Publications of N. N.

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 N. N.

  • Boydell, Tho. Medicaster exenteratus, or the quack's pourtrait. A poem. By Tho. Boydell, Philomed. London: printed by N. N. for the author, MDCCXIV. [1714]. ESTC No. T222964. Grub Street ID 245681.

Author

  • N., N.. A treatise concerning estates tayle, and discents of inheritance. Written by N.N. and published by I. Sherman, of Lincolnes Inne: Gen. London: printed for Iohn Grove, and are to be sold at his shop in Chancery Lane, over against the Subpæna office, 1641. ESTC No. R32142. Grub Street ID 114885.
  • N., N.. The scarlet gown, or the history of all the present cardinals of Rome. Wherein is set forth the life, birth, interest, possibility, rich offices, dignities, and charges of every cardinal now living. Also their merits, vertures, and vices; together with the cariage of the Pope and court of Rome. Written originally in Italian, and translated into English by H.C. Gent. London: printed for Humphrey Moseley, and are to be sold at his shop at the Prince's Armes in St Paul's Church-yard, 1653. ESTC No. R202993. Grub Street ID 80151.
  • N., N.. America: or An exact description of the West-Indies: more especially of those provinces which are under the dominion of the King of Spain. Faithfully represented by N.N. Gent. London: printed by Ric. Hodgkinsonne for Edw. Dod, and are to be sold at the Gun in Ivy-lane, 1655. ESTC No. R209078. Grub Street ID 85295.
  • N., N.. America: or An exact description of the West-Indies: more especially of those provinces which are under the dominion of the King of Spain. Faithfully represented by N.N. gent. London: printed by R. H[odgkinson] for Edw. Dod, and are to be sold at the Gun in Ivy-lane, 1657. ESTC No. R224357. Grub Street ID 98016.
  • N., N.. The scarlet gown: or the history of all the present cardinals of Rome. Wherein is set forth the life, birth, and interest, possibility, rich offices, dignities, and charges of every cardinall now living. Also their merits, vertues, and vices: together with the carriages of every of the Popes and court of Rome. Whereunto is added, the Life of the present Pope Alexander the seventh. Written originally in Italian, and translated into English by H. C. Gent. London: printed for Humphrey Moseley, at the Prince's Armes i St Paul's Church-yard, 1660. ESTC No. R209657. Grub Street ID 85888.
  • N., N.. A narrative of all the proceedings in the drayning of the great level of the Fenns, extending into the counties of Northton. Lincoln, Norffolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, and Huntington, and the Isle of Ely; from the time of Queen Elizabeth untill this present May, 1661. For th information of all concerned. By N.N. London: printed by A.W. for the use of the author, 1661. ESTC No. R41533. Grub Street ID 123139.
  • N., N.. A brief account, and seasonable improvement of the late earthquake in Northampton-shire, Jan. 4, 1675/6 in a letter to a friend in London. [London: Printed for Nathaniel Ponder .., 1675/6]. ESTC No. R17290. Grub Street ID 66640.
  • N., N.. A threefold alphabet of rules, concerning Christian-practice the first precept of each letter concerning our duty toward God, the second towards our neighbour, the third towards our selves. London: Printed for John Kidgell .., 1681. ESTC No. R39718. Grub Street ID 121595.
  • N., N.. An account of the defeat of Count Teckely, and of his being slain. Together with a total rout, given to the Turkish army, by the united forces of the Christian Emperour and the King of Poland. London: printed by E. Mallet, [1683]. ESTC No. R8991. Grub Street ID 129114.
  • N., N.. The Catholick answer to the seekers request: in a letter directed to the seeker, proving the real presence, by the Scripture only. London: printed for John and Thomas Lane at the corner of Wild-street, near Duke-street, 1687. ESTC No. R232393. Grub Street ID 104201.
  • N., N.. The Catholick answer to the seekers request: in a letter directed to the seeker, proving the real presence, by the Scripture only. London: printed for John and Thomas Lane at the sign of the Golden-Anchor at the corner of Wild-street, nexr [sic] Duke-street, 1687. ESTC No. R43473. Grub Street ID 124450.
