Publications of John Norton

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 John Norton

  • Constitutions, and canons ecclesiastical. Treated upon by the Bishop of London, President of the Convocation for the province of Canterbury, and the rest of the bishops and clergy of the said province; and greed [sic] upon with the Kings Majesties licence in their Synod begun at London, Anno Dom. 1603. And in the year of the reign of our soveraign Lord James, by the grace of God, King of England, France, and Ireland the first, and of Scotland the 37. And now published for the due observations of them, by his Majesties authority under the Great Seal of England. London: printed by John Norton, for Joyce Norton, and Richard Whitaker, at the Kings-Arms in S. Pauls Church-yard, 1633. [i.e. c. 1650?]. ESTC No. S92257. Grub Street ID 151034.
  • Shakespeare, William. The tragedie of King Richard the Third. Contayning his trecherous plots, against his brother Clarence: the pittifull murther of his inocent nepthewes [sic]: his tiranous vsurpation: with the whole course of his detested life, and most deserued death. As it hath beene lately acted by the Kings Maiesties Sernauts [sic]. Newly agmented [sic]. By William Shake-speare. London: Printed by Iohn Norton, and are to be sold by Mathew Law, dwelling in Pauls Church-yeard, at the signe of the Foxe, neere St. Austines gate, 1629. ESTC No. S111127. Grub Street ID 131045.
  • Shakespeare, William. The late, and much admired play, called Pericles, Prince of Tyre. With the true relation of the whole history, aduentures, and fortunes of the sayd prince: written by Will. Shakespeare:. London: Printed by I[ohn] N[orton] for R[obert] B[ird] and are to besould [sic] at his shop in Cheapside, at the signe of the Bible, 1630. ESTC No. S111198. Grub Street ID 131100.
  • Articles to be inquired of vvithin the diocesse of VVinchester in the trienniall visitation of the reuerend father in God, Richard, by the prouidence of God, Lord Bishop of Winton, in the yeere of our Lord God, 1631. London: Printed by John Norton, 1631. ESTC No. S2653. Grub Street ID 147023.
  • Constitutions and canons ecclesiasticall treated upon by the Bishop of London, president of the convocation for the province of Canterbury, and the rest of the bishops and clergy of the said province : and agreed upon with the Kings Majesties licence in their synod begun a London, anno Dom. 1603, and in the year of the reign of our soveraign Lord James, by the grace of God, King of England, France, and Ireland the first, and of Scotland the 37 : and now published for the due observation of them, by His Majesties authority under the Great Seal of England. London: Printed by John Norton, for Joyce Norton, and Richard Whitaker, at the Kings-arms in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1633. ESTC No. S2079. Grub Street ID 146480.
  • Constitutions and canons ecclesiastical treated upon by the Bishop of London, president of the convocation for the province of Canterbury, and the rest of the bishops and clergy of the said province : and agreed upon with the Kings Majesties licence in their synod begun at London, anno Dom. 1603, and in the year of the reign of our soveraign Lord James, by the grace of God, King of England, France, and Ireland the first, and of Scotland the 37 : and now published for the due observation of them, by His Majesties authority under the Great Seal of England. London: Printed by John Norton, for Joyce Norton, and Richard Whitaker, at the Kings-arms in S. Pauls Church-yard, 1633. ESTC No. S420. Grub Street ID 148280.
  • Constitutions and canons ecclesiastical; treated upon by the Bishop of London, President of the Convocation for the province of Canterbury, and the rest of the bishops and clergie of the said province. And agreed upon with the Kings Majesties licence in [their] Synod begun at London, Anno Dom. 1603. And in [the] year of the raign of our soveraign Lord James by the grace of God, King of England, France, and Ireland the first, and of Scotland, the 37. [And] now publ[i]sh[e]d for the due observation of them, by his [Majest]ies authority under the Great Seal of England. London: printed by John Norton, for Joyce Norton, and Richard Whitaker, and are to be sold at their shop, at the Kings Arms in Paul's Church-yard, 1633. ESTC No. S126492. Grub Street ID 145581.
  • Cranley, Thomas. Amanda: or, The reformed whore. Composed, and made by Thomas Cranley gent. now a prisoner in the Kings-bench, Anno Dom. 1635. Printed at London: [By J[ohn] Norton], and are to be sold at the golden Key [..], [1635]. ESTC No. S118905. Grub Street ID 138550.
  • Sampson, William. Virtus post funera viuit or, Honour tryumphing over death. Being true epitomes of honorable, noble, learned, and hospitable personages. By VVilliam Sampson. London: Printed by John Norton, 1636. ESTC No. S110636. Grub Street ID 130646.
  • Preston, John. Sermons preached before his Maiestie, and upon other speciall occasions. Viz. 1 The pillar and ground of truth ... 2 The new life ... 3 A sensible demonstration of the Deity ... 4 Exact walking ... 5 Samuels support of sorrowfull sinners ... By the late faithfull and worth minister of Iesus Christ, Iohn Preston, Dr. in Divinity, chaplaine in ordinary to his Maiesty, master of Emanuel College in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolnes Inne. London: Printed by John Norton for Anne Boler, and are to be sold at the Marigold in Pauls Church-yard, 1637. ESTC No. S115101. Grub Street ID 134796.
  • Byfield, Nicholas. The spirituall touch-stone, or, The signes of a godly man. Drawne in so plaine and profitable manner, as all sorts of Christians may trie themselves thereby. Together with directions, how the weak Christian, by the use of these signes, may establish his assurance. By Nicolas Byfield, late preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex. London: Printed by J. Norton, for Iohn Bellamy, 1637. ESTC No. S118321. Grub Street ID 137977.
  • Nowell, Alexander. A catechisme, or institution of Christian religion, to be learned of all youth, next after the little Catechisme appoynted in the booke of common prayer. London: Printed by I. N[orton] for the Company of Stationers, 1638. ESTC No. S110305. Grub Street ID 130380.
  • Hodges, John. Viaticum animæ or, VVholesome repast for the soule in her pilgrimage towards Ierusalem which is above. Prepared, and made ready, by the diligent search, & paynes of Iohn Hodges, priest, M. of Arts and vicar of Shakerstone in Leicester-Shire. London: printed by J. N[orton]. for G. W[ilne]. and are to bee sold at the signe of the Spurr, under S. Mildreds Church in the Poultrey, 1638. ESTC No. S125028. Grub Street ID 144318.
  • Fallowes, Edward. Fallows 1639 a new almanack and prognostication, for the year of our Lord God, 1639, being the third after leap-yeere, and after the 27 of March the 15 yeere of the raigne of our soveraigne lord King Charles : calculated for the meridian of the well governed citie of Couentree, and may serve generally for the most part of Great Brittaine, the pole being amounted above the horizon 52 deg. 54 min. by Edward Fallows ... London: Printed by I. Norton for the Company of Stationers, [1639]. ESTC No. S2421. Grub Street ID 146809.
  • Markham, Gervase. The souldiers grammar. Contayning the high, necessary, and most curious rules of the art militarie. As first, Whether it be in great motions in generall? Or foot motions especially. Or motions of horse, generall, or speciall? The ranges of foot or horse? The ranges of officers. The severall imbattailings of foot, and horse. The imbattailing of a regiment. The ioyning of many regiments. Or the forming of maine battailes, of any extent, or number; with their formes, and figures, in lively demonstration, &c. Printed at London: [by Iohn Norton] for [Iohn Bellamy, Hugh Perry, and] Henry Overton, and are to be sold at his shop in Popes-head alley, going into Lumbard Street, 1639. ESTC No. S1628. Grub Street ID 146050.
  • Swallow, John. Swallow an almanack for the yeare of our Lord God, 1641 being the first after bissextile or leape-yeare and from the worlds creation, 5590 : calculated properly for the famous university and town of Cambridge but may indifferently serve for any other place within this kingdome. London: Printed by J. Norton for the Company of Stationers, 1641. ESTC No. R33216. Grub Street ID 115858.
