Philadelphia editions of all four volumes of Yearsley’s Gothic novel inspired by The Man in the Iron Mask. Known as ”Lactialla” or the poetical milkwoman, Yearsley was a poet with a basic education, born in Clifton. She came to the charitable notice of Hannah More of Bristol, who edited her poetry and managed her monies, a dependency that led to a falling out and accusations of classism against More. While mainly noted for her poetry, Gothic thriller The Royal Captives addresses the mistreatment of women, the poor and the lower classes, themes that resonated for Yearsley. These two volumes were owned by Sally Dimon of Fairfield. Yearsley was also an abolitionist.

Royal Captives 1: Philadelphia: Two volumes bound in one. Printed for Robert Campbell, 1795. Volume I, iv, 128. Volume II, 122. 12mo. First American edition, published the same year as the first edition. Vol. I: minor pen marks pages 53 and 79,  loss to page 105, intact tears  52, 107, 112, 113, 115, and 127. Vol II: leaves partially  loose, intact tear almost through page 47. Sally Dimon, proud owner wrote her name five times on the flyleaf of this volume: “Sally Dimon reads this book the 20th of [July] 18002”. 

Royal Captives Volume II: Philadelphia : Published by Thomas Bradford, printer, book-seller & stationer, no. 8, South Front Street, 1796. 328,[viii]. 12mo. Published by Bradford as Volume II, this comprises Volumes 3 and 4 of the original four volume work. Multiple names of other readers inscribed largely to flyleaf: Ann Brewster, Eunice, James, small tear from writing. Beneath this a neat faded inscription reading “Miss Sally Dimons book. Presented by her Brother/Fairfield March 1799.” Scare with 4 copies listed in ESTC, all in North America. Well-loved volumes.