  • N., N.. The Catholick answer to the seekers request in a letter directed to the seeker, proving the Real Presence by the Scripture only. [Edinburgh]: Re-Printed at Holy-Rood-House, 1687. ESTC No. R41316. Grub Street ID 122966.
  • N., N.. The Catholick answer to the seekers request in a letter directed to the seeker, proving the real presence, by the Scripture only:. [Edinburgh]: Re-printed at Holy-Rood-House, 1687. ESTC No. R227731. Grub Street ID 100596.
  • N., N.. The expedition of his Highness the Prince of Orange for England. Giving an account of the most remarkable passages thereof, from the day of his setting sail from Holland, to the first day of this instant December, 1688. In a letter to a person of quality. [[London]: Printed for T.W. and are to be sold by the book-sellers of London, 1688]. ESTC No. R14211. Grub Street ID 62257.
  • N., N.. The Catholick letter to the seeker: or, A reply to the Protestant answer. Shewing, that Catholicks have express Scriptures, for believing the real presence; and, that Protestants have none at all, for denying it. Published with allowance. London: printed for John Lane, at the Golden-Anchor, the corner shop of Wilde-Street, next Duke-Street, 1688. ESTC No. R9655. Grub Street ID 129718.
  • N., N.. A letter to a member of Parliament, in favour of the bill for uniting Protestants. By a Divine of the Church of England. London: printed, and are to be sold by Randal Taylor, near Stationers-Hall, 1689. ESTC No. R203904. Grub Street ID 80957.
  • N., N.. A letter to a member of Parliament, in favour of the bill for uniting Protestants. London: printed, and are to be sold by Randal Taylor, near Stationers-Hall, 1689. ESTC No. R10674. Grub Street ID 59020.
  • N., N.. A short account of the present state of New-England, Anno Domini 1690. [London?: s.n, 1690]. ESTC No. R20012. Grub Street ID 77667.
  • N., N.. An account of the lives and behaviour of the three French prophets, lately come out of the Cevennes and Languedoc; And of the Proceedings of the Consistory of the Savoy, In Relation to them. Wherein also several of the Affidavits in the Cry from the Desert are briefly consider'd. Part I. London: printed for J. Morphew near Stationers-Hall, 1708. ESTC No. T18795. Grub Street ID 223806.
  • N., N.. A letter to the Reverend the Dean of Chichester, on occasion of some passages in his thanksgiving-sermon before the House of Commons, on June the 7th, 1716. London: printed for E. Matthews, and sold by J. Harrison, and A. Boulter, 1716. ESTC No. T169921. Grub Street ID 207688.
  • N., N.. The lay-man's antidote against the heretical notions of Mr. Whiston, Dr. Clarke, and other modern enthusiasts, who are for destroying the Church, under a pretence of reformation. ... Very proper to be consulted by the readers of the present controversy between Dr. Snape and the Bishop of Bangor. London: printed for S. Baker, [1717?]. ESTC No. T82018. Grub Street ID 302638.
  • N., N.. Three letters: viz. I. Upon the subject of the full power given Baron Gortz by the King of Sweden; and upon the Pretence of his being a Publick Minister. II. Upon the subject of the arresting of Baron Gortz. III. Upon the arresting of Count Gyllemborg. Translated from the original printed at the Hague. To which is subjoin'd, The pretended full power of Baron Gortz. In Latin and English. London: printed for J. Roberts, near the Oxford-Arms in Warwick-Lane, [1717]. ESTC No. T81021. Grub Street ID 301879.
  • N., N.. Truth is but truth, as it is timed! Or, our ministry's present measures against the Muscovite vindicated by plain and obvious reasons; tending to prove, that it is no less the interest of our British trade, than that of our state, that the Czar be not suffer'd to retain a fleet, ... extracted from a representation ... given in to the Secretary of State by N. N. on his return ... from the Court of Muscovy, in August 1715. ... London: printed for T. Bickerton, 1719. ESTC No. N34543. Grub Street ID 22908.
