Publications of James Watts

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 James Watts

  • Keating, Geoffrey. Doctor Keting's history of Ireland: translated by Dermod O Connor, ... Dublin: printed by A. Thiboust and J. Watts, 1713. ESTC No. T202111. Grub Street ID 233150.
  • Behn, Aphra. The rover: or, the banish'd cavaliers. A comedy. Written by the ingenious Mrs. Behn. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, for W. Smith, at the Dutchess's Head, opposite the Castle-Market, in Dames-Street, MDCCXXIV. [1724]. ESTC No. N13191. Grub Street ID 3128.
  • Haywood, Eliza. The British recluse: or, the secret history of Cleomira, suppos'd dead. And The injur'd husband: or, the mistaken resentment. Two novels. Written by Mrs. Eliza Haywood. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, 1724. ESTC No. T57807. Grub Street ID 284002.
  • Wesley, Samuel. The pig, and the mastiff. Two tales. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, 1725. ESTC No. N60822. Grub Street ID 43811.
  • Fellow of the Royal Society.. Remarks on Dr. Cheyne's Essay. Of health and long life. Wherein some of the doctor's notorious contradictions, and false reasonings are laid open. Together with several observations on the same subject; ... By a Fellow of the Royal Society. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, for W. Smith, 1725. ESTC No. T168816. Grub Street ID 206686.
  • A general history of pyrates, their robberies and murders, ... To which is prefix'd an account of the famous Captain Avery and his companions; ... To which is added, a short abstract of the statute and civil law, in relation to pyracy. By Capt. Charles Johnson. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, 1725. ESTC No. N30895. Grub Street ID 19809.
  • Wesley, Samuel. The pig, and the mastiff. Two tales. Dubdin [sic, i.e. Dublin]: printed by J. Watts, for W. Smith, 1725. ESTC No. T199466. Grub Street ID 231574.
  • Owen, Charles. An alarm to Protestant princes and people, who are all struck at in the Popish cruelties at Thorn, and other barbarous executions abroad. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, for H. Shaw, at the Corner of Darby's-Square, in Warborough-Street, MDCCXXV. [1725]. ESTC No. T89506. Grub Street ID 309398.
  • Brown, Thomas. Amusements serious and comical. By Mr. Thomas Brown. With his walk round London and Westminster ... To which is added a character of him and his writings. By James Drake, ... Dublin: printed by J. Watts, 1725. ESTC No. N45522. Grub Street ID 30427.
  • The creation of women. A poem. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, for J. Thompson, 1725. ESTC No. N1203. Grub Street ID 2039.
  • Otway, Thomas. The history and fall of Caius Marius. A tragedy. By Mr. Thomas Otway. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, 1725. ESTC No. N17442. Grub Street ID 6911.
  • Vida, Marco Girolamo. Vida's Art of poetry, translated into English verse, by the Reverend Mr. Christopher Pitt, A. M. Late Fellow of New-College in Oxford, Rector of Pimpern in Dorsetshire, and Chaplain to the Right Honourable Philip, Earl Stanhope, &c. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, for J. Thompson, at the Sign of the Bible on Cork-Hill, next Door to Lucas's Coffee-House, MDCCXXVI. [1726]. ESTC No. T50753. Grub Street ID 278295.
  • Cases argued and adjudged in the High Court of Chancery. Published from the manuscripts of Thomas Vernon, ... by order of the High Court of Chancery. ... Dublin: printed by J. Watts, 1726-29. ESTC No. T208150. Grub Street ID 237093.
  • Radcliffe, Stephen. A serious and humble enquiry whether it be lawful, prudent, or convenient, that a toleration of Popery should be enacted by Authority of Parliament? Or, whether speedy and effectual Measures ought not rather to be taken, to suppress the Growth and Encrease of that superstitious and idolatrous Way of Worship, as highly dangerous to the True Religion establish'd amongst us; to the Protestant Succession in the Illustrious House of Hanover and the True Protestant Interest of this Kingdom of Ireland. Together with an answer to an anonymous letter, on the subject of my letter and reply to Mr. Synge's sermon and vindication. By Stephen Radcliffe, A. M. Vicar of Naas. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, opposite the Watch-House, on the North Side of College-Green, 1727. ESTC No. T58871. Grub Street ID 284961.
