Publications of W. D.

Note: The following printer, bookseller, or publisher lists are works in progress. They are generated from title page imprints and may reproduce false and misleading attributions or contain errors.

What does "printed by" mean? How to read the roles ascribed to people in the imprints.

In terms of the book trades, the lists below are sorted into up to four groups where: the person is designated in the imprint as having a single role:

  1. "printed by x"; or
  2. "sold by x"; or
  3. "printed for x" or "published by x"; or

as having multiple roles in combination (which suggests a likelihood that the person is a trade publisher):

  1. "printed and sold by x"; "printed for and sold by x"; or "printed by and for x" and so on.

Printers (owners of the type and printing presses, and possibly owners of the copyright) may be identified by the words printed by, but printed by does not universally designate a person who is a printer by trade. Booksellers may be identified by the words sold by, but sold by encompasses a number of roles. Booksellers or individuals who owned the copyright are generally identified by the words printed for, but nothing should be concluded in this regard without further evidence, especially since "printed for" could signify that the named person was a distributor rather than a copyright holder. Trade publishers, who distributed books and pamphlets but did not own the copyright or employ a printer—and were not printers themselves—might be identified by the words printed and sold by. Furthermore, works from this period often display false imprints, whether to evade copyright restrictions, to conceal the name of the copyright holders, or to dupe unwitting customers. Ultimately, one must proceed with caution in using the following lists: designations in the imprints may not reliably reflect the actual trades or roles of the people named, and the formulas used in imprints do not consistently mean the same thing.

David Foxon discussed the "meaning of the imprint" in his Lyell Lecture delivered at Oxford in March 1976, with particular attention to "publishers" in the eighteenth-century context:

The fullest form of an imprint is one which names three people, or groups of people:
     London: printed by X (the printer), for Y (the bookseller who owned the copyright), and sold by Z.
In the eighteenth century the printer's name is rarely given, at least in works printed in London, and the form is more commonly:
     London: printed for Y, and sold by Z.
Very often in this period, and particularly for pamphlets, it is further abbreviated to:
     London: printed and sold by Z.
It is this last form which is my present concern. Z is usually what the eighteenth century called 'a publisher', or one who distributes books and pamphlets without having any other responsibility—he does not own the copyright or employ a printer, or even know the author.

D. F. McKenzie coined the term "trade publisher" for these publishers in his Sandars Lectures, also in 1976, on the grounds that their principal role was to publish on behalf of other members of the book trade (Treadwell 100).

Michael Treadwell cautions that "In this period the imprint 'London: Printed and sold by A.B.' normally means 'Printed at London, and sold by A.B.' and must not be taken to mean that A.B. is a printer in the absence of other evidence." Further, "The imprint 'published by' occurs only rarely in Wing and is almost always associated with the name of a trade publisher" (104). While there are exceptions to the rule, it is "certain," he explains, "that anyone who made a speciality of distributing works for others will show a far higher proportion than normal of imprints in one of the 'sold by' forms" (116), which appear in the imprint as "sold by," "printed and sold by," or "published by" (104). Treadwell gives Walter Kettilby as an example of "a fairly typical copyright-owning bookseller" (106)—his role is almost always designated by the phrase "printed for" on imprints.

A final caution: publisher is a word that should be used with some deliberation. Samuel Johnson defines it simply as "One who puts out a book into the world," but "published by" rarely appears on the imprint until later in the eighteenth century, and then primarily associated with newspapers and pamphlets. Treadwell observes that John Dunton names only five publishers among the 200 binders and booksellers in his autobiographical Life and Errors (1705) wherein he undertakes "to draw the Character of the most Eminent [Stationers] in the Three Kingdoms" (100). Treadwell also remarks, however, that "in law, anyone who offered a work for sale 'published' it. In this sense every work had one or more 'publishers', and every bookseller, mercury, and hawker was a 'publisher'" (114).