  • N., N.. An account of Dr. Quincy's Examination of Dr. Woodward's State of physick and diseases. In a letter to the Free-Thinker. London: printed: and sold by J. Roberts in Warwick-Lane, and A. Dodd at the Peacock without Temble-Bar, 1719. ESTC No. T18916. Grub Street ID 224733.
  • N., N.. A letter from a friend to the Right Honourable ----. Dublin: printed in the year, 1724. ESTC No. T160450. Grub Street ID 199914.
  • N., N.. Awakening calls to early piety. Boston: Printed & sold by Kneeland & Green over against the prison in QueenStreet, 1738. ESTC No. W34065. Grub Street ID 344665.
  • N., N.. Lettres interressantes sur la conduite des Hollandois, ecrite [sic] par un des Etats generaux a un membre du parlement de la Grande-Bretagne, ou l'on examine l'affaire de la barriere, les secours qu'on donne à la Reine d'Hongrie, & le cas de la succession d'Ost-Frise traduit de l'anglois. Londres: chés Joseph Collyer, 1744. ESTC No. T177435. Grub Street ID 214374.
  • N., N.. Kurtze Verteidigung der lautern Wahrheit gegen die so genannte unterschiedliche christliche Wahrheiten, welche der Buchdrucker C.S. in Germantown ohnlängst ausgetreuet. Vorgestellet in einem Brief von einem 3ten Handwerksmann in Philadelphia an seinem Freund in Lande geschrieben, und welche beyde Wahrheiten der Author dieses Briefs denen verständigen Teutschen zu Beurtheilung in Druck vorleget. [Four lines of quotations]. [Philadelphia: Gedruckt bey Gotthard Armbrüster?], Gedruckt im Jahr 1748. ESTC No. W18794. Grub Street ID 328409.
  • N., N.. Some reflections on the law of bankruptcy: wrote at the desire of a friend: shewing, that such a law would be beneficial to the publick, and analogous to reason and our holy religion. And by him humbly recommended to the consideration of the publick. New-Haven: Printed by James Parker, at the post-office, 1755. ESTC No. W24291. Grub Street ID 334249.
  • N., N.. Presbyters and deacons not commissioned to preach without the Bishop's allowance, a discourse addressed to a certain Methodist clergyman. London: printed for W. Nicholl, in St. Paul's Church-Yard, and may be had at all the Pamphlet Shops, [1761]. ESTC No. T180092. Grub Street ID 216766.
  • N., N.. Directions for a proper choice of authors to form a library, which may both improve and entertain the mind, and be of real use in the conduct of life. Intended for Those Readers who are only acquainted with the English Language. With A Correct list of Proper Books on the several Subjects. London: printed for J. Whiston, at Mr. Boyle's Head, in Fleet-Street; and sold by J. Dodsley in Pall-Mall, and J. Robson in New Bond-Street, MDCCLXVI. [1766]. ESTC No. T31862. Grub Street ID 262633.
  • N., N.. An account of the life of Muley Liezit, late Emperor of Morocco. Written by a Spanish agent at the Moorish court. ... Translated from the original French. To which is prefixed, a short review of the Moorish history, ... By Robert Heron. [London]: printed for D. Ogilvy & Son, London, 1797. ESTC No. T229619. Grub Street ID 249492.
  • N., N.. An account of the life of Muley Liezit, late Emperor of Morocco. Written by a Spanish agent at the Moorish court. Who witnessed the events of Liezit's Reign, and who, by his intrigues, accomplished that Emperor's fall. Translated from the original French. To which is prefixed, a Short Review of the Moorish History, from the earliest times, to the Accession of Muley Liezit; with a Philosophical inquiry into the Causes which have hitherto recorded the Civilization of the Moors. By Robert Heron. Edinburgh: printed for R. Morison & Son, Perth, 1797. ESTC No. T55719. Grub Street ID 282278.
  • N., N.. Cinna. A new serious opera, in two acts, as represented at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket. The music entirely new, and composed by Mr. Bianchi. Part of the poetry by N.N. and the greatest part by Da Ponte. ... [London]: Printed by E. Jackson, [1798]. ESTC No. T90001. Grub Street ID 309854.