Southcott, Joanna - Ann Underwood - Jane Townley
The Book of Wonders, marvellous and true
£1,063
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 30 September 2020 at 11:00 BST
Description
[bound with: The Second Book of Wonders; The Third Book of Wonders; The Fourth Book of Wonders; The Fifth Book of Wonders]. London: W. Tozer..., 1813-1814. Volumes 1-5 bound as one, 8vo, contemporary red half morocco, some internal spotting and offsetting
Footnote
Note: Being raised in the Church of England and then joining the Wesleyan Church in 1792, Joanna Southcott was a self-styled religious prophetess whose followers are said to have numbered 100,000 by the end of the 19th century. Shortly after joining the Wesleyans, Southcott became persuaded that she possessed supernatural gifts, and announced that she was the 'Woman of the Apocalypse' [Revelation 12: 1-6]. Southcott belived that she would give birth to the new Messiah in 1814 but died shortly after the expected delivery date in the December of that year. Southcott's followers maintained their devotion into the 20th century. One notable follower, Jane Townley, invited Southcott to join her house in 1804 and, along with her maid Ann Underwood, became one of the main proponents of Southcottianism.