Publications of John Graves

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).

Sold by John Graves

  • Salmon, Thomas. Modern history: or, The present state of all nations. By Mr. Salmon. No. XLIII. For the month of December. Being a continuation of the description of Germany; particularly of the circles of the Upper and Lower Saxony, Swabia, &c. London: printed for James Crokatt at the Golden Key, near the Inner-Temple-Gate in Fleet-Street; and sold by J. Graves in St. James’s-Street, J. Jackson in Pall-Mall near St. James’s House, C. King in Westminster-Hall, C. Rivington in St. Paul’s Church-Yard, J. Brotherton at the Bible, and J. Clarke under the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, 1728. ESTC No. N510783. Grub Street ID 359230.

Printed for John Graves

  • Norton, Frances. Memento mori: or, meditations on death. By the Lady Norton. London: printed for John Graves, 1705. ESTC No. N22054. Grub Street ID 11416.
  • The prince's cabala: or mysteries of state. Written by King James the First, and some noblemen in his reign, and in Queen Elizabeth's. With Isocrates's discourse to a prince, on kingly government. Translated from the Greek. London: printed for R. Smith and G. Strahan at the Royal Exchange, J. Brown without Temple-Bar, J. Graves next Whites's Chocolate-House in St. James's-Street; and sold by R. Burleigh in Amen Corner, 1715. ESTC No. N20717. Grub Street ID 10099.
  • The secret history of the lives of the most celebrated beauties, ladies of quality, and jilts, ... By Captain Alexander Smith, ... [London]: Printed for J. Brown without Temple-Bar, J. Graves next White's Chocolate-House in St. James's Street, and J. Morphew near Stationers-Hall, 1715. ESTC No. N36767. Grub Street ID 24723.
  • Love in masquerade: or, seeing is not believing. Containing several pleasant adventures in the masquerading way. London: printed for J. Graves, J. Harbin, and J. Roberts, 1719. ESTC No. N11274. Grub Street ID 1271.
  • Steele, Sir Richard. The state of the case between the Lord-Chamberlain of His Majesty's houshold, and the governor of the Royal Company of Comedians. With the opinions of Pemberton, Northey, and Parker, concerning the theatre. By Sir Richard Steele. London: printed for W. Chetwood; J. Roberts; J. Graves; and Charles Lillie, 1720. ESTC No. T147110. Grub Street ID 193691.
  • Skinner, Thomas. The life of General Monk: Duke of Albemarle, Containing, I. A faithful Account of his unparallel'd Conduct, surprizing Actions, and Providential Success in accomplishing the Restoration of Monarchy. II. A particular Relation of that most memorable March from Coldstream to London; the Preparations for it in Scotland, and the Happy Consequences of it in England. III. Many Mistakes committed by our Historians, (particularly the Earl of Clarendon) concerning the General's Administration, rectified. Publish'd from an original manuscript of Thomas Skinner. M.D. With a preface in vindication of General Monk's conduct; and giving some account of the manuscript. By William Webster, M. A. Curate of St. Dunstans, in the West. London: printed for J. Graves in St. James's-Street: J. Isted and J. Hooke, in Fleet-Street, M.DCC.XX.IV. [1724]. ESTC No. T113801. Grub Street ID 165669.
  • A true, authentick, and impartial history of the life and glorious actions of the Czar of Muscovy: from his birth to his death. ... The whole compiled from the Russian, High Dutch and French languages, state papers, and other publick authorities. London: printed for A. Bettesworth in Pater-Noster Row, G. Strahan, W. Meadows in Cornhill, J. Stagg in Westminster-hall, J. Graves in St. James’s-Street, S. Chapman in Pall-Mall, R. Frankling in Covent-Garden, J. Harding in St. Martin’s-Lane, T. Edlin in the Strand, and J. Jackson near St. James’s House, [1725?]. ESTC No. N14081. Grub Street ID 3983.