See:

  • Terry Belanger, "From Bookseller to Publisher: Changes in the London Book Trade, 1750–1850," in Book Selling and Book Buying. Aspects of the Nineteenth-Century British and North American Book Trade, ed. Richard G. Landon (Chicago: American Library Association, 1978).
  • Bricker, Andrew Benjamin. "Who was 'A. Moore'? The Attribution of Eighteenth-Century Publications with False and Misleading Imprints," in The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America 110.2 (2016).
  • John Dunton, The Life and Errors of John Dunton (London: Printed for S. Malthus, 1705).
  • John Feather, "The Commerce of Letters: The Study of the Eighteenth-Century Book Trade," Eighteenth-Century Studies 17 (1984).
  • David Foxon, Pope and the Early Eighteenth-Century Book Trade, ed. James McLaverty (Oxford University Press, 1991).
  • Samuel Johnson, Dictionary of the English Language, (printed for J. and P. Knapton; T. and T. Longman; C. Hitch and L. Hawes; A. Millar; and R. and J. Dodsley, 1755).
  • D.F. McKenzie, The London Book Trade in the Later Seventeenth Century (Sandars lectures in bibliography, 1977).
  • Michael Treadwell, "London Trade Publishers 1675–1750," The Library sixth series, vol. 4, no. 2 (1982).

Printed by W. D.

  • Ward, Edward. Miscellaneous writings, in verse and prose, both serious and comical, containing, twenty one excellent poems upon very diverting Subjects. Also several pleasant letters upon various Occasions both in Town and Country. With merry observations and predictions upon every month, and every remarkable Day throughout the Year. By Mr. Edward Ward. Vol. III. London: printed by W. D. and sold by J. Woodward in Scalding-Alley over-against Stocks-Market, MDCCXII. [1712] [1711]. ESTC No. N22085. Grub Street ID 11448.