  • Bradley, Richard. A complete body of husbandry: collected from the practice and experience of the most considerable farmers in Britain. Particularly setting forth The various Ways of Improving Land, by Hollow Ditching, Draining, Double Plowing, Grasing, Enclosing, Watering and Manuring. With Particular Directions for the fertilizing of Broom-Ground, Heath-Ground, Furz, Bushey, and Chilturn-Ground: Also the Method of Improvement, by assorting proper Plants to Lands, and of shifting of Crops. To which is added, Several Particulars relating to the Preservation of the Game; and stated Accounts of the Expence and Profits of Arable, Pasture, Meadow and Wood Lands. Adorn'd with cuts. By R. Bradley, Professor of Botany in the University of Cambridge, and F.R.S. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold at the corner of Sycamore-Alley, in Dame Street, MDCCXXVII. [1727]. ESTC No. T162149. Grub Street ID 201015.
  • Blondel, James Augustus. The strength of imagination in pregnant women examin'd: and the opinion that marks and deformities in children arise from thence, demonstrated to be a vulgar error. By a Member of the College of Physicians, London. [Dublin]: London printed; and re-printed in Dublin by J. Watts, for F. Davys, 1727. ESTC No. T177769. Grub Street ID 214685.
  • Markwell, Humphry. Medicina denudata: or, an examination of some reflections on bleeding, vomiting and purging in the beginning of fevers, small-pox, pleurisies, and other acute diseases. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold at the corner of Sycomore-Alley [sic] in Dames-Street, 1727. ESTC No. T172713. Grub Street ID 210127.
  • An answer to two papers, said to be wrote by the late King Charles IId. As also to one, said to be wrote by the late Dutchess of York, concerning the authority of the Catholick Church in matters of faith, and the reformation of the Church of England. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold at the corner of Sycamore-Alley, in Dames-street, 1728. ESTC No. T191480. Grub Street ID 226349.
  • The bishop of London's pastoral letter to the people of his diocese; particularly, to those of the two great cities of London and Westminster. Occasion'd by some late writings in favour of infidelity. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold at the corner of Sycomore-Alley, in Dames-Street, 1728. ESTC No. N15508. Grub Street ID 5227.
  • Cotton, Charles. Scarronnides, or Virgile travestie. A mock-poem, in imitation of the first and fourth books of Virgil's Æneis, in English burlesque. By Charles Cotton, Esq;. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, 1728. ESTC No. T139410. Grub Street ID 187259.
  • The bishop of London's pastoral letter to the people of his diocese; Particularly, to those of the two great Cities of London and Westminster. Occasion'd by some late Writings in favour of Infidelity. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, for P. Crampton, at Addison's Head in Dames-Street, opposite the Horse-Guard, and H. Osborne in Skinner-Row, 1728. ESTC No. T64685. Grub Street ID 289667.
  • Breviter, Thomas. A preservative against popery, collected out of the writings of our most able divines. In answer to a book entituled Fifty reasons or motives why the Roman Catholick apostolick religion ought to be prefer'd to all the sects this day in christendom, ... and also to the papers annex'd to the said book. ... By a presbyter of the Diocess of Derry. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold at the corner of Sycomore-Alley, in Dames-street, 1728. ESTC No. T178564. Grub Street ID 215470.
  • Gay, John. The shepherd's week. In six pastorals. By Mr. J. Gay. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold by J. Thompson, 1728. ESTC No. T13920. Grub Street ID 187068.
  • Fénelon, François de Salignac de La Mothe-. The lives and most remarkable maxims of the ancient philosophers. Written by M. de Fenelon, late Archbishop of Cambray. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold at the Corner of Sycomore-Alley, MDCCXXVIII. [1728]. ESTC No. T61503. Grub Street ID 287195.
  • Sprat, Thomas. A discourse made by the Lord Bishop of Rochester (Dr. Thomas Sprat) to the clergy of his diocese, at his visitation in the year 1695. ... Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold [by] S. Brock, 1729. ESTC No. T65805. Grub Street ID 290645.
  • Fletcher, John. An english introduction to the Latin tongue. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, at the Sign of the Lord Carteret's Head in Dames-Street, MDCCXXIX. [1729]. ESTC No. T154392. Grub Street ID 198514.
  • Fénelon, François de Salignac de La Mothe-. The lives and most remarkable maxims of the antient philosophers. Written by M. de Fenelon, ... Dublin: printed by J. Watts, for S. Brock, 1729. ESTC No. T169747. Grub Street ID 207546.
