Publications of John Nichols

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 John Nichols

  • Nairne, Edward. An account of some experiments made with an air-pump on Mr. Smeaton's principle; together with some experiments with a common air-pump. By Mr. Edward Nairne, F.R.S. Read at the Royal Society, June 12, 1777. London: printed by J. Nichols (successor to Mr. Bowyer), 1777. ESTC No. N16013. Grub Street ID 5716.
  • Lowth, Robert. Isaiah. A new translation; with a preliminary dissertation, and notes critical, philological, and explanatory. By Robert Lowth, D. D. F. R. SS. Lond. And Goetting. Lord Bishop of London. London: printed by J. Nichols; for J. Dodsley in Pall-Mall, and T. Cadell in the Strand, MDCCLXXVIII. [1778]. ESTC No. T144005. Grub Street ID 359293.
  • Mourelle de la Rúa, Francisco Antonio. Journal of a voyage in 1775. To explore the coast of America, Northward of California, By the second Pilot of the Fleet, Don Francisco Antonio Maurelle, in the King's Schooner, called the Sonora, and commanded by Don Juan Francisco de la Bodega. [London?: printed by John Nichols?, 1780?]. ESTC No. T11203. Grub Street ID 164081.
  • Collection for the history of Worcestershire. ... [London]: Printed by John Nichols. Sold by T. Payne and son, J. Robson, B. White, Leigh and Sotheby, London: Fletcher at Oxford, and Lewis at Worcester, 1781. ESTC No. N63874. Grub Street ID 45971.
  • Cavallo, Tiberius. Description of an improved air-pump, and the account of some experiments made with it. By Mr. Tiberius Cavallo, F.R.S. Read at the Royal Society, July 3, 1783. London: printed by J, Nichols, 1784. ESTC No. T232070. Grub Street ID 257323.
  • The nautical almanac and astronomical ephemeris, for the year 1785. Published by order of the Commissioners of Longitude. London: printed by John Nichols; and sold by Peter Elmsly, 1784. ESTC No. N10212. Grub Street ID 215.
  • Grant, Alexander. Observations on the use of opium in removing symptoms supposed to be owing to morbid irritability. By Alexander Grant, Senior Surgeon of his Majesty's Military Hospitals During the late War in North America. London: printed by J. Nichols, for the author, MDCCLXXXV. [1785]. ESTC No. N10080. Grub Street ID 92.
  • Pratt. The triumph of benevolence; occasioned by the national design of erecting a monument to John Howard, Esq. London: printed by J. Nichols, Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street; sold by Messrs. J. Dodsley, J. Robson, T. Cadell, P. Elmsly, and C. Dilly; by Mr. Prince at Oxford; and Mr. Merrill at Cambridge, MDCCLXXXVI. [1786]. ESTC No. T51741. Grub Street ID 278954.
  • Young, William. Observations preliminary to a proposed amendment of the poor laws. Addressed to the members of the two Houses of Parliament. By William Young, ... London: printed by John Nichols: for J. Robson and W. Clarke, 1788. ESTC No. T11238. Grub Street ID 164373.
  • Camden, William. Britannia: or, a chorographical description of the flourishing kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the islands adjacent; from the earliest antiquity. By William Camden. Translated from the edition published by the author in MDCVII. Enlarged by the latest discoveries, by Richard Gough, F. A. & R. SS. In three volumes. Illustrated with maps, and other copper-plates. Volume The First. London: printed by John Nichols, for T. Payne and Son, Castle-Street, ST. Martin's; and G. G. J. and J. Robinson, Pater-Noster-Row, MDCCI.XXXIX. [1789]. ESTC No. N15693. Grub Street ID 5392.
  • An affectionate address to candidates for holy orders, and to the younger part of the clergy. London: printed by J. Nichols: for G. G. J. and J. Robinson, Paternoster-Row, MDCCLXXXIX. [1789]. ESTC No. N15994. Grub Street ID 5695.
  • Horsley, Samuel. On the principle of vitality in man, as described in the Holy Scriptures, and the difference between true and apparent death. A sermon, preached in the parish church of St. Andrew in Holborn, ... March 22, 1789, for the benefit of the Royal Humane Society, by Samuel, Lord Bishop of St. David's. London: printed by J. Nichols; and sold by J. Rivington and Sons; J. Robson, and C. Dilly; T. Cadell; W. Clarke, and T. Hookham, 1789. ESTC No. N10897. Grub Street ID 883.
  • Lounger's miscellany; or The Lucubrations of Abel Slug, Esq. London [England]: printed by J[ohn]. Nichols, for T[homas]. and J[ohn]. Egerton, Military Library, Whitehall. Sold also by C.S. Rann, Oxford, MDCCLXXXIX. [1789]. ESTC No. P2055. Grub Street ID 55774.
  • Hutton, William. The history of Derby; from the remote ages of antiquity, to the year MDCCXCI. ... By W. Hutton, ... London: printed by J. Nichols; and sold by G. G. Robinson; John Drewry, at Derby; and Thomas Pearson, at Birmingham, 1791. ESTC No. T53080. Grub Street ID 280074.
  • Henry. The will of King Henry the Eighth. From an authentic copy, in the hands of an attorney. London: printed by J. Nichols. Sold by J. Pridden, 1793. ESTC No. T118002. Grub Street ID 169570.
  • Transactions of the Royal Humane Society; dedicated by permission to His Majesty by W. Hawes, M. D. Senior Physician to the Surry and London Dispensaries. Honorary Member of the R.P.S. Ed. Massachusetts H.S. - Manchester L.P.S. &c. Vol.1. [London]: Printed by Jno. Nichols and sold for the Society by Rivingtons, Dilly, Johnson & Hookham, [1795]. ESTC No. T51579. Grub Street ID 278800.
  • Wyatt, Lewis William. Dedicated, by permission, to the Right Hon. Lord Penrhyn. London, [blank] 1800. A collection of architectural designs, rural and ornamental. Executed in a variety of buildings, upon the estates of the Right Hon. Lord Penrhyn, in Carnarvonshire and Cheshire. Accurately delineated by Lewis W. Wyatt. The whole to be illustrated by thirty original designs of cottages, farm-houses, lodges, inns, villas, &c. &c. to be comprised in ten numbers quarto, one in every two months, with letter-press description, and two perspective views, elegantly engraved by James Basire. Price to subscribers 3s. 6d. per number, on royal quarto. Proof impressions, on imperial paper, 5s. per number. London: published for the editor, by J. Taylor, at the Architectural Library ... [R. Faulder, and Vernor and Hood]. Printed by John Nichols ..., 1800. ESTC No. N72312. Grub Street ID 52099.

Sold by John Nichols

  • The speech of the Speaker of the House of Commons, on Friday, May 26, 1786: upon presenting to His Majesty the bill for ... the reduction of the national debt, which then received the Royal Assent. London: printed and sold by John Nichols: sold also by Charles Bathurst; Lockyer Davis; and Benjamin White, 1786. ESTC No. T135814. Grub Street ID 184177.

Printed for John Nichols

  • Authentic minutes of the debate in the Irish House of Commons, on the 20th of December, 1779, on receiving the resolutions of the British House of Commons for granting to Ireland a free trade. To which are added, the speeches of some noble Lords, spoken on the same occasion, the day following. London: printed for J. Nichols: sold by H. Payne, Pall-Mall; C. Dilly, Poultry; and N. Conant, Fleetstreet, MDCCLXXX. [1780]. ESTC No. N15978. Grub Street ID 5679.
  • Sherlock, Martin. Letters from an English traveller Martin Sherlock, Esq. Translated from the French original printed at Geneva and Paris. With notes. London: printed for J. Nichols, T. Cadell, P. Elmsly, H. Payne, and N. Conant, MDCCLXXX. [1780]. ESTC No. N18910. Grub Street ID 8340.
  • Mason, William. An archaeological epistle to the Reverend and Worshipful Jeremiah Milles, D. D. Dean Of Exeter, President Of The Society Of Antiquaries, And editor of a superb edition of the poems of Thomas Rowley, priest: To which is annexed a glossary, extracted from that of the learned dean. London: printed for J. Nichols; and sold by J. Walter, Charing-Cross; R. Faulder, New Bond Street; B. Law, Ave-Maria Lane; E. Newbery, Ludgate Street; and J. Sewell, Cornhill, MDCCLXXXII. [1782]. ESTC No. N15887. Grub Street ID 5587.
  • An history of the manor, and manor-house, of South Winfield, in Derbyshire. By Tho. Blore, ... London: printed for J. Nichols. And sold also by J. Sewell; B. and J. White; R. Faulder; and T. and J. Egerton, 1793. ESTC No. T69231. Grub Street ID 293248.

Author

  • Nichols, John. The buds of Parnassus: a collection of original poems. Containing, An ode to scandal. ... and An epistle to George Onslow, Esq. on his spirited answer to the thanks given him by his constituents. London: printed for J. Wilkie, 1763. ESTC No. T232322. Grub Street ID 257449.
  • Nichols, John. Islington: a poem. Addressed to Mr. Benjamin Stapp. To which are subjoined several other poetical essays by the same author. London: printed by W. Hoggard: and sold by W. Flexney, 1763. ESTC No. T197114. Grub Street ID 230321.
  • Nichols, John. The buds of Parnassus: a collection of original poems. Containing, An ode to scandal. ... The second edition. To which are now prefixed, by desire, An epistle to the Prince of Brunswick. ... London: printed for J. Wilkie, 1764. ESTC No. N63817. Grub Street ID 45918.
  • Nichols, John. Biographical anecdotes of William Hogarth; and a catalogue of his works chronologically arranged; with occasional remarks. London: printed by and for J. Nichols, MDCCLXXXI. [1781]. ESTC No. T1742. Grub Street ID 211294.
  • Nichols, John. Supplement to The origin of printing. 1781. [London: printed for W. Bowyer and J. Nichols, 1781]. ESTC No. T13084. Grub Street ID 179914.
  • Nichols, John. Biographical anecdotes of William Hogarth; with a catalogue of his works chronologically arranged; and occasional remarks. London: printed by and for J. Nichols, 1782. ESTC No. T125514. Grub Street ID 175648.
  • Nichols, John. Biographical and literary anecdotes of William Bowyer, Printer, F. S. A. and of many of his learned friends. Containing an incidental view of the progress and advancement of literature in this kingdom from the beginning of the present century to the end of the year MDCCLXXVII. By John Nichols, his apprentice, partner, and successor. London: printed by and for the author, MDCCLXXXII. [1782]. ESTC No. T58716. Grub Street ID 284812.
  • Nichols, John. Biographical anecdotes of William Hogarth; with a catalogue of his works chronologically arranged; and occasional remarks. London: printed by and for John Nichols, in Red-Lion-Passage, Fleet-Street, MDCCLXXXV. [1785]. ESTC No. T56097. Grub Street ID 282646.
  • Nichols, John. The progresses, and public processions, of Queen Elizabeth. Among which are interspersed. Other solemnities, public expenditures, and remarkable events, during the reign of that Illustrious Princess. Now first printed from original Mss. of the times; or collected from scarce pamphlets, &c. Illustrated with historical notes, By John Nichols, F. S. A. Edinb. and Perth. Volume I. [London]: Printed by and for the editor, printer to the Society of Antiquaries of London, MDCCLXXXVIII. [1788]. ESTC No. T56122. Grub Street ID 282672.
  • Nichols, John. The trial of John and Nathan Nichols, (father and son) for the wilful murder of Sarah Nichols, daughter of the former, and sister of the latter; at the Lent assizes 1794, holden at Bury St. Edmund'e [sic], before Sir William Henry Ashhurst, knt. Taken in court, and published by permission of the judge. Bury St. Edmund's: printed by and for P. Gedge, and J. Rackham: and sold by Messrs. Robinson, Pater Noster Row; Richardson and Axtell, Royal Exchange, London; and all other booksellers in the kingdom [1794]. ESTC No. T226741. Grub Street ID 248202.
  • Nichols, John. The history and antiquities of the county of Leicester. Compiled from the Best and Most Antient Historians; Inquisitiones Post Mortem, and other Valuable Records, in the Tower, Rolls, Exchequer, Dutchy, and Augmentation Offices; the Registers of the Diocese of Lincoln; the Chartularies and Registers of Religious Houses; the College of Arms; the British Museum; the Libraries of Oxford and Cambridge; and other Public and Private Repositories. Including also Mr. Burton's Description of the County, Published in 1622; and the Later Collections of Mr. Staveley, Mr. Carte, Mr. Peck, and Sir Thomas Cave. By John Nichols, F. S. A. Edinb. & Perth. In four volumes. London: printed by and for John Nichols, Printer to the Society of Antiquaries, MDCCXCV. [1795]-1815. ESTC No. T79078. Grub Street ID 300744.
  • Nichols, John. Illustrations of the manners and expences of antient times in England, in the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth centuries, deduced from the accompts of churchwardens, and other authentic documents, Collected from Various Parts of the Kingdom, with explanatory notes. London: printed by and for John Nichols, Printer to the Society of Antiquaries, MDCCXCVII. [1797]. ESTC No. T78303. Grub Street ID 300167.