  • Preston, John. Two treatises, viz. The Christian freedome, and The deformed forme of a formall profession. By that late faithfull and worthy minister of Iesus Christ, John Preston, Doctor in Divinity, chaplaine in ordinary to his Majestie, Master of Emanuell Colledge in Cambridge, and sometimes preacher of Lincolnes Inne. London: printed by J[ohn]. N[orton]. for John Stafford, and are to be sold at his shop in Chancery-lane, over against the Roules, 1641. ESTC No. R6564. Grub Street ID 126900.
  • Milward, Matthias. The svvord-bearer, or, Magistrates charge. A sermon preached in the Chappell of Guild-Hall, at the election of the Lord Mayor. By Mathias Milward, Bachelor of Divinitie, Minister of Saint Hellens. London: printed by Iohn Norton for Samuel Man, dwelling at the Swan in Saint-Pauls Church-yard, 16[41]. ESTC No. R14639. Grub Street ID 62647.
  • Wilkins, John. Mercury, or The secret and svvift messenger: shewing, how a man may with privacy and speed communicate his thoughts to a friend at any distance. London: printed by I. Norton, for Iohn Maynard, and Timothy Wilkins, and are to be sold at the George in Fleetstreet, neere Saint Dunstans Church, 1641. ESTC No. R1665. Grub Street ID 64470.
  • Dove, Jonathan. Dove. An almanack for the yeare of our Lord God, 1641. Being the first after bissextile or leap-yeare, and from the worlds creation (according to Scaliger, Calvisius, Helvicus, and such others.) 5590. Calculated properly for the famous University, and towne of Cambridge, where the pole is elevated 52 degr. 17 min. London: printed by J[ohn]. Norton for the Company of Stationers, 1641. ESTC No. R172393. Grub Street ID 66268.
  • Crant, Thomas. The plott and progresse of the Irish rebellion. Wherein is discovered the Machavilian policie of the Earle of Straford, Sir George Ratcliffe and others. Shewing what countenance that rebellion hath had against the Protestants of England, (which doth now too manifestly appeare) by his Majesties granting a free and generall pardon to the rebells in Ireland. And authorizing the calling of a new Parliament in Ireland, according to the rebells desires. of late condiscended unto at Oxford. Printed and published according to order. London: printed by I. N[orton]. for Henry Twyford at the three Daggers in Fleet-street, 1644. ESTC No. R10644. Grub Street ID 58992.
  • Vines, Richard. The posture of Davids spirit when he was in a doubtfull condition. Opened in a sermon preached before the honourable House of Commons at Margarets Westminster, upon October 22. 1644. Being a day especially set apart for a publicke humiliation. By Richard Vines, minister of the Gospel at Weddington in the County of Warwick, and one of the Assembly of Divines. London: printed by I[ohn]. N[orton]. for Abel Roper, at the signe of the Sunne over against St. Dunstans Church in Fleet-street, 1644. ESTC No. R12676. Grub Street ID 60827.

Printed for John Norton

  • Napier, John. A plaine discoverie of the whole Revelation of Saint Iohn: set down in two treatises: the one searching and proving the true interpretation thereof. The other applying the same paraphrastically and historicallie to the text. Set forth by Iohn Napeir L. of Marchistoun younger. Whereunto are annexed certaine oracles of Sibylla, agreeing with the Revelation and other places of Scripture. [Edinburgh]: Printed [by Robert Waldegrave] for Iohn Norton dwelling in Paules Church-yarde, neere vnto Paules Schoole [, London], 1594. ESTC No. S113083. Grub Street ID 132827.
  • His Majesties declaration and command to all the trayned bands and others on the this side Trent, and dominion of Wales to be in readinesse with horse and arms to serve His Majesty for defence of the kingdome, and to be in such readinesse, that they may be able to march at 24 houres warning at the furthest. Signed with his royall signet at the court of York, and published by His Majesties speciall command. With the sheriffe of Yorkeshires propositions to the gentry and commonalty of that county. July 1. 1642. Likewise, a letter which came from Manchester, read in the House of Commons, concerning a great troop of horse lately come from York, under the command of the Lord Strange, and the Parliaments resolution concerning the same. Hen. Elsing Cler. Parl. D. Com. [London]: Iuly 6. printed for Iohn Norton, 1642. ESTC No. R213821. Grub Street ID 89178.