Publications of Joseph Fox the First

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 Joseph Fox the First

  • Ellis, William. The timber-Tree improved; or, the best practical methods of improving different lands with proper timber, and Those Fruit-Trees whose Woods make the most profitable Returns to their Owners: According to the Newest Inventions, by the Plough, Harrow, and other Methods most approved of. By William Ellis, Of Little Gaddesden, near Hemstead in Hertfordshire. London: printed for the author, and sold by J. and J. Fox, at the Half-Moon and Seven-Stars, in Westminster-Hall; and at their shop at Tunbridge-Wells, during the summer season; sold also by E. Withers, in Fleet-Street, and T. Cooper in Pater-Noster-Row, 1738. ESTC No. T11287. Grub Street ID 164824.

Printed for Joseph Fox the First

  • Southerne, Thomas. Sir Anthony Love: or, The rambling lady. A comedy. As it is acted at the Theatre-Royal by Their Majesties servants. Written by Tho. Southerne. London: printed for Joseph Fox at the Seven Stars in Westminster-Hall, and Abel Roper at the Mitre near Temple Bar, 1691. ESTC No. R40108. Grub Street ID 121945.
  • Burgess, Daniel. Causa Dei: or Counsel to the rich of this world. To the highest part of the dust of the earth. To which is prefixed an humble address to the King's Majesty. London: printed for Joseph Fox, bookseller in Westminster-Hall, 1697. ESTC No. R15481. Grub Street ID 63415.
  • Haywood, Eliza. The dumb projector: being a surprizing account of a trip to Holland made by Mr. Duncan Campbell. With The Manner of his Reception and Behaviour there. As also The various and diverting Occurrences that happened on his Departure. London: printed for W. Ellis at the Queen's Head in Gracechurch-Street; J. Roberts in Warwick-Lane; Mrs. Bilingsly at the Royal-Exchange; A. Dod without Temple-Bar; and J. Fox in Westminster-Hall, 1725. ESTC No. T35027. Grub Street ID 265233.
  • Haywood, Eliza. A spy on the conjurer. Or, a collection of surprising and diverting stories, with merry and ingenious letters. By way of memoirs of the famous Mr. Duncan Campbell, demonstrating the astonishing Foresight of that Wonderful Deaf and Dumb Man. The Whole being Moral and Instructive. Written to my Lord-----by a Lady, who, for Twenty Years past, has made it her Business to observe all Transactions in the Life and Conversation of Mr. Campbell. Revised by Mrs. Eliz. Haywood. London: printed for William Ellis, at the Queens Head in Gracechurch-Street; J. Brotherton, near the Royal-Exchange; J. Batley, in Pater-Noster-Row; T. Woodward, at Half-Moon against St. Dunstan's Church, Fleet-Street; J. Fox, in Westminster-Hall, [1725]. ESTC No. T75683. Grub Street ID 298313.
  • Tandon, J. E. A new French grammar, teaching a person, of an ordinary capacity, without the help of a master, to read, speak, and write that tongue, in less than half the usual time, in the following easy method, never before attempted: viz. I. A concise French grammar. II. The verbs ... III. A vocabulary ... IV. Twelve necessary and entertaining dialogues, ... V. A collection of choice French and English proverbs. VI. A collection of French songs. By J.E. Tandon, teacher of the French tongue at Her Grace the Dutchess of Marlborough’s. London: printed for John Millan, at the corner of Buckingham Court, near the Admiralty-Office; and Joseph Fox, at the Half-Moon and Seven Stars, in Westminster-Hall, MDCCXXXV. [1735]. ESTC No. N64750. Grub Street ID 46728.
  • The london and country brewer. Containing an Account, I. Of the Nature of the Barley-Corn, and of the proper Soils and Manures for the Improvement thereof. II. Of making good Malts. III. To know good from bad Malts. IV. Of the Use of the Pale, Amber, and Brown Malts. V. Of the Nature of several Waters, and their Use in Brewing. VI. Of Grinding Malts. VII. Of Brewing in general. VIII. Of the London Method of Brewing Stout, But-Beer, Pale and Brown Ales. IX. Of the Country or Private Way of Brewing. X. Of the Nature and Use of the Hop. XI. Of Boiling Malt Liquors, and to Brew a Quantity of Drink in a little Room, and with a few Tubs. XII. Of Foxing or Tainting of Malt Liquors; their Prevention and Cure. XIII. Of Fermenting and Working of Beers and Ales, and the unwholesome Practice of Beating in the Yeast, detected. XIV. Of several Artificial Lees for seeding, fining, preserving, and relishing Malt Liquors. XV. Of several pernicious Ingredients put into Malt Liquors to encrease their Strength. XVI. Of the Cellar or Repository for keeping Beers and Ales. XVII. Of Sweetning and Cleaning Casks. XVIII. Of Bunging Casks and Carrying them to some Distance. XIX. Of the Age and Strength of Malt Liquors. XX. Of the Profit and Pleasure of Private Brewing, and the Charge of Buying Malt Liquors. To which is added, A Philosophical Account of Brewing Strong October Beer. By an Ingenious Hand. By a Person formerly concerned in a Common Brewhouse at London, but for twenty Years past has resided in the Country. London: printed for Messieurs Fox, at the Half-Moon and Seven Stars, in Westminster-Hall, M.DCC.XXXVI. [1736]. ESTC No. T16835. Grub Street ID 206275.
  • Tandon, J. E. A new French grammar, teaching a person, of an ordinary capacity, without the help of a master, to read, speak, and write that tongue, in less than half the usual time, in the following Easy Method, never before attempted, viz. I. The true Pronunciation of Vowels, Consonants, Dipthongs, and Tripthongs. II. The Use and Construction of Articles. Of Verbs, Adverbs, Prepositions, and the Syntax. III. A Dictionary of some useful Words; a Vocabulary French and English; and a Collection of Adjectives expressing divers Qualities. IV. An Alphabetical List of the proper Names of Men and Women, with their Abbreviations. V. Familiar Phrases and Dialogues, disposed in three Columns, viz. 1st, the French as Written and Spelt 2d, the English 3d, The French as Pronounced. VI. A Choice Collection of French and English Proverbs. Vii. A Collection of French Songs. By J.E. Tandon, Teacher of the French Tongue at her Grace the Duchess of Marlborough's. The third edition, with the addition of many new and u. London: printed for John Millan, near Will's Coffee-House, Scotland-Yard; and J. and J. Fox, at the Half-Moon and Seven Stars, in Westminster-Hall, M.DCC.XXXVI. [1736]. ESTC No. T120737. Grub Street ID 171741.
  • Sarpi, Paolo. A treatise of ecclesiastical benefices and revenues. Containing, among other very curious Particulars, I. That the Church hath been taught the Manner of Possessing and Administring her Temporals, by Jesus Christ. II. That Ecclesiasticks become too greedy in acquiring Estates, and that their Avarice ought to be restrained. III. That the Bishops becoming Judges in Civil Affairs, neglect to teach the Doctrine of Christ. IV. The Original of Tythes, whether of Divine or Human Right. V. The Original Government of the Church Democratical. VI. Detestable Popes and prophane Bishops described. Vii. The Usurpations of several Bishops upon the Temporals of Princes. Viii. The Original of Commendams, &c. Written originally in Italian, by the learned Father Paul, Author of the History of the Council of Trent. Translated by Tobias Jenkins Esq; Late Member of Parliament, and Lord Mayor of York. And Illustrated with Notes by Him, and from the ingenious Amelot De La Houssaye. The third edition. To which. Westminster: printed for Olive Payne, at Horace's Head, in Round Court, opposite York-Buildings in the Strand; and Joseph Fox, at the Half-Moon and Seven-Stars, in Westminster-Hall, M.DCC.XXXVI. [1736]. ESTC No. T90674. Grub Street ID 310514.
  • Blackerby, Nathaniel. The speech of Nathaniel Blackerby Esq; At a general meeting of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the city and liberty of Westminster; held at the King’s Bench, in Westminster-Hall: on Saturday, April 1. 1738. To the justices, high bailiff, high constable, and petty constables of the city and liberty of Westminister; on occasion of His Majesty’s royal proclamation, and of a letter from the Lords of His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy-Council, inclosed to him, as chairman, in a letter from His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, Custos Rotulorum of the county of Middlesex, and city and liberty of Westminster: for the more effectual putting in execution the laws against retailing spirituous liquors, protecting the officers of justice, assisting the magistrates, and suppressing all combinations, confederacies, &c. London: Printed for J. and J. Fox, at the Half-Moon and Seven Stars, in Westminster-Hall, M.DCC.XXXVIII. [1738]. ESTC No. T192979. Grub Street ID 227271.
  • The projectors. A comedy. The second edition. The humours of the road, or, a ramble to Oxford. A comedy. The second edition. As they were both intended to be acted at one of the theatres. London: printed for T. Cooper at the Globe in Pater-Noster-Row, and sold by J. and J. Fox, at the Half-Moon and Seven-Stars in Westminster-Hall, [1739]. ESTC No. T179653. Grub Street ID 216370.