Publications of W. P.

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. P.

  • The dancing-master: or, directions for dancing country dances, with the tunes to each dance, for the treble-violin. [London]: Printed by W. P. [W. Pearson] and sold by J. Young at the Dolphin and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard; and J. Cullen at the Buck within Temple-Bar, 1706. ESTC No. N30057. Grub Street ID 19044.

Author

  • P., W.. The prentises practise in godlinesse, and his true freedome. Diuided into ten chapters. Written by W.P. London: printed by George Eld, for Robert Wilson: and are to bee sold at his shop at the new gate neere Grayes Inne, 1613. ESTC No. S94570. Grub Street ID 152787.
  • P., W.. The last true newes from Ireland, being the copie of a letter sent from Dublin, to a gentleman of good ranke, and now resident in this city. Wherein is declared many great overthrowes and defeates given to the rebels. Likewise the manner how a great castle called Carrick Mayne (within 6. myles of Dublin) was taken by the English, and the rebels put to death, man, woman, and child. Also a true intelligence that the rebels are beaten by Sir Henry Titchburne out of Dundalke. London: printed for T.F., 1642. ESTC No. R221388. Grub Street ID 95550.
  • P., W.. The peace-maker, or, a brief motive to unity and charitie in religion. By W.P. D.D. London: printed by T.W. for John Place, and are to be sold at his shop at Furnifals-Inne gate, 1652. ESTC No. R209452. Grub Street ID 85683.
  • P., W.. The use of a mathematical instrument, called a quadrant. Shewing very plainly and easily to know the exact height or distance of any steeple, tree, or house, &c. Also to know the hour of the day by it: the height of the sun, moon, or stars: and to know the time of sun-rising, and setting; and the length of every day in the year: the place of the sun in the ecliptick: the azimuth, right ascension, and declination of the sun. With many other necessary and delightful conclusions. Performed very readily. Written by [W.P.]. [London]: The quadrants and these books, are to be sold by Joseph Moxon, at his shop in Corn-hill at the sign of Atlas, in London, 1655. ESTC No. R220319. Grub Street ID 94713.
  • P., W.. The use of the nocturnal. Written by W.P. [London]: The nocturnals and these books, are to be sold by Joseph Moxon, at his shop in Corn-hill, at the sign of Atlas, in London, 1655. ESTC No. R220321. Grub Street ID 94715.
  • P., W.. Sound doctrine, or, The doctrine of the Gospel about the extent of the death of Christ being a reply to Mr. Paul Hobson's pretended answer to the author's Fourteen queries and ten absurdities : with a brief and methodicall compendium of the doctrine of the Holy Scriptures ... : also of election and reprobation ... : whereunto is added the fourteen queries and ten absurdities pretended to be answered by Mr. Paul Hobson, but are wholly omitted in his book. London: Printed for Richard Moon .., 1657. ESTC No. R30088. Grub Street ID 112986.
  • P., W.. The use of a mathematical instrument, called a quadrant: shewing very plainly and easily to know the exact height or distance of any steeple, tree, or house, &c. Also to know the hour of the day by it: the height of the sun, moon, or stars: and to know the time of sun-rising, and setting; and the length of every day in the year: the place of the sun in the ecliptick: the azimuth, right ascension, and declination of the sun. With many other necessary and delightfull conclusions. Performed very readily. As also the use of a nocturnal whereby you may learn to know the stars in heaven, and the hour of the night, by them. With many other delightfull operations. The second edition, wherein the mistakes in the former impression are corrected. By W.P. [London]: The quadrants, nocturnals, and these books, are to be sold by Joseph Moxon, at his shop in Corn-hill, at the signe of Atlas, in London, 1659. ESTC No. R220696. Grub Street ID 94996.
  • P., W.. A jewell of earthly joy. Or, familie observations. Directing all true-hearted Christians to the keeping of the commandements of God. By W.P. Very usefull for all Christian families to be read and taught to their children and servants. Dedicated to all that desire to live in the feare of God; shewing their duty to God and man, so much neglected in these latter and worser dayes of sinne and disobedience. London: printed by T.F. for Fr. Coles, and are to be sold at the signe of the Lambe in the the Old Baily, 1660. ESTC No. R210365. Grub Street ID 86540.
  • P., W.. The use of a mathematical instrument, called a quadrant. Shewing very plainly and easily to know the exact height or distance of any steeple, tree, or house, &c. Also to know the hour of the day by it: the height of the sun, moon, or stars: and to know the time of sun-rising and setting; and the length of every day in the year: the place of the sun in the ecliptick: the azimuth, right ascension, and declination of the sun. With many other necessary and delightful conclusions. Performed very readily. As also the use of a nocturnal: whereby you may learn to know the stars in heaven, and the hour of the night, by them. With many other delightful operations. The third edition, wherein the mistakes in the former impressions are corrected. By W.P. [London]: The quadrants, nocturnals, and this book, are to be sold by Joseph Moxon, at his shop on Ludgate hill near Fleet-bridge, at the sign of Atlas in London, 1665. ESTC No. R220320. Grub Street ID 94714.
