Publications of Thomas Wright

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 for Thomas Wright

  • Phillips, Edward. The stage-Mutineers: or, a play-house to be let. A tragi-comi-farcical-ballad opera, as it is acted at the Theatre-Royal in Covent-Garden. By a gentleman late of Trinity-College, Cambridge. London: printed for H. Slater, in Clements Inn; F. Noble, at Otway’s Head, St. Martin’s-Court; T. Wright, at the Bible in Exeter-Exchange, Strand; J. Duncan, in St. Martin’s-Court, St. Martin’s-Lane, [1733]. ESTC No. T68219. Grub Street ID 292535.
  • Campbell, John. The polite correspondence: or, Rational amusement; being a series of letters, philosophical, poetical, historical, critical, amorous, moral, and satyrical. Wherein are introduc’d a great variety of instructive and delightful incidents, both in prose and verse. Among those of the entertaining kind, are, The Story of Alonzo and Elvira, - of Torquatus and Melissa - of Belinda and Adolphus. Remarkable story of a Scottish lady, - another of a divine who married a shrew. History of Sophronia, - of Phaon and Eliza - of Honoria and Myrtillo. - of Celadon. Adventures of a foot-boy. Pleasant story of a Romish monk, - of Pope Innocent XI: A strange story of a Turkish slave. An odd story of a criminal in the Inquisition, - Remarkable accident in a conclave. A short history of the Mounts of Piety, or legal lumber houses. Story of pretended magician at Naples, - an Indian Tale, &c. &c. Poetry. A Birth-day ode, - Verses on the power of love. - The bracelet, a poem, - Life, an elegiac poem, - Verses on hope, in the manner of Spencer. - An instance of British poetry. 1200 years old, - A specimen of Saxon poetry, - of Danish poetry, - and several specimens from various nations - Verses by a Jesuit on the death of his cat, - A poem in the manner of Phaedrus, &c. London: printed and sold by John Atkinson, in Lincoln’s-Inn; S. Birt, in Ave-Mary-Lane; John Hinton, in Pauls-Church-Yard; J. Marshall, in Newgate-Street; John Clark, in Duck-Lane; Geo. Strahan, in Cornhill; T. Harris, and J. Hodges, on London-Bridge; and T. Wright, in Exeter-Change. [between 1740 and 1743?]. ESTC No. T80864. Grub Street ID 301811.
  • An historical account of mandrakes, both male and female. With a particular account of those which Rachel long'd for. London: printed for H. Slater, in Clements Inn; F. Noble, at Otway's Head, St. Martin's-Court; T. Wright, at the Bible in Exeter-Exchange, Strand; J. Duncan, in St. Martin's-Court, St. Martin's-Lane, MDCCXLI. [1741]. ESTC No. T86894. Grub Street ID 306993.
  • Haywood, Eliza. The unfortunate princess, or, the ambitious statesman. Containing the life and surprizing adventures of the Princess of Ijaveo. Interspers'd with several curious and entertaining novels. By Mrs. Eliza Haywood. London: printed for T. Wright, 1741. ESTC No. N35413. Grub Street ID 23685.
  • Haywood, Eliza. The unfortunate princess, or, the ambitious statesman. Containing the life and surprizing adventures of the Princess of Ijaveo. Interspers'd with several curious and entertaining novels. By Mrs. Eliza Haywood. London: printed for T. Wright, at the Bible, in Exeter Exchange, in the Strand, 1741. ESTC No. N35414. Grub Street ID 23686.
  • Defoe, Daniel. Roxana: or, the fortunate mistress. Being a history of the life and vast variety of fortunes of Mademoiselle de Beleau. London: printed for H. Slater, in Clements Inn. F. Noble, at Otway's Head, St. Martins-Court. J. Rowlands, No. 13. in Exeter Exchange, Strand. T. Wright, at the Bible J. Duncan, in St. Martins-Court, St. Martins-Lane, MDCCXLII. [1742]. ESTC No. T199296. Grub Street ID 231484.
  • Ray, John. A compleat collection of English proverbs; also the most celebrated proverbs of the Scotch, Italian, French, Spanish, and other languages The Whole Methodically Digested and Illustrated with Annotations, and proper Explications. By the late Rev. and Learned J. Ray, M. A. And Fellow of the Royal Society, and Author of The Wisdom of God in the Creation. &c. &c. To which is added, (written by the same author) A collection of English words not generally used, With their Significations and Original in two Alphabetical Catalogues; the one, of such as are proper to the Northern, the other, to the Southern Counties. With an Account of the preparing and refining such Metals and Minerals as are found in England. London: printed for H. Slater, near Clare-Market; F. Noble, at Otway's Head in St. Martin's Court, near Leicester-Fields; W. and T. Payne, at Horace's Head, in Round-Court, opposite York-Buildings, in the Strand; T. Wright, at the Bible in Exeter-Exchange; and J. Duncan, in St. Martin's Court, near Leicester-Fields, MDCCXLII. [1742]. ESTC No. T88585. Grub Street ID 308541.
