Publications of James Adamson

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 James Adamson

  • Mankind displayed: or, the history of the little world: being a curious collection out of the best authors, of the most wonderful and remarkable things that have been performed by men and women, in the several ages of the world; together with select observations, philosophical precepts, maxims of state, &c. London: printed by H. C[lark]. and sold by James Adamson, at the Angel and Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard, 1690. ESTC No. R180282. Grub Street ID 71389.

Printed for James Adamson

  • Clement, Pope.. S. Clementis Epistolæ duæ ad Corinthios. Interpretibus Patricio Junio, Gottifredo Vendelino, & Joh. Bapt. Cotelerio. Recensuit & notarum spicilegium adjecit Paulus Colomesius, bibliothecæ Lambethanæ curator. Accedit Thomæ Brunonis canonici Windesoriensis Dissertatio de therapeutis Philonis. His subnexæ sunt epistolæ aliquot singulares, vel nunc primm editæ, vel non ita facil obviæ. Londini: impensis Jacobi Adamson ad insigne Angeli & Coronæ in Cœmeterio D. Pauli MDCLXXXVII. [1687]. ESTC No. R1417. Grub Street ID 62215.
  • Thévenot, Jean de. The travels of Monsieur de Thevenot into the Levant. In three parts. Viz. into I. Turkey. II. Persia. III. The East-Indies. Newly done out of French. Licensed, Decemb. 2. 1686. Ro. L'Estrange. London: printed by H. Clark, for H. Faithorne, J. Adamson, C. Skegnes, and T. Newborough, booksellers in St. Paul's Church-Yard, MDCLXXXVII. [1687]. ESTC No. R17556. Grub Street ID 68409.
  • Chillingworth, William. Mr. Chillingworth's book called The religion of Protestants a safe way to salvation, made more generally useful by omitting personal contests, but inserting whatsoever concerns the common cause of Protestants, or defends the Church of England. With an addition of some genuine pieces of Mr. Chillingworth's never before printed. Isaac. Casaub. in Ep. ad. Card. Perron. reg. Jac. nomine scripta. Rex arbitratur rerum absolut necessariarum ad salutem non magnum esse numerum. ... Atque istam distinctionem sereniss. Rex tanti putat esse momenti ad minuendas controversias, quæ hodie Ecclesiam Dei tantopere exercent, ut omnium pacis studiosorum judicet officium esse, diligentissm hanc explicare, docere, urgere. London: printed for R. Chiswell, at the Rose and Crown in S. Pauls Church-yard, C. Harper, at the Flower de-Luce in Fleetstreet, W. Crook, at the Green-Dragon without Temple-Bar, and J. Adamson at the Angel in S. Paul's Church-yard, 1687. ESTC No. R21891. Grub Street ID 93499.
  • Wharton, Henry. A treatise of the celibacy of the clergy, wherein its rise and progress are historically considered. London: printed by H. Clark, for James Adamson, at the Angel and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1688. ESTC No. R34741. Grub Street ID 117252.
  • Pecock, Reginald. A treatise proving Scripture to be the rule of faith. Writ by Reginald Peacock, Bishop of Chicester, before the Reformation, about the year MCDL. London: printed for James Adamson, at the Angel and Crown in S. Paul's Church-Yard, 1688. ESTC No. R1772. Grub Street ID 69408.
  • Colomis, Paul. Pauli Colomesii observationes sacræ. Editio secunda auctior & emendatior. Accedunt ejusdem paralipomena de scriptoribus ecclesiasticis, et passio S. Victoris Massiliensis ab eodem emendata. Editio quarta & ultima prioribus long auctior & emendatior. Londini: Impensis J. Adamson, ad insigne angeli & Coronæ in Cœmeterio D. Pauli, 1688. ESTC No. R38821. Grub Street ID 120873.
  • Maurice, Henry. Doubts concerning the Roman infallibility: I. Whether the Church of Rome believe it. II. Whether Jesus Christ or his Apostles ever recommended it. III. Whether the primitive church knew or used that way of deciding controversie. London: printed for James Adamson, at the Angel and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, MDCLXXXVIII. [1688]. ESTC No. R15937. Grub Street ID 63830.
  • Clagett, William. Several captious queries concerning the English Reformation, first proposed by Dean Manby (an Irish convert) in Latin, and afterwards by T.W. in English; briefly and fully answer'd. By the late reverend and learned Dr. Clagett, preacher to the Honourable Society of Grays-Inn, and chaplain in ordinary to His Majesty. London: printed by H. Clark, for James Adamson, at the Angel and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, MDCLXXXVIII. [1688]. ESTC No. R27257. Grub Street ID 110442.