  • The treaty of Seville, and the measures that have been taken for the four last years, impartially consider'd. In a letter to a friend. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and W. S. Anburey, 1730. ESTC No. T175440. Grub Street ID 212533.
  • Gulliverianus, Martinus. The art of beauing: In Imitation Of Horace's Art of Poetry. Addres'd To a Certain Lord. By Martinus Gulliverianus. [Dublin]: London printed, and Dublin: reprinted by J. Watts, and W. S. Anburey, in Caple-Street; and sold by J. Thompson on Cork-Hill, M,DCC,XXX. [1730]. ESTC No. T22437. Grub Street ID 246614.
  • Anderson, James. The constitutions of the free-masons. Containing the history, charges, regulations, &c. of that most ancient and right worshipful fraternity. For the use of the lodges. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, for J. Pennell, 1730. ESTC No. T210428. Grub Street ID 238539.
  • Prideaux, Humphrey. The true nature of imposture fully display'd in the life of Mahomet. By Humphrey Prideaux, D. D. Dean of Norwich. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, at the Sign of the Lord Carteret's Head in Dames-Street, and sold at the corner of Sycomore-Alley; and by Stearne Brock, in Essex-Street, near Essex-Gate, MDCCXXX. [1730]. ESTC No. T138496. Grub Street ID 186362.

Printed by and for, or by/for and sold by James Watts

  • Wood, Thomas. An institute of the laws of England; or, the laws of England in their natural order, according to common use. Published for the Direction of Young Beginners, or Students in the Law; and others that desire to have a General Knowledge in our Common and Statute Laws. In four books. By Thomas Wood, L. L. D. and Barrister at Law. The fourth edition corrected. To which is added Some thoughts concerning the study of the laws of England in the two universities, (which is not in the English Edition) by the same Author. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold opposite the Watch-House, on the North Side of College-Green, MDCCXXIV. [1724]. ESTC No. T118567. Grub Street ID 170083.
  • Haywood, Eliza. The injur'd husband; or, the mistaken resentment. A novel. Written by Mrs. Eliza Haywood. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold opposite the Watch-House, on the North-Side of College-Green, 1724. ESTC No. T75402. Grub Street ID 298129.
  • Oldham, John. Satyrs upon the Jesuits: written in the year 1679. And very applicable to the present times. By Mr. John Oldham. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold opposite the Watch-House, the North-Side of College-Green, MDCCXXV. [1725]. ESTC No. N23001. Grub Street ID 12362.
  • Burnet, Gilbert. Bishop Burnet's travels through Switzerland, Italy, some parts of Germany, &c. Containing An Account of what seem'd most remarkable in those Parts. Communicated by him, in several Letters, to the Honourable Robt. Boyle, Esq; To which is added, an appendix, containing some remarks on Switzerland and Italy, writ by a person of quality, and communicated to the Author. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold opposite the Watch-House, on the North-Side of College-Green, MDCCXXV. [1725]. ESTC No. T129477. Grub Street ID 178935.
  • Otway, Thomas. The orphan: or, the unhappy marriage. A tragedy. By Mr. Tho. Otway. Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold opposite the watch-house, the North-Side of College-Green, MDCCXXVI. [1726]. ESTC No. N11007. Grub Street ID 1000.
  • Chomel, Noel. Dictionaire oeconomique: or, the family dictionary. Containing the most experienc'd methods of improving estates and of preserving health, ... All sorts of rural sports and exercises, ... Done into English from the second edition, lately printed at Paris, ... written by M. Chomell. With considerable alterations and improvements. Revised and recommended by Mr. R. Bradley, ... In two volumes. ... Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold opposite the Watch-House, on the north-side of College-Green: and by F. Davys, 1727. ESTC No. T118058. Grub Street ID 169621.
  • Bradley, Richard. The country housewife and lady's director, in the management of a house, and the delights and profits of a farm. ... By R. Bradley, ... Dublin: printed by J. Watts, and sold opposite the Watch-house the North-side of College-Green, and by R. Norris, and William Smith, 1727. ESTC No. N2987. Grub Street ID 18870.
  • Duck, Stephen. Poems on several subjects: written by Stephen Duck, lately a poor thresher ... which were publickly read in the drawing-room at Windsor-Castle, on Friday the 11th of September, 1730, to Her Majesty. Who was thereupon most graciously pleased to take the author into her roya protection, ... Dublin: printed by and for J. Watts, 1731. ESTC No. T225944. Grub Street ID 247659.