POPE JOAN – COOKE, Alexander (1564-1632). Pope Joane. A Dialogue Betweene a Protestant and Papist. Manifestly proving, that a woman called Joane was Pope of Rome. London: [R. Field] for Ed. Blunt and W. Barret, 1610.

Two rare first edition works on Pope Joan, one the Blount-Litchfield-Pirie copy. The legendary Pope Joan supposedly reigned as Johannes Anglicus sometime in the late 9th century. Her masculine disguise fell apart when she gave birth during a procession. Both of the present pamphlets argue for the truth of the legend as a way of casting aspersions on the Catholic hierarchy. STC (2nd ed.), 5659.

Quarto (170 x 126mm). Woodcut device on title (first and last leaves dustsoiled, a few holes in title, a few headlines just shaved). Contemporary calf ruled in blind (rebacked). Provenance: partially trimmed inscription dated 1611 on title of "Stephanus" – Sir Thomas Pope Blount, 1649-1697 (Tittenhanger library inscription on pastedown) – E. Hubert Litchfield (bookplate) – Bent Juel-Jansen, 1922-2006 (printed book label) – Robert Pirie (bookplate).

[With:] WARE, Robert (1639-1697). Pope Joan: or, An Account Collected out of the Romish Authors proved to be of the clergy and members of that Church, Before Luther left her Doctrine, and also of Romish authors, since Luther departed from Rome; testifying, that there was a She-Pope, who sate in that See, and Ruled the Same. London: for William Miller at the Gilded Acorn, 1689. First edition by the famous forger. Wing W850. Quarto (178 x 126mm). Title in double rule (some headlines shaved). Modern half blue morocco over marbled boards (worn at extremities). Provenance: Marcel Beekus (stamp).