  • Clagett, William. The queries offered by T.VV. to the Protestants concerning the English Reformation reprinted and answered. Imprimatur, Nov. 23. 1687. ... London: printed by H. Clark, for James Adamson, at the Angel and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1688. ESTC No. R63. Grub Street ID 126655.
  • Dalhusius, (Johannes Hermanus) Johannes H. The salvation of Protestants asserted and defended, in opposition to the rash and uncharitable sentence of their eternal damnation pronounc'd against them by the Romish Church. By J.H. Dalhusius, inspector of the churches, in the county of Weeden, upon the Rhine, &c. Newly done into English. London: printed for James Adamson, at the Angel and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1689. ESTC No. R1473. Grub Street ID 62725.
  • A brief historical account of the behaviour of the Jesuites and their faction, for the first twenty five years of Q. Elizabeth's reign. With an epistle of W. Watson, a secular priest, shewing, how they were thought of by the other Romanists of that time. London: printed for James Adamson, at the Angel and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1689. ESTC No. R6715. Grub Street ID 127036.
  • Gardiner, Samuel. A brief examination of the present Roman Catholick faith; contained in Pope Pius his new creed, by the Scriptures, antient fathers and their own modern writers, in answer to a letter, desiring satisfaction concerning the visibility of the protestant church and religion i all ages, especially before Luther's time. Imprimatur. Octob. 26. 1688. Guil. Needham. London: printed for James Adamson, at the Angel and Crown in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1689. ESTC No. R29489. Grub Street ID 112464.
  • La Martelire, Pierre de. The argument of Mr. Peter de la Marteliere, advocate in the Court of Parliament of Paris, made in Parliament, the chambers thereof being assembled, A.D. 1611. For the Rector and University of Paris, defendants and opponents, against the Jesuits demandants, and requiring the approbation of the letters patents which they had obtained, giving them power to read and to teach publickly in the aforesaid university. Translated out of the French copy, set forth by publick authority, and printed at London, 1612. Imprimatur. May 21. 1688. Liber cui titulus, The argument of Mr. de la Marteliere, &c. Guil. Needham. London: printed for James Adamson at the Angel and Crown in St. Paul's Church-yard, 1689. ESTC No. R2419. Grub Street ID 107996.
  • Hallywell, Henry. [An] improvement of the way of teaching the Latin tongue by the English; suited with variety of examples to each particular rule. To which is added, the way and manner of framing an oration in all its parts; with paradigms of short speeches upon several subjects, fitted for the use of young beginners. London: printed for J. Adamson, at the Angel and Crown in S. Paul's Churchyard, 1690. ESTC No. R216820. Grub Street ID 91683.
  • Beccadelli, Lodovico. Vita Reginaldi Poli, Cardinalis ac Cantuariensis Archiepiscopi; et aca disceptationis inter legatos Angliæ & Galliæ in concilio Constatiensi, de utriusque gentis dignitte & prærogativa; in conciliorum tomis desiderata. Libri rarissimi, olim quidem editi, sed paucis noti, a nullis facile obvii. Londini: recusi impensis Jacobi Adamson, ad insigne Angeli Coronigeri in Coemeterio D. Pauli, MDCXC. [1690]. ESTC No. R2893. Grub Street ID 111956.
  • Maurice, Henry. A defence of diocesan episcopacy, in answer to a book of Mr. David Clarkson, lately published, entituled, Primitive episcopacy. By Henry Maurice, D.D. London: printed by Hannah Clark, for James Adamson, at the Angel and Crown in St. Paul's Church Yard, 1691. ESTC No. R8458. Grub Street ID 128629.
  • Barker, Ralph. A sermon preached at St. Mary Le Bow, on Whitsunday, May xxxi. 1691. At the consecration of the Most Reverend Father in God, John Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, and primate of all England. By Ra. Barker, chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and fellow of Gonvil and Caius Colledge in Cambridge. London: printed for James Adamson at the Angel and Crown in S. Paul's Church-Yard, 1691. ESTC No. R17105. Grub Street ID 65436.
  • Lynford, Thomas. A sermon concerning the worship of God in private: preached before the Queen at White-Hall. June, 7th. 1691. By Tho. Lynford. D.D. Chaplain in Ordinary to their Majesties. Published by Her Majesties special command. London: printed for James Adamson at the Angel and Crown in S. Paul's Church-Yard, 1691. ESTC No. R38131. Grub Street ID 120264.
  • Hallywell, Henry. The excellency of moral vertue, from the serious exhortation of St. Paul to the practice of it. In several discