Publications of Thomas Underhill

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 Thomas Underhill

  • Woodward, Ezekias. Of the childs portion, viz: Good education. By E. W. Or, The book of the education of youth, that hath for some yeers lain in obscurity; but is now brought to light, for the help of parents and tutors, to whom it is recommended. By Will: Goudge, D.D. Edm: Calamy. John Goodwin. Joseph Caryll. Jer: Burroughs. William Greenhill. Printed at London: and are to be sold by Tho: Underhill at the signe of the Bible in Woodstreet, 1649. ESTC No. R221221. Grub Street ID 95415.

Printed for Thomas Underhill

  • Remarkable passages from Nottingham, Lichfield, Leicester, and Cambridge: declaring what the Kings standard is, and the time and manner of its setting up. Also how Lichfield and Tamworth are disarmed, and the Lord Gray his house disarmed and pillaged by the traiterous cavaliers. Together with some other remarkable occurrents. London: printed for T. Underhill, Sept. 1. 1642. ESTC No. R212505. Grub Street ID 88094.
  • Woodward, Ezekias. The churches thank-offering to God her King, and the Parliament, for rich and ancient mercies; her yeares of captivity; her first yeare of iubile; that is, for the marvelous deliverances wrought with God the first wonderfull yeare (since the yeare 88) beginning at September 1640. and ending the ninth of the same moneth following: in all which time, the Lord appeared for his Church, as in the dayes of old, out of the middest of the bush, so the Church burn'd with fire, and was not consumed. In the preface, the thank-offering is vindicated, and set free, from all the cavills and charges against it; where also it is cleared to be, as every mans duty, so every mans purpose, to offer willingly now, who doth not make full proofe, that he falls short of pagan, papist or atheist; and is wilfully resolved to walk crosse to the most supreme law, the highest reason, and the unquestionable will of God. London: printed for T[homs]. V[underhill]., at the signe of the Bible in Wood-street, 1642. ESTC No. R18182. Grub Street ID 72243.
  • A particular relation of the severall removes, services, and successes of the Right Honorable the Earle of Manchesters army (drawn forth of the associated counties of Norfolke, Suffolke, Essex, Cambridge, &c.) since he went from Bedford, Aprill 20. to the compleating of the great victory at Lincolne, May the 6th 1644. London [England]: Printed for Thomas Underhill, at the Bible in Woodstreet, 1644. ESTC No. P1029. Grub Street ID 54905.
  • The Westerne informer. Containing the lastest newes from, and successfull proceedings of his Excellency, Sir Thomas Fairfax his armie. And in particular (besides many other things) that Prince Charles, with many other gentlemen, tooke shipping for France at Falmouth, March 1. From a faithfull hand. [London, England]: Published according to order, and printed for Thomas Underhill. March 7th, 1645. ESTC No. P1080. Grub Street ID 54952.
  • The humble petition of many well-affected freemen, and citizens of the City of London, for themselves, and the rest of those Covenant-ingaged citizens, whose names were subscribed to the late humble representation presented to the Parliament. To the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor, the right worshipfull the aldermen, and commons of the City of London in Common-Councell assembled. Presented Ianuary 25. 1646. Published according to order. London: Printed for Tho: Underhill at the Bible in Woodstreet, 1646. [i.e. 1647]. ESTC No. R201321. Grub Street ID 78761.
  • Ashhurst, William. Reasons against agreement with a late printed paper, intituled, Foundations of freedome: or, The agreement of the people. VVhereby it doth appear, that the particulars proposed in the said paper are not foundations of freedome, but of tyrannie and slaverie to the people; being destructive to religion, laws, liberty, and government; against our Covenant and protestations, and very dangerous and unsafe for the kingdom. By William Ashhurst Esquire. London: printed for Tho: Underhill, 1648. ESTC No. R16829. Grub Street ID 64637.
  • Leigh, Edward. Critica sacra in two parts: the first containing Observations on all the radices, or primitive Hebrevv vvords of the Old Testament, in order alphabetical. Wherein both they (and many derivatives also issuing from them) are fully opened out of the best lexicographers and scholiasts. The second edition corrected, and much enlarged by the authour. The second Philologicall and Theologicall observations upon all the Greek vvords of the New Testament, in order alphabetical. Wherein usually the etymon of the word is given, its force and emphasis observed, and the severall acceptions of it in scripture, and the versions by expositors are set down. By Edward Leigh Esquire, Mr of Arts of Magdalen Hall in Oxford. London: printed by Abraham Miller and Roger Daniel for Thomas Underhill at the Anchor in Pauls Church-yard, near the little north-door, M.DC.L. [1650]. ESTC No. R11616. Grub Street ID 59884.
  • Cook, William, Minister of the Gospel at Ashby-Delazouch. The font uncover'd for infant-baptisme; or An ansvver to the challenges of the Anabaptists of Stafford, never yet reply'd unto, though long since promised. Wherein the baptisme of all church-members infants is by plain Scripture-proof maintained to be the will of Jesus Christ; and many points about churches and their constitutions are occasionally handled. By William Cook late minister of the Gospel at Ashby-Delazouch. London: printed by A. Miller for Tho. Underhill at the Anchor in Pauls Church-yard, near the little north-door, 1651. ESTC No. R1614. Grub Street ID 64021.
  • Wallis, John. A brief and easie explanation of the shorter catechism, presented by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster to both Houses of Parliament: and by them approved[.] Wherein, the meanest [capacities] may in a speedy and [asie way be] brought to understan[d the principles] of relig[ion.] In imitation of a catechism [formerly published] by Mr. Herb. Palme[r. B.D. and] late master of Que[ens College.] By John [Wallis D.D.] minister of th[e Gospel.]. London: printed by T[homas]. R[atcliffe]. & E[dward]. [Mottershed for Thomas Underhill] at the Anchor in Paul[s Church-yard], [1653]. ESTC No. R186199. Grub Street ID 74981.
  • Burgess, Anthony. Spiritual refining: part II. Or, a treatise of sinne with its causes, differences, mitigations and aggravations. Particularly of the desperate deceitfulness of mans heart, of presumptuous and reigning sins, and of hyprocrisie and formality in religion. Also occasionally handling the uprightness and tenderness of a gracious heart; and therein discovering the nature of a misguided conscience, as also of secret and unknown sins that the best men are guilty of, with directions to the godly under their fears about them. Shewing withall, that a strict scrutiny into a mans heart and wayes, with a holy fear of sinning, doth consist with a gospel-life of faith and joy in the holy ghost. All tending to unmask counterfeit Christians. Terrifie the ungodly. Comfort and direct the doubting saint. Humble man. Exalt the grace of God. In XLII. sermons, by Anthony Burgess sometime Fellow of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and now pastor of Sutton-Coldfield in Warwickshire. London: printed for T[homas]. U[nderhill]. and are to be sold by Thomas Newberry at the three Lions on Cornhill by the Exchange, 1654. ESTC No. R173232. Grub Street ID 66876.
  • Farthing, John. Short-writing shortned [sic]: or, the art of short-writing reduced to a method more speedy, plain, exact, and easie, then hath been heretofore published. In which, the principal difficulties and discouragements that have been found in short-writing, particularly the buthening of memory with, and inconvenient joyning of many characters, are removed; and the whole art so disposed, that all usual words may be written with aptnesse and brevity. By John Farthing authour and teachre thereof, who wrote Mr Christopher Love's trial and hath practised short-writing thi 26. years. London: printed for Tho. Underhill, and are to be sold at the Blew Anchor in Pauls Church-yard, and by the authour at his House in Olaves-street in Southwark, and at his chamber in the house that was Alderman Freemans in Cornhill, near the Royall Exchange, 1654. ESTC No. R176973. Grub Street ID 69270.
  • Baxter, Richard. Rich. Baxters Apology against the modest exceptions of Mr T. Blake. And the digression of Mr G. Kendall. Whereunto is added animadversions on a late dissertation of Ludiomæus Colvinus, aliàs, Ludovicus Molinæus, M. Dr Oxon. And an admonition of Mr W. Eyre of Salisbury. Wit Mr Crandon's anatomy for satisfaction of Mr Caryl. London: printed [by A.M. and R.W.] for T. Underhill and F. Tyton, and are to be sold by Jos. Nevil at the Plough, and Jos. Barbar at the Lamb in Pauls Church-yard, 1654. ESTC No. R207020. Grub Street ID 83454.
  • Palmer, Herbert. Memorials of godlines & Christianity. In three parts. Part I. containing meditations 1. Of making religion ones business. 2. An appendix applied to the calling of a minister. The fifth edition corrected and inlarged by the author Herbert Palmer, B.D. late master of Qu. Coll. Camb. London: printed by A[braham]. M[iller]. for T[homas]. Underhill at the Anchor in Pauls Church-yard, 1655. ESTC No. R181416. Grub Street ID 72016.
  • Barton, William. Man's monitor, or the free-school of virtue; holding forth the duties required, and sins forbidden in the two tables of the law. In easie English vers. Fit to bee implanted in the memories of all Christian children. By W. Barton preacher of God's Word at North-winfield in Darby-shire. London: printed by W[illiam]. D[ugard]. for T[homas]. Underhill; and are to bee sold at the Blue Anchor in Pau'ls [sic] Church-yard, 1655. ESTC No. R172281. Grub Street ID 66217.

Printed by and for, or by/for and sold by Thomas Underhill

  • Woodward, Ezekias. The Kings chronicle latter section. Wherein the way, the good kings, priest and people have taken for the well-posturing the kingdome, is fully declared, and made glorious before the eye of the beholder by Gods own right hand, for the encouragement of all, who will walk in the same way, observe the same steps and motions there; and fixe their eye upon the same marke, the glory of God; their owne and the peoples safety. By Hezekiah Woodward. London: printed by G[eorge]. M[iller]. for George Miller and Thomas Underhill, and are to be sold at the signe of the Bible in Wood-street, 1643. ESTC No. R11120. Grub Street ID 59433.