Letter Addressed to the Rev. T. P. Foley upon the subject of his sanctioning and supporting the pretensions of Joanna Southcott; with some observations upon her supposed mission.
London: Sherwood, Neely and Jones, 1813. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo. 56pp. booklet Late 20th century binding: blue paper covered boards with black and white printed title label to upper board. The scarce first publication of an anonymously penned letter to the Rev. T. P. Foley "upon the subject of his sanctioning and supporting the pretensions of Joanna Southcott; with some observations upon her supposed mission. " A rare critique of Southcott, published during her lifetime. The person to whom the letter (essay really) is addressed was the Rev. Thomas P. Foley (1758-1835), an aristocratic local who was one of her most prominent supporters. Joanna Southcott (1750 – 1814), was a former domestic servant who declared herself to be the "Woman of the Apocalypse" described in Revelations. She pronounced various prophecies, founded her own religious movement, and published prolifically. At age 64 she announced that she was pregnant and that her child would be the new Messiah, the Shiloh of Genesis, but she died shortly thereafter, and according to post-mortem accounts, had not been with child. A very scarce booklet, worldcat records only 2 copies. From the collection of Dr. M. H. Coleman, with his ex-libris seal blind-stamped on the front free endpaper. Light bruising to spine ends, very light scattered browning to pages which are lightly toned - otherwise a lovely, bright VG+ copy both inside and out. Item #60862
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