girls, five of whom were apprenticed by the Society for Promoting the Employment of Women. In time these were joined by a few who had been trained by male relatives, but who could find not other outlet for their industry.

"The site of the office of Great Coram street is somewhat out of the bustle of business, but it was chosen as a quiet and respectable neighborhood for the experiment. Several large volumes have issued from the Victoria Press, showing efficient workmanship. Among them we may mention 'The Transactions of the Social Science Association,' a volume of nine hundred pages; also 'The Report of the Committee on Trade Societies' published by John W. Parker, 'The Englishwoman's Journal,' a monthly publication devoted to the interests of women, is also issued from the office. If the Victoria Press continues to obtain the public support wiich has hitherto been extended to it there is no doubt of its utlimate entire success even as a commercial undertaking, and this is earnestly to be desired, as the only ground on which the extension of the experiment can be justly urged.

"Vistors are allowed to inspect the establishment between three and five o'clock daily, and we recommend any one interested in the employement of women to take advantage of the permission thus extended to them." 

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