  • P., W.. The use of a mathematical instrument, called a quadrant. Shewing very plainly and easily to know the exact height or distance of any steeple, tree, or house, &c. Also to know the hour of the day by it: the height of the sun, moon, or stars: and to know the time of sun-rising and setting; and the length of every day in the year: the place of the sun in the ecliptick: the azimuth, right ascension, and declination of the sun. With many other necessary and delightful conclusions. Performed very readily. As also the use of a nocturnal: whereby you may learn to know the stars in heaven, and the hour of the night, by them. With many other delightful operations. The fourth edition, wherein the mistakes in the former impressions are corrected. By W.P. [London]: The quadrants, nocturnals, and this book, are printed and sold by Joseph Moxon, at his shop in Russel street at the sign of Atlas, 1670. ESTC No. R203098. Grub Street ID 80235.
  • P., W.. The use of a mathematical instrument, called a quadrant. Shewing very plainly and easily to know the exact height or distance of any steeple, tree, or house, &c. Also to know the hour of the day by it: the height of the sun, moon, or stars: and to know the time of sun-rising and setting; and the length of every day in the year: the place of the sun in the ecliptick: the azimuth, right ascension, and declination of the sun. With many other necessary and delightful conclusions. Performed very readily. As also the use of a nocturnal: whereby you may learn to know the stars in Heaven, and the hour of the night, by them. With many other delightful operations. The fourth edition, wherein the mistakes in the former impression are corrected. [London]: The quadrants, nocturnals, both large and for the pocket, and this book, are to be sold by Joseph Moxon, at his shop at the sign of Atlas on Ludgate-hill near Fleet-bridge, London, 1677. ESTC No. R187012. Grub Street ID 75450.
  • P., W.. The Quakers advice to the Presbyterians. Or Their evil practises against the now established government, being friendly admonitions to exhort them to loyalty and obedience. Written by an eminent Quaker, and sent in a letter to a gentleman of the black cloak. By W.P. [London]: Printed for W.B., 1681. ESTC No. R30078. Grub Street ID 112977.
  • P., W.. The Quakers elegy on the death of Charles late King of England. Written by W.P. a sincere lover of Charles and James. [London: printed by J[ohn]. P[layford]. for Henry Playford, near the Temple-Church, 1685]. ESTC No. R30095. Grub Street ID 112992.
  • P., W.. The Quakers elegy on the death of Charles late King of England, written by VV.P. a sincere lover of Charles and James. Dublin: printed by Andrew Crook and Samuel Helsham; and are to be sold by Samuel Helsham at the Colledg-Arms in Castle-Street, 1685. ESTC No. R232363. Grub Street ID 104175.
  • P., W.. Proteus ecclesiasticus: or, Observations on Dr. Sh---'s late case of allegiance, &c. in a letter to Mr. P.W. merchant in London. London: printed for Jos. Hindmarsh, at the Golden Ball, over-against the Royal Exchange in Cornhil, 1691. ESTC No. R24480. Grub Street ID 108266.
  • P., W.. A dialogue between the flag of St. Martin's steeple, and the standard at the Tower. London: printed by D.E. and sold by A. Baldwin, near the Oxford Arms in Warwick-Lane, MDCXCVIII. [1698]. ESTC No. R217464. Grub Street ID 92251.
  • P., W.. A brief epistle to Henry Sacheverel, the high-flying doctor. In behalf of the peaceable people called Quakers, whom he damns by wholesale. In a sermon (as he calls it) preach'd at Paul's [sic], November. 5. 1709. By W. P. London: printed for T. King, [1709]. ESTC No. T168454. Grub Street ID 206366.
  • P., W.. The saints rich treasure. Containing first, a view of the happy state of believers. II. The voice of the believer. III. The believer compares all things with Christ, and sees them but Empty and Vain, in comparison of Him. IV. A short view of the miserable state of unbelievers. By W.P. Edinburgh: printed by John Moncur, and sold at his printing-house on the North-Side of the Street opposite to the head of Fosters-Wynd, at the Sign of the Scots Arms, 1717. ESTC No. T96052. Grub Street ID 315537.
  • P., W.. The use of the mathematical instrument, called a quadrant with which plainly and easily to know the exact height and distance of any steeple, tree, or house, ... London: printed for Dan. Midwinter and A. Ward, 1731. ESTC No. T78182. Grub Street ID 300064.
  • P., W.. The history of witches and wizards: giving a true account of all their tryals in England, Scotland, Sweedland, France and New England; with their confession and codemnation. Collected from Bishop Hall, Bishop Morton, Sir Matthew Hale, Dr. Glanvil, Mr. Emlin, Dr. Horneck, Dr. Tilson, Mr. Baxter, Mr. Hodges, Corn. Agrippa. By W. P. London: printed for C. Hitch and L. Haws, at the Red Lion in Paternoster Row; and R. Ware at the Bible and Sun, Ludgate Hill; H. Woodgate and S. Brook in Paternoster Row; S. Crowder, in Paternoster Row, [1760?]. ESTC No. T92781. Grub Street ID 312527.
  • P., W.. A letter from a gentleman at Elizabeth-Town, to his friend in New-York. Philadelphia: Printed by Andrew Steuart, MDCCLXIV. [1764]. ESTC No. W17034. Grub Street ID 326550.
  • P., W.. The foundation of British liberty; proving the indisputable right of every Englishman to the common laws of the Land, for the Protection of his Person and Property: in a letter from a gentleman in the country to his friend in London. London: printed for T. Peat, at No 22, near St. Dunstan's Church, Fleet-Street, MDCCLXVIII. [1768]. ESTC No. N32326. Grub Street ID 21027.
  • P., W.. Forestallers and engrossers detected: with a plan for restoring plenty once more to old England! Address'd to the inhabitants of Great-Britain. London: printed and sold by R. Hawes, at No 7. the Corner of Windsor-Street, Bishopsgate-Without, 1772. Sold also by Messrs. Hawes, Clarke and Collins, Booksellers in Pater-Noster-Row: W. Domville, under the Royal-Exchange; W. Otridge, behind the New Church in the Strand; W. Davies, in Peccadilly: and S. West, No 316. in the Borough, [1772]. ESTC No. T40022. Grub Street ID 269163.