Author

  • D., W.. The increase of popery in England, since the Reformation made by King Henry VIII. Shewing the great encouragement that priests, Jesuits, and other promoters of that bloudy religion have had from persons of power and authority. The discouragements and notorious hardships, even to silencing, and banishment from cities and corporations, that have been the portion of many able and faithful Protestant ministers, that have eminently opposed it. With an essay towards what may possibly befall the Churches of Christ from the hellish contrivances and damnable plots of Romis emissaries. With a faithful extract out of the most authentick records of the most memorable things referring to the reformation, viz. King Henry VIII. his reasons given in his proclamation for taking away the Popes usurped power. ... Intended to be published in the year 1667, but seized at the press by R.L.S. and others. By the late reverend William Dell, sometime Rector of Yelden in Bedfordshire. London: printed for Richard Janeway, 1681. ESTC No. R18984. Grub Street ID 76792.
  • D., W.. A modal [sic] for the French King: or The memorable acts of Henry the Eight; extirpating popery and introducing the Protestant religion. Collected out of the most authentick records of the most memorable things, referring to the reformation, for publick good. London: printed for R. Baldwin, 1682. ESTC No. R15623. Grub Street ID 63540.
  • D., W.. A letter to the author of the reply to a late paper called A full answer to Dr. Tenison's conferences concerning the Eucharist. [London: printed by Henry Hills, printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty for his houshold and chappel; and are to be sold at his printing-house on the ditch-side in Black-Fryars, 1687]. ESTC No. R34421. Grub Street ID 116945.
  • D., W.. A vindication of Saint Ignatius, (founder of the Society of Jesus) from phanaticism; and of the Jesuites, from the calumnies laid to their charge in a late book, entitul'd, The enthusiasm of the Church of Rome. By William Darrel, priest, of the Society of Jesus. London: printed for Anthony Boudet, over-against the May-Pole in the Strand, bookseller, 1688. ESTC No. R8705. Grub Street ID 128849.
  • D., W.. A gentleman instructed in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. London: printed for E. Evets at the Green Dragon in St. Paul's church-yard, 1704. ESTC No. T109567. Grub Street ID 162315.
  • D., W.. A gentleman instructed in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. London: printed for E. Evets at the Green Dragon in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1704. ESTC No. T125919. Grub Street ID 175971.
  • D., W.. A gentleman instructed in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. London: printed for E. Smith, and are to be sold by Rich. Wilkin, 1707. ESTC No. N1089. Grub Street ID 875.
  • D., W.. A supplement to the first part of the Gentleman instructed, with a word to the ladies. Written for the instruction of the young nobility of both sexes. London: printed for E. Read at the Bible and Lamb the Corner of Duke-Street, and sold by J. Morphew near Stationer's-Hall, 1708. ESTC No. N24730. Grub Street ID 14078.
  • D., W.. A gentleman instructed in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. London: printed for E. Smith, and are to be sold by Rich. Wilkin at the King's-Head in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1709. ESTC No. T145449. Grub Street ID 192189.
  • D., W.. The gentleman instructed in the way of conversation, entertainment of friends, management of his estate, ... With reflections on some modern practitioners of law. As also an essay upon the immortality of the soul. Part III. London: printed for E. Smith, and are to be sold by Rich. Wilkin, 1712. ESTC No. T213600. Grub Street ID 240359.
  • D., W.. The gentleman instructed, in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. In three parts. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. To which is added, a word to the ladies, by way of supplement to the first part. London: printed by J. Heptinstall for E. Smith, and are to be sold by Rich. Wilkin at the King's-Head in St. Paul's Church-Yard., MDCCXIII. [1713]. ESTC No. T108841. Grub Street ID 161688.
  • D., W.. The gentleman instructed, in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. In three parts. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. To which is added, a word to the ladies, by way of supplement to the first part. London: printed for J. Heptinstall for E. Smith, and are to be sold by Rich. Wilkin at the King's-Head in S. Paul's Church-Yard, MDCCXVI. [1716]. ESTC No. T108122. Grub Street ID 161076.
  • D., W.. The case review'd, or, an answer to The case stated, by Mr. L---y. In which it is clearly shewed, that he has stated the case wrong between the Church of Rome, and the Church of England. ... By the author of The gentleman instructed. London [i.e. Saint-Omer]: printed[by the English College Press], 1717. ESTC No. T106612. Grub Street ID 159758.
  • D., W.. The gentleman instructed, in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. In three parts. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. To which is added, A word to the ladies, by way of supplement to the first part. London: printed by W.B. for E. Smith, and are to be sold by Rich. Wilkin at the King's-Head in St. Paul's Church-Yard, MDCCXX. [1720]. ESTC No. T136515. Grub Street ID 184722.
  • D., W.. A treatise of the real presence; in answer to the author of, The case stated. In which 'tis clearly shew'd, we have both Scripture and Fathers on our Side; and consequently, something besides, An untelligible Jargon of Metaphysicks. p. 150. The second part. By the author of, The gentleman instructed. London [i.e. Saint-Omer]: Printed [at the English College Press], MDCCXXI. [1721]. ESTC No. T117822. Grub Street ID 169405.
