Publications of Matthew Simmons

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: and sold by x"; "printed for and sold by x"; or "printed by and for x" and so on.

On this last point, trade publishers such as Mary Cooper appeared in imprints as having "printed" or "published" the work, though they did not own the copyright. The lists below reflect only the information on the imprint, except where ESTC provides extra information.

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 Matthew Simmons

  • Williams, Roger. A paraenetick or humble addresse to the Parliament and assembly for (not loose, but) Christian libertie. Perused and allowed according to order. London: printed by Matthew Simmons for Henry Overton in Popes-Head-Alley, 1644. ESTC No. R10999. Grub Street ID 59324.
  • A second powder-plot, discovered in his Excellency the Lord Generalls armie. Truly relating the manner of this desperate, cowardly, and malignant plot: in two severall letters. The first from one of the lifeguard to his brother in London. The other from a Lievtenant in the armie. Published according to order. London: printed by Matthew Simmons, September 5. 1644. ESTC No. R11329. Grub Street ID 59625.
  • Cotton, John. The bloudy tenent, washed, and made white in the bloud of the Lambe: being discussed and discharged of bloud-guiltinesse by just defence. Wherein the great questions of this present time are handled, viz. how farre liberty of conscience ought to be given to those that truly feare God? And how farre restrained to turbulent and pestilent persons, that not onely raze the foundation of godlinesse, but disturb the civill peace where they live? Also how farre the magistrate may proceed in the duties of the first table? And that all magistrates ought to study the word and will of God, that they may frame their government according to it. Discussed. As they are alledged from divers Scriptures, out of the Old and New Testament. Wherein also the practise of princes is debated, together with the judgement of ancient and late writers of most precious esteeme. Whereunto is added a reply to Mr. Williams answer, to Mr. Cottons letter. By John Cotton Batchelor in Divinity, and teacher of the Church of. London: printed by Matthew Symmons for Hannah Allen, at the Crowne in Popes-Head-Alley, 1647. ESTC No. R836. Grub Street ID 128536.
  • Valentine, Thomas. A charge against the Jews, and the Christian world, for not coming to Christ, who would have freely given them eternall life. Delivered in a sermon, before the right honorable the House of Peers, in the Abbey Church at Westminster, on May 26. 1647. being the day of their publick fast. By Thomas Valentine, one of the Assembly of Divines, and Minister of Chalfont in the County of Bucks. London: printed by M[atthew] S[immons]. for John Rothwell at the Sun and Fountain in Pauls Church-yard, 1647. ESTC No. R201520. Grub Street ID 78919.
  • The integrity of the Parliaments army justified. By a short, plain, and cordiall answer to the eight quæries lately published to the reproach thereof. London: Printed by Matthew Symmons, 1647. ESTC No. R201700. Grub Street ID 79054.
  • A Briefe relation of some affaires and transactions, civill and military, both forraigne and domestique. [London, England]: Printed by M[atthew]. Simmons, in Aldersgate Street, 1649-1650. ESTC No. P1243. Grub Street ID 55078.
  • Shepard, Thomas. The sincere convert. Discovering the small number of true beleevers, and the great difficulty of saving conversion. Wherein is excellently and plainly opened these choyce and divine principles; viz. 1. That there is a God, and this God is most glorious. 2. That God made man in a blessed estate. 3. Mans misery by his fall. 4. Christ the onely Redeemer by price. 5. That few are saved, and that with difficulty. 6. That mans perdition is of himselfe. By Tho. Shepheard, sometimes of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge. London: printed by M[atthew]. S[immons], [sic] for J. Sweeting and are to be sold at the Angell in Popes-head Alley, 1650. ESTC No. R10845. Grub Street ID 59185.
  • Holdsworth, Richard. The valley of vision, or A clear sight of sundry sacred truths. Delivered in twenty-one sermons; by that learned and reverend divine, Richard Holsvvorth, Dr. in Divinity, sometimes Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge, Master of Emanuel Colledge, and late preacher at Peters Poor in London. The particular titles and texts are set downe in the next leafe. London [and Cambridge]: printed by M[atthew] S[immons and Roger Daniel] and are to be sold by R. Tomlins at the Sun and Bible in Pye-Corner; and Rob. Littlebury at the Unicorne in Little-Britaine, 1651. ESTC No. R202438. Grub Street ID 79677.
  • Greenhill, William. An exposition continued upon the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth chapters of the prophet Ezekiel, with many useful observations thereupon. Delivered at severall lectures in London. By William Greenhill. London: printed by M[atthew]. S[immons] for Livewell Chapman at the Crown in Popes-head-Alley, 1651. ESTC No. R2782. Grub Street ID 110959.
  • Robotham, John. An exposition on the whole book of Solomons Song; commonly called the Canticles. Wherein the text is explained, and usefull observations raised thereupon. By John Robotham (formerly near Chichester, and now in Dover) preacher of the Gospel. London: printed by M[atthew]. S[immons]. and are to be sold by George Eversden, at the golden Ball in Aldersgate street: and An: Williamson at the Queens Arms in Pauls-Church yard: and L: Chapman at the Crowne in Popes-head-Alley, 1652. ESTC No. R11974. Grub Street ID 60191.
  • E., J.. The great deliverance of the whole house of Israel. What it truly is, by whom it shall be performed, and in what year. Declared plainly by the word of God. In ansvver to a book called, The hope of Israel. Written by a learned Jew of Amsterdam. Named Manasseh Ben Israel. And by him dedicated to the high court, the Parliament of England, and to the councell of state, an. Dom. 1650. London: printed by M[atthew]. S[immons]., 1652. ESTC No. R174803. Grub Street ID 67892.
  • The humble desires of the gentlemen, free-holders, and inhabitants, of the county and city of Dvrham, and other of the northerne counties, for founding a colledge at Durham. Represented to the high court of Parliament, by their severall petitions: the heads whereof, with the reasons thereunto annexed, are as followeth. London: printed by M[atthew] S[immons], in the year 1652. ESTC No. R225186. Grub Street ID 98479.
  • Richardson, Samuel. Justification by Christ alone. A fountain of life and comfort. Declaring that the elect were justified from the punishment of sinne by Christ, when he was upon the crosse, and the objections against it are answered. The second impression. By Samuel Richardson. London: printed by M[atthew]. Simmons in Alde[r]sgate streete, 1652. ESTC No. R182711. Grub Street ID 72700.
  • Powell, Walter. Long lasting newes: or Newes for newters. Or, The check cause cure of halting. With 31 doores of hope for the good successe of the then publick cause of the nation. Delivered in a sermon, November 27. 1644 in the Colledge of Glocester, before that valiant and vigilant governour Colonell Massy, being the day of publick humiliation. By Walter Powell, M.A. vicar of Standish. London: printed by M[atthew] Simmons, in Aldersgate-street, 1655. ESTC No. R219540. Grub Street ID 94066.
  • The humble inquiry, partly approving and partly disapproving the practice of the law. Printed and published according to order. London: printed by M[atthew] S[immons] in Aldersgate-street, next door to the Golden Lyon, 1657. [i.e. 1656]. ESTC No. R202524. Grub Street ID 79757.

Printed for Matthew Simmons

  • Hexham, Henry. The principles of the art militarie; practised in the vvarres of the Vnited Netherlands. Represented by figure, the vvord of command, and demonstration. Composed by Henry Hexham quarter-master to the regiment of the Honourable Coronell Goring. London [i.e. Delft]: Printed by M[ichael] P[arsons and Jan Petersen Waelpote, Delft] for Matthew Symmons, and are to bee sold at his house in Barbican, neere the Red Crosse, 1637. ESTC No. S119700. Grub Street ID 139340.
  • An alarme to awake church-sleepers. Describing the causes, discovering the dangers, prescribing remedies for this drowsie disease. Publisped [sic], perused, & amended for the benefit of all those that are either infected herewith, or in danger so to bee. London: printed for Matthew Symmons in Gold-smiths Alley in Red-crosse-street, 1644. ESTC No. R119. Grub Street ID 60129.
  • Cotton, John. The covenant of Gods free grace, most sweetly unfolded, and comfortably applied to a disquieted soul, from that text of 2 Sam. 23. ver. 5. Also a doctrinall conclusion, that there is in all such who are effectually called, in-dwelling spirituall gifts and graces, wrought and created in them by the Holy Ghost. By that reverend and faithfull minister of Gods word, Mr. John Cotton, teacher of the church at Boston in New-England. Whereunto is added, A profession of faith, made by the reverend divine, Mr. John Davenport, in New-England, at his admission into one of the churches there. Imprimatur, John Downame. London: printed for Matthew Simmons, 1645. ESTC No. R200283. Grub Street ID 77826.
  • A declaration of the Parliament of England concerning their late endeavors, in a peaceable way, to remove all misunderstandings, and differences between the Common-wealth of England, and the kingdome of Scotland. Herewith is printed the last paper of the Scotch Commissioners, with the sense of the Parliament thereupon. Also the letter of the Parliament of England to the Parliament of Scotland, with their answer thereunto, which is answerd by this declaration. Die Sabbathi 14 Julii 1649. This declaration was read the first and second time, and upon the question passed. Ordered by the Commons assembled in Parliament, that the said declaration be forthwith printed and published. Ordered, that it be referred to the Counsell of State to see the said declaration printed. Hen. Scobell cleric. Parliamenti. London: printed for Matthew Simmons dwelling in Aldersgate street, MDCXLIX. [1649]. ESTC No. R205153. Grub Street ID 81962.