The Arte of Navigation

The 1584 edition of The Arte of Nauigation (The Art of Navigation), was printed by a woman named Iohan Lugge Wydowe. As far as design qualities go, it's an intricate work, displaying an embellished title-page and many diagrams, tables, and illustrations. The book itself was also quite significant for its contents. Sir Francis Drake put his copy to use, navigating around the globe.

Between 1550 and 1650, the beginning years of modern England, women could work a role in the printing trade. In Britain, it's suspected that about 130 women were playing an active role in the printing industry. It was not unusual to find women working in the printing houses of covenants or alongside family members and their husbands. It was quite typical to marry within the trade.

Located on the imprints of title pages, a woman printer may be referred to by her marital status. Most would be described as widows, allowing them to have control of their own business and the ability to print books independently. A female printer gained knowledge from experience working alongside her spouse, and it was common to use her husband's printing mark.