Printed by and for, or by/for and sold by John Graves

  • Cockburn, W. The symptoms, Nature, Cause, and Cure of a Gonorrhoea. London: printed and sold by John Graves in St. James's Street, and John Morphew, near Stationers-Hall, MDCCXIII. [1713]. ESTC No. T53270. Grub Street ID 280232.
  • Toland, John. Tetradymus Containing I. Hodegus; ... II. Clidophorus; ... III. Hypatia; ... IV. Mangoneutes: ... By Mr. Toland. London: printed: and sold by J. Brotherton and W. Meadows, J. Roberts. W. Meres, W. Chetwood, S. Chapman, and J. Graves, 1720. ESTC No. T139630. Grub Street ID 187478.
  • W., J., M.D.. The secret history of Pythagoras: part I. Translated from the original copy lately found at Otranto in Italy. By J. W. M.D. London: printed: and sold by J. Brotherton and W. Meadows, at the Black Bull in Cornhill; J. Roberts in Warwick-Lane; A. Dodd, at the Peacock without Temple-Bar; W. Chetwood in Covent-Garden; S. Chapman in Pall-Mall; and J. Graves, at St. James's, MDCCXXI. [1721]. ESTC No. T110631. Grub Street ID 163141.
  • Alethson, Phil. A true system of religion, according to the best astronomical observations. By Phil. Alethson, A.C.S. ... London: printed: and sold by J. Brotherton and W. Meadows; J. Roberts; A. Dodd; W. Chetwood; S. Chapman; and J. Graves, 1721. ESTC No. T177240. Grub Street ID 214189.
  • Defoe, Daniel. The history and remarkable life of the truly honourable Col. Jacque, commonly call'd Col. Jack, who was born a gentleman, put 'prentice to a pick-pocket, was six and twenty years a thief, and then kidnapp'd to Virginia. Came back a merchant, married four wives, and five [sic] of them prov'd whores; went into the wars, behav'd bravely, got preferment, was made colonel of a regiment, came over, and fled with the Chevalier, and is now abroad compleating a life of wonders, and resolves to dye a general. London: printed, and sold by J. Brotherton, at the Royal-Exchange; T. Payne, near Stationers-Hall; W. Mears, at the Lamb, and A. Dodd, at the Peacock without Temple-Bar; W. Chetwood, in Covent-Garden; J. Graves, in St. James's-Street; S. Chapman, in Pall-Mall, and J. Stagg, at Westminster-Hall, MDCCXXIII. [1723, i.e. 1722]. ESTC No. N33025. Grub Street ID 21547.
  • Curll, Edmund. An historical account of the life and writings of the late eminently famous Mr. John Toland. Containing, I. A faithful Extract of his Works, and an Account of his Travels in Germany, Holland, &c. II. An Account of the Controversies wherein he was engaged, and a particular Enquiry into his Principles; His Philosophick Resignation to the Divine Will, and his Notions of Futurity at the Time of his Decease. III. An exact Catalogue of his Writings, published both with, and without his Name, and of the Manuscripts he left behind him. By one of his most intimate friends. In a letter to the Lord ****. London: printed: and sold by J. Roberts in Warwick-Lane; W. Mears, at the Lamb without Temple-Bar; J. Brotherton in Cornhill; J. Graves in St. James’s-Street; and W. Chetwood in Covent-Garden, M.DCC.XXII. [1722]. ESTC No. T130557. Grub Street ID 179651.
  • Defoe, Daniel. The history and remarkable life of the truly honourable Col. Jacque, commonly call'd Col. Jack, who was born a gentleman, put 'prentice to a pick-pocket, was six and twenty years a thief, and then kidnapp'd to Virginia. Came back a Merchant; was Five times married to Four Whores; went into the Wars, behav'd bravely, got Preferment, was made Colonel of a Regiment, came over, and fled with the Chevalier, is still abroad compleating a Life of Wonders, and resolves to dye a General. London: printed and sold by J. Brotherton, at the Royal-Exchange; T. Payne, near Stationers-Hall; W. Mears, at the Lamb, and A. Dodd, at the Peacock without Temple-Bar; W. Chetwood, in Covent Garden; J. Graves, in St. James's-Street; S. Chapman, in Pall Mall, and J. Stagg, at Westminster-Hall, MDCCXXIII. [1723]. ESTC No. T69662. Grub Street ID 293612.