  • Crull, Jodocus. The antiquities of St. Peter's, or, the Abbey-Church of Westminster: containing The inscriptions and Epitaphs upon the Tombs and Grave-Stones; with the Lives, Marriages, and Issue of the most eminent Personages therein Reposited; and their Coats of Arms truly Emblazoned. In two volumes. Adorn'd with draughts of the tombs, curiously engraven. London: printed for S. Birt, in Ave-Mary Lane; J. Hodges, on London Bridge; F. Noble, in St. Martin's Court, St. Martin's Lane; T. Davis, Duke's Court, near the Meuse; and T. Wright, at the Bible, in Exeter Exchange, in the Strand, MDCCXLII. [1742]. ESTC No. T141303. Grub Street ID 188865.
  • Castiglione, Baldassare. Il cortegiano, or the courtier: written by the learned Conte Baldassar Castiglione, and a new version of the same into English. Together with his other celebrated pieces, as well Latin as Italian, both in prose and verse. To which is prefix'd The life of the author. By A. P. Castiglione, Gent. London: printed for H. Slater, in Clement's-Inn; F. Noble, at Otway's Head, in St. Martin's-Court, near Leicester-Fields; W. and T. Payne, at Horace's Head in Round-Court, opposite York-Buildings in the Strand; T. Wright, at the Bible, in Exeter-Exchange; and J. Duncan, in St. Martin's Court, near Leicester-Fields, MDCCXLII. [1742]. ESTC No. T160849. Grub Street ID 200131.
  • Locke, John. Familiar letters between Mr. John Locke, and several of his friends. In which are explain'd, his notions in his Essay concerning human understanding, and in some of his other works. The fourth edition. To which is added, the life and character of Mr. John Locke. London: printed for F. Noble, at Otway's Head in St. Martin's Court, near Leicester-Fields; T. Wright, at the Bible in Exeter-Exchange, Strand; and J. Duncan, in St. Martin's Court, near Leicester-Fields, MDCCXLII. [1742]. ESTC No. T130566. Grub Street ID 179659.
  • Colliber, Samuel. Columna rostrata: or, a history of the English sea-affairs. With an account of the most remarkable sea-fights, &c. between the English, French, Dutch, Spaniards, &c. Containing, among many other curious Particulars, the following: The Sea-Fight between Admiral Blake and Van Trump, the Dutch Admiral. Admiral Byng's Engagement with the Spanish Fleet off Sicily; with an Account of his hindering the Pretender's Landing in Scotland. An Account of the Dutch destroying several of our Men of War at Chatham. An Account of the taking and destroying the Spanish Galeons, by Admiral Blake, Sir George Rooke, and Sir Charles Wager. Sir John Norris's Expedition to Portugal. An Account of the taking Gibralter, by Sir George Rooke, and his Engagement with the French Fleet off Malaga. Sir Cloudsley Shovel's Naval Actions. With an Account of the Shipwreck in which he was lost. An Account of the taking Vigerus. With several others. By Samuel Colliber. London: printed for F. Noble, at Otway's Head, St. Martin's-Court; T. Wright, at the Bible in Exeter-Exchange, Strand; J. Duncan, in St. Martin's-Court, St. Martin's-Lane, MDCCXLII. [1742]. ESTC No. T106566. Grub Street ID 159714.
  • Memoirs of the life and character of Mr. John Locke. London: printed for F. Noble, at Orway's Head in St. Martin's Court, near Leicester-Fields; T. Wright, at the Bible in Exeter-Exchange, Strand; and J. Duncan, in St. Martin's Court, near Leicester-Fields, MDCCXLII. [1742]. ESTC No. T110275. Grub Street ID 162814.
  • Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de. Persiles and Sigismunda: a celebrated novel. Intermix'd with a great Variety of Delightful Histories And Entertaining Adventures. Written in Spanish Michael Author of Don Quixote. London: printed for Thomas Wright, Bookseller, at the Universal Circulating Library, in Exeter Court, near Exeter Change, in the Strand, MDCCXLV. [1745]. ESTC No. T60529. Grub Street ID 286380.

Printed by and for, or by/for and sold by Thomas Wright

  • Ladies delight: or, the merry songster. Containing a collection of above one hundred songs intirely new; none of which are contain'd in the Syren, Nightingale, Lark, Merry Companion, or any other collection. London: Printed and sold by T. Wright, at the Bible in Exeter-Exchange, in the Strand, MDCCXLI. [1741]. ESTC No. N63449. Grub Street ID 45617.

Author

  • Wright, Thomas. A catalogue of a curious and valuable collection of books: chiefly history, memoirs, lives, voyages and travels, romances, novels, &c. several of which are not to be met with, but in libraries of the curious, which are to be sold, or lent to read, either by the single book, week or quarter, at reasonable rates. By Thomas Wright, bookseller at the Bible, in Exeter-Exchange, in the Strand. Where most money is given for any library or parcel of books, or books exchang’d. [London : Thomas Wright, bookseller at the Bible, in Exeter-Exchange, in the Strand, between 1741 and 1745?]. ESTC No. T476241. Grub Street ID 359234.