#NotALion

Lions drawn by people who had never seen one, and their cousins: #NotAnElephant, #NotADolphin, #NotABear and the rest of the menagerie.

#NotALion #WoodcutWednesday @Ebba_ballads 20826

Sixteenth century

Best. Woodcut. Ever. (With bonus #NotALion)

From: Stephen Batman, The doome warning all men to the iudgemente
Printed: London: Ralph Newbery, 1581
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1582)

Fifteenth century

I think I've found the worst woodcut of a #NotAnElephant ever. (With bonus #NotALion)

From: Bartholomaeus Anglicus, Bartholomeus de proprietatibus rerum
Printed: Westminster: Wynkyn de Worde, 1495
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 1536)

Sixteenth century

The #NotAnElephant is strong with this one.

From: The myrrour & dyscrypcyon of the worlde
Printed: London: Laurence Andrewe, 1527
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 24764)

When one book just isn’t enough. (With bonus #NotALion)

You could also go with this #NotALion from #LC1493. (If you're not feeling as grumpy)

Fifteenth century

"They're going to recongize that I'm a lion and be terrified," hoped this #NotALion.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

Aesop’s fable of the #NotALion and the Rat.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

“#NotALion, meet #NotAnElephant. #NotAnElephant, #NotALion.”

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

Well, y’all. I just found a #NotAPanther.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

This is what happens to #NotALion[s] ’round ‘ere.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

This #NotACat eats cock.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

#NotALion is not impressed.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20923)

Chauntecleere the Cocke testifying against Reynard the Foxe before the King #NotALion.

Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 20923)

Fifteenth century

When your friend is being an ass, and you're the only one to appreciate it.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Fifteenth century

Ummm… I don't care which one it is supposed to be. Definitely, #NotATiger.

From: Aesop, Here begynneth the prologue of the first booke of Esope
Printed: London: Richard Pynson, 1497
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 176)

Sixteenth century

Early modern Spider-Man vs. a #NotALion.

From: Thomas Malory, The story of the moste noble and worthy kynge Arthur
Printed: London: William Copland, 1557
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 804)

Sixteenth century

A sexy #NotAnElephant with some killer, long legs. (With bonus #NotALion)

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

A splendid #NotADolphin.

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

Just a #NotAnElephant and #NotADolphin hanging out.

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

When someone calls you a #NotALion to your face.

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

“Oh, it’s just a harmless little bunny, isn’t it?”

From: Geffrey Whitney, A choice of emblemes, and other deuises, for the moste parte gathered…
Printed: 1586
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 25438)

Sixteenth century

"No. The 'Good News' wasn't that you would get a new, more realistic face, #NotALion."

From: William Tyndale, The Newe Testament yet once agayne corrected by Willyam Tindale
Printed: Antwerp, 1536
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 2832)

Seventeenth century

God, walking his #NotALion.

From: Henry Peacham, Minerua Britanna or A garden of heroical deuises furnished, and adorned with…
Printed: 1612
Image from: Early English Books Online (STC 19511)