  • D., W.. The gentleman instructed, in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. In three parts. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. To which is added, a word to the ladies, by way of supplement to the first part. [Dublin]: London printed, and Dublin re-printed, by and for Sam. Fairbrother, bookseller, and are to be sold at his shop in Skinner-Row, over-against the Tholsel, 1723. ESTC No. T75329. Grub Street ID 298059.
  • D., W.. The gentleman instructed, in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. In three parts. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. To which is added, A word to the ladies, by way of supplement to the first part. London: printed by W.B. for E. Smith, and are to be sold by Rich. Wilkin at the King's-Head in St. Paul's Church-Yard, M.DCC.XXIII. [1723]. ESTC No. T136514. Grub Street ID 184721.
  • D., W.. The gentleman instructed, in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. In three parts. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. To which is added, a word to the ladies, ... [Dublin]: London printed, and Dublin re-printed, by and for Sam. Fairbrother, 1725. ESTC No. T122531. Grub Street ID 173201.
  • D., W.. The gentleman instructed, in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. In three parts. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. To which is added, a word to the ladies, by way of supplement to the first part. London: printed by W.B. for E. Smith, and are to be sold by Rich. Wilkin at the King's-Head in St. Paul's Church-Yard, M,DCC,XXVII. [1727]. ESTC No. T109898. Grub Street ID 162518.
  • D., W.. Moral reflections on the epistles and gospels of every Sunday throughout the whole year. The third part ... By the author of the gentleman instructed. London: printed for Thomas Meighan, 1732. ESTC No. T170138. Grub Street ID 207873.
  • D., W.. Moral reflections on the epistles and gospels of every Sunday throughout the whole year. The fourth part. ... By the author of the gentleman instructed. London: printed for Thomas Meighan, 1732. ESTC No. T170139. Grub Street ID 207874.
  • D., W.. The gentleman instructed, in the conduct of a Virtuous and Happy Life. In three parts. Written for the Instruction of a Young Nobleman. To which is added, A Word to the Ladies, By Way of Supplement to the First Part. London: printed by W. Burton, for the executrix of E. Smith; and sold by W. Parker, at the King's-Head, in St. Paul's Church-Yard, MDCCXXXII. [1732]. ESTC No. T5989. Grub Street ID 285841.
  • D., W.. Moral reflections on the epistles and gospels of every Sunday, throughout the whole year. The second part. ... By the author of the gentleman instructed. London: printed for W. Lewis, 1733. ESTC No. T170136. Grub Street ID 207871.
  • D., W.. Moral reflections on the epistles and gospels of every Sunday, throughout the whole year. Divided into four parts. ... By the author of The gentleman instructed. London: printed and sold by Tho. Meighan, 1734. ESTC No. T205921. Grub Street ID 235543.
  • D., W.. Moral reflections on select passages of the New Testament: divided into portions for every Sunday throughout the year. For the use of families. Written by the author of The gentleman instructed. In two volumes. ... London: printed for W. Bickerton, 1736. ESTC No. T118056. Grub Street ID 169619.
  • D., W.. The gentleman instructed, in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. In three parts. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. To which is added, a word to the ladies, by way of supplement to the first part. London: printed for D. Midwinter, A. Bettesworth and C. Hitch, J. and J. Pemberton, R. Ware, C. Rivington, F. Clay, A. Ward, J. and P. Knapton, T. Longman, R. Hett, and J. Wood, M.DCC.XXXVIII. [1738]. ESTC No. T122417. Grub Street ID 173107.
  • D., W.. Moral reflections on the epistles and gospels of every Sunday, throughout the whole year. In four volumes. By Mr. Dorrell [sic], author of the Gentleman Instructed. Dublin: printed for Ignatius Kelly, at the Stationer's-Arms in Mary's-Lane, bookseller, MDCCXL. [1740]. ESTC No. N71287. Grub Street ID 51573.
  • D., W.. The Christian instructed: being moral reflections on select passages of the New Testament: divided into portions for every Sunday throughout the year. ... Written by the author of The gentleman instructed. London: printed for Jacob Robinson, and J. Wood, 1747. ESTC No. T165274. Grub Street ID 203530.
  • D., W.. Devoirs des personnes de qualité. Traduit de l'anglois. ... Londres [i.e. Paris: De l'imprimerie de Joseph Barbou], 1751. ESTC No. T218878. Grub Street ID 243247.
  • D., W.. The gentleman instructed, in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. In three parts. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. To which is added, a word to the ladies, by way of supplement to the first part. Dublin: printed for Ignatius Kelly, and John Exshaw, 1753. ESTC No. T187185. Grub Street ID 223257.
  • D., W.. The gentleman instructed in the conduct of a virtuous and happy life. Written for the instruction of a young nobleman. To which is added, a word to the ladies. In two volumes. Vol. I. London: printed for R. Ware, J. Knapton, C. Hitch and L. Hawes, J. Hodges, J. and J. Rivington, J. Ward, R. Baldwin, M. and T. Longman, J. Waugh and W. Fenner, and M. Cooper. MDCCLV. [1755]. ESTC No. T109255. Grub Street ID 162061.
  • D., W.. Moral reflections on the epistles and gospels of every Sunday, throughout the whole year. In four volumes. ... By Mr. Dorrell [sic], ... Dublin: printed for Edward Walsh, 1767. ESTC No. T107588. Grub Street ID 160606.
  • D., W.. Moral reflections on the epistles and gospels of every Sunday, throughout the whole year. In four volumes. By Mr. Dorrell [sic], author of the Gentleman Instructed. Dublin: printed for Ignatius Kelly, at the Stationer's-Arms in Mary's-Lane, bookseller, MDCCXCI. [1791]. ESTC No. N71292. Grub Street ID 51579.
  • D., W.. Moral reflections on the epistles and gospels of every Sunday, throughout the whole year. By W. Dorrell [sic], ... Dublin: printed for R. Cross and P. Wogan, 1794. ESTC No. T170133. Grub Street ID 207870.