Publications of Benjamin Alsop

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 Benjamin Alsop

  • Jenkyn, William. Refutatio cujusdam scripti hoc insigniti lemmate, Roberti Grovii responsio ad nuperum libellum qui inscribitur Celeusma, seu Clamor. Per authorem celeusmatis edita. [London]: Prostat apud Ben. Alsop, ad insigne Angeli Bibliophori in vico vocato The Poultry, 1681. ESTC No. R41177. Grub Street ID 122888.
  • Coxe, Nehemiah. A discourse of the covenants that God made with men before the law. Wherein, the covenant of circumcision is more largely handled, and the invalidity of the plea for pædobaptism taken from thence discovered. By Nehemiah Coxe. [London]: Printed by J[ohn].D[arby]. and are to be sold by Nathaniel Ponder at the Peacock in the Poultry; and Benjamin Alsop at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1681. ESTC No. R7196. Grub Street ID 127477.
  • Ayres, John. The new a-la-mode secretarie: or, Practical pen-man, a new copy-book. Wherein the bastard Italians, commonly called the new-a-la-mode, round hands, mixt running hands, and mixt secretary's, are so model'd and composed, as to dispatch business with facility and nearness. Written with much variety, and performed according to the nature, freedom, and tendency of the pen. By John Ayres, master of the writing-school, at the Hand and Pen near St. Pauls school, in St. Pauls Church-yard, London. [London]: Sold by Hen. Hatley, at the Three Flower-de-luces in St. Pauls church-yard; Sam. Crouch, at the corner of Popes-head-alley in Cornhil; and Ben. Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultrey, [1682]. ESTC No. R5335. Grub Street ID 125787.
  • Owen, John. A brief and impartial account of the nature of the Protestant religion: its present state in the vvorld, its strength and weakness, with the wayes and indications of the ruine or continuance of its publick national profession. By a Protestant. London: printed by J[ames]. A[stwood]. and are to be sold by Benjamin Alsop at the Angel and Bible in the Poultrey, 1682. ESTC No. R11764. Grub Street ID 60018.
  • The history of Frier Bacon. London: printed for M.W. and are to be sold by D. Newman at the Kings Armes, and B. Alsop at the Angel and Bible in the Poultrey, 1683. ESTC No. R215743. Grub Street ID 90717.
  • L.P.. The famous history of Valentine and Orson. Being the two only sons of the emperour of Greece. Deciphering their wonderful births, their valiant atchievements, their heroical minds, and their noble enterprises. Drawn up in a short volume, on purpose to give the better satisfaction to them that desire to hear and know the truth in few words. Written by Lawrence Price. London: printed for M.W. and are to be sold by D. Newman at the Kings Arms, and B. Alsop at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1683. ESTC No. R220454. Grub Street ID 94820.
  • Johnson, Richard. The crown garland of golden roses, gathered out of Englands royall garden. Set forth in many pleasant new songs and sonnets. With new additions, never before imprinted. Divided into two parts, by R. Johnson. London: printed for M.W. and are to be sold by Dorman Newman, at the Kings Arms, and Ben. Alsop, at the Angel an[d] Bible, in the Poultrey, 1683. ESTC No. R43320. Grub Street ID 124347.

Printed for Benjamin Alsop

  • Baxter, Richard. The defence of The nonconformists plea for peace, or An account of the matter of their nonconformity, against Mr. J. Cheney's answer, called The conforming nonconformist, and the nonconforming conformist. To which is added the second part in answer to Mr. Cheney's five undertakings. By Richard Baxter. London: printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel over against the Stocks-Market, 1680. ESTC No. R10601. Grub Street ID 58954.
  • Baxter, Richard. The defence of The nonconformists plea for peace, or An account of the matter of their nonconformity, against Mr. J. Cheney's answer, called The conforming nonconformist, and the nonconforming conformist. To which is added the second part in answer to Mr. Cheney's five undertakings. By Richard Baxter. London: printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel over against the Stocks-Market, 1680. ESTC No. R482966. Grub Street ID 125293.
  • Young, E, schoolmaster in London. The compleat English scholar, in spelling, reading, and writing: containing plain and easie directions for spelling, and reading English, according to the present pronunciation. With several tables of common words and proper names in the Bible and elsewhere, from one to six and seven syllables, both in whole words and divided into syllables. And directions for true writing of English, with several copies of the most usual hands engraven in copper. Also examples of the different writing and pronouncing of the same words in the English tongue. Lastly, how to spell words as are alike in sound, but differ in their sence and spelling; with the use of all stops and points in spelling and writing, and the interpretation of English Christian names, and many other things of use to learners. By E. Young, schoolmaster in London. London: printed for Ben. Alsop at the George at the lower end of Cornhil over against the Stocks-Market, 1680. ESTC No. R186935. Grub Street ID 75397.
  • Wales, Samuel. Totum hominis: or The whole duty of a Christian, consisting in faith and good life. Abridged in certain sermons expounding Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians, Epist. 2. Chap. 1. Vers. 11, 12. By Samuel Wales minister of the gospel at Morley in York-shire. London: printed by T.B. for Benjamin Alsop, at the George at the lower end of Cornhill over, against the Stocks-Market, 1680. ESTC No. R219294. Grub Street ID 93848.
  • Collinges, John. Defensative armour, against four of Sathan's most fiery darts: viz. temptations to atheistical and blasphemous impressions and thoughts, self-murther, despair, and presumption. Wherein is discoursed the nature of these temptations, the several tempters to these sins, the arguments ordinarily used by the tempters in the inforcing of them; and some proper advice is offered to those who are exercised with them. By J.C. D.D. London: printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible over against the Stocks-market, and Ewdard [sic] Giles bookseller in Norwich, 1680. ESTC No. R12985. Grub Street ID 61117.
  • The royal charter of confirmation granted by King Charles II. to the city of London. Wherein are recited verbatim, all the charters to the said city, granted by His Majesties royal predecessors, kings and queens of England. Taken out of the records, and exactly translate into English by S.G. Gent. Together with an index or alphabetical table, and a table explaining all the obsolete and difficult words in the said charter. London: printed for Samuel Lee and Benjamin Alsop, at the Feathers in Lombard-street, near the Post-Office, and at the Angel in the Poultrey over against the Stocks-market, [1680]. ESTC No. R6880. Grub Street ID 127178.
  • The glory of free grace display'd, or, The transcendant excellency of the love of God in Christ unto believing, repenting sinners in some measure describ'd wherein 1. the followers of Dr. Crispe are prov'd to be abusers of the true Gospel-notion of free grace and 2. the Congregational clear'd from the reproach of being asserters of such errors as are found in Dr. Crispes writings, as appears by the prefix'd epistle of Dr. Owen / by Stephen Lobb. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, 1680. ESTC No. R28793. Grub Street ID 111827.
  • Gouge, Thomas. A vvord to sinners, and a vvord to saints. The former tending to the awakening the consciences of secure sinners unto a lively sense and apprehension of the dreadful condition they are in, so long as they live in their natural and unregenerate estate. The latter tending to the directing and perswading of the godly and regenerate unto several singular duties. By Tho. Gouge, Minister of the Gospel. London: printed by Tho. Snowden, for Will. Miller, Edw. Thomas, William Bromwich, Robert Clavell, John Wright, Benjamin Alsop, in the year 1680. ESTC No. R32452. Grub Street ID 115164.
  • The glory of free grace display'd: or, The transcendant excellency of the love of God in Christ, unto believing, repenting sinners, in some measure describ'd. Wherein, 1. The doctrine about election, and the covenant of reconciliation is explained. 2. The error of the antinomians, who assert, that the filth of sin was laid on Christ, and that the holiness as well as the righteousness of Christ is made the elects while in the womb, &c. With their abuse of free-grace particularly detected and confuted. 3. In what sense our sins were laid on Christ, and Christ's righteousness made the believers, according to the sacred scriptures, evinced. 4. The glory of irresistible-grace, as exerted in the conversion of a sinner in opposition to the Arminian, cleared. 5. A modest defence of the sober dominican, about physical predetermination. London: printed by T. S. for B. Alsop, at the Angel and Bible against the stocks-market, 1680. ESTC No. R218819. Grub Street ID 93427.
  • Collinges, John. The vindication of liturgies, lately published by Dr. Falkner, proved no vindication of the lawfulness, usefulness and antiquity of set-forms of publick ministerial prayer, to be generally used by, or imposed on all ministers; and consequently an answer to a book, intituled, A reasonable account why some pious nonconformists judge it sinful, for them to perform their ministerial acts in by the prescribed forms of others. Wherein with an answer to what Dr. Falkner hath said in the book aforesaid, the original principles are discovered, from whence the different apprehensions of men in this point arise. By the author of the Reasonable account, and Supplement to it. London: printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1681. ESTC No. R37651. Grub Street ID 119869.
  • Morton, Charles. The way of good men for wise men to walk in. Or, Animadversions upon Prov. 2. 20. comp. with v. 10, 11, 12. In a dialogue between Ethicus, a man for customs, though derived from the heathen: and Logicus, a man for right reason, guided by the Word of God. London: printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the sign of the Angel and Bible in the Poultrey, 1681. ESTC No. R216856. Grub Street ID 91713.
  • Manton, Thomas. One hundred and ninety sermons on the hundred and nineteenth Psalm, preached by the late reverend and learned Thomas Manton, D.D. with a perfect alphabetical table, directing to the principal matters contained therein. London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns at the lower end of Cheapside; Jonathan Robinson at the Golden Lion in St. Pauls Church-yard; Brabazon Aylmer at the Three Pigeons in Cornhil over against the Royal Exchange; and Benjamin Alsop at the Angel and Bible in the Poultrey, 1681. ESTC No. R4825. Grub Street ID 125287.
  • Alsop, Vincent. Melius inquirendum. Or, A sober inquiry into the reasonings of the Serious inquiry: wherein the inquirers cavils against the principles, his calumnies against the preachings and practices of the non-conformists are examined and refelled, and St. Augustine, the Synod of Dort, and the Articles of the Church of England in the quinquarticular points, vindicated. London: printed for Benj. Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultrey, 1681. ESTC No. R16089. Grub Street ID 63973.
  • Bates, William. Proposals concerning the printing a volume of elaborate sermons upon the one hundred and nineteenth psalm. Preached in his life-time by that eminently learned and judicious divine, Thomas Manton, D.D. and now from his own manuscripts carefully perused by Dr. William Bates, &c. for the press. [London: for Thomas Parkhurst, Jonathan Robinson, Brabazon Aylmer, Benjamin Alsop, 1681]. ESTC No. R180299. Grub Street ID 71400.
  • Totum hominis: or The whole duty of a Christian, consisting in faith and good life. Abridged in certain sermons expounding Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians, Epist. 2. Chap. 1. Vers. 11, 12. By the late reverend and worthy Mr. Samuel Wales minister of the gospel at Morle in York-shire. 1627. London: printed by T.B. for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry over against the Counter, 1681. ESTC No. R41158. Grub Street ID 122875.
  • Bunyan, John. The holy war, made by Shaddai upon Diabolus, for the regaining of the metropolis of the world. Or, the losing and taking again of the town of Mansoul. By John Bunyan, the author of the Pilgrims progress. London: printed for Dorman Newman at the Kings Arms in the Poultry; and Benjamin Alsop at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1682. ESTC No. R20008. Grub Street ID 77630.
  • Shower, John. A sermon preacht upon the death of Mrs Anne Barnardiston, (daughter of Nathanael Barnardiston Esq; late of Hackney:) who departed this life the 30th day of Decemb. 1681. at the age of seventeen. With a brief account of some remarkable passages of her life and death. Published at the desire of her relations. London: printed by J[ames]. A[twood]. for Benjamin Alsop at the Angel and Bible, and John Dunton at the Black Raven, in the Poultrey, 1682. ESTC No. R5070. Grub Street ID 125549.
  • Somers, John Somers. The security of English-mens lives, or The trust, power, and duty of the grand jurys of England. Explained according to the fundamentals of the English government, and the declarations of the same made in Parliament by many statutes. Published for the prevention of popis designs against the lives of many Protestant lords and commoners, who stand firm to the religion and ancient government of England. London: printed for Benj. Alsop at the sign of the Angel and Bible over against the poultry counter, 1682. ESTC No. R10363. Grub Street ID 58742.
  • Boileau DesprĂ©aux, Nicolas. Le Lutrin: an heroick poem, written originally in French, by Monsieur Boileau: made English by N.O. London: printed by J.A. for Benjamin Alsop at the Angel and Bible in the Poultrey, 1682. ESTC No. R15698. Grub Street ID 63612.
  • Coxe, Nehemiah. A believers triumph over death, exemplified in a relation of the last hours of Dr Andrew Rivet. And an account of divers other remarkable instances. Being an history of the comfortable end, and dying words of several eminent men; with other occasional passages: all tending to comfort Christians against the fear of death and prepare them for a like happy change. London: printed for Benjamin Alsop at the Angel and Bible in the Poultrey, 1682. ESTC No. R27134. Grub Street ID 110333.
  • The compleat statesman, demonstrated in the life, actions, and politicks of that great minister of state, Anthony Earl of Shaftesbury: containing an historical account of his descent, his administration of affairs in the time of Oliver Cromwell, his unwearied endeavours to restore His most sacred Majesty, his zeal in prosecuting the horrid Popish Plot; several of his learned speeches during his being Ld. Chancellor, his two commitments to the Tower; the most material passages at his tryal: with many more considerable instances, unto His Lordships going for Holland. London: printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible, and Thomas Malthus, at the Sun in the Poultry, 1683. ESTC No. R35656. Grub Street ID 118035.
  • The womens advocate, or, Fifteen real comforts of matrimony being in requital of the late fifteen sham-comforts : with satyrical reflections on whoring, and the debauchery of this age written by a person of quality of the female sex. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop ... and Thomas Malthus ..., 1683. ESTC No. R43881. Grub Street ID 124724.
  • Bunyan, John. A case of conscience resolved. Viz. whether, where a church of Christ is situate, it is the duty of the women of that congregation, ordinarily, and by appointment, to separate themselves from their brethren, and so to assemble together, to perform some parts of divine worship, as prayer, &c. without their men? And the arguments made use of for that practice, examined. By John Bunyan. London: printed for Benj: Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultrey, 1683. ESTC No. R41305. Grub Street ID 122961.
  • A letter concerning the matter of the present excommunications. London: printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, over-against the church, 1683. ESTC No. R9567. Grub Street ID 129642.
  • Bunyan, John. The greatness of the soul, and unspeakableness of the loss thereof; with the causes of the losing it. First preached at Pinners Hall, and now enlarged, and published for good. By John Bunyan. London: printed for Ben. Alsop, at the sign of the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, MDCLXXXIII. [1683]. ESTC No. R37169. Grub Street ID 119414.
  • Marsin, M.. The womens advocate: or, fifteen real comforts of matrimony, being in requital of the late fifteen sham-comforts. With satyrical reflections on whoring, and the debauchery of this age. Written by a person of quality of the female sex. London: printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible; and Thomas Malthus, at the Sun in the Poultry, 1683. ESTC No. R228951. Grub Street ID 101567.
  • Poole, Matthew. Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with the parallel Scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened. Vol. I. By the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole. London: printed by John Richardson, for Thomas Parkhurst, Dorman Newman, Jonathan Robinson, Brabazon Ailmer, Thomas Cockeril, and Benjamin Alsop, M.DC.LXXXIII. [1683]. ESTC No. R39678. Grub Street ID 121554.
  • Fifteen real comforts of matrimony. Being in requital of the late fifteen sham-comforts. With satyrical reflections on whoring, and the debauchery of this age. Written by a person of quality of the female sex. Entred according to order. London: printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible; and Thomas Malthus, at the Sun in the Poultry, 1683. ESTC No. R34438. Grub Street ID 116962.
  • Williams, John. A sermon preached at the Northampton-Shire feast, November 8. 1683. Being the first general meeting of such citizens and inhabitants in London, as were born within that county. By John Williams, rector of St. Mildred's Poultry. London: printed by J.G. for Benjamin Alsop, at the sign of the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684. ESTC No. R7241. Grub Street ID 127521.
  • Bunyan, John. Seasonable counsel: or, Advice to sufferers. By John Bunyan. London: printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, MDCLXXXIV. [1684]. ESTC No. R3858. Grub Street ID 120655.
  • Essayes of natural experiments made in the Academie del cimento, under the protection of the most serene Prince Leopold of Tuscany. Written in Italian by the secretary of that academy. Englished by Richard Waller, Fellow of the Royal Society. London: printed for Benjamin Alsop at the Angel and Bible in the Poultrey, over-against the Church, 1684. ESTC No. R6541. Grub Street ID 126882.
  • Owen, John. Meditations and discourses on the glory of Christ, in his person, office, and grace: with the differences between faith and sight. Applied unto the use of them that believe. By the late Reverend John Owen, D.D. London: printed by A.M. and R.R. for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultrey over against the church, 1684. ESTC No. R32196. Grub Street ID 114935.
  • Poole, Matthew. Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with the parallel Scriptures. The more difficult terms in each verse are explained. Seeming contradictions reconciled. Questions and doubts resolved. And the whole text opened. Vol. I. By the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole. London: Printed by Robert Roberts, for Thomas Parkhurst, Dorman Newan, Jonathan Robinson, Brabazon Ailmer, Thomas Cockerill, and Benjamin Alsop, MDCLXXXVIII. [1688]. ESTC No. R33978. Grub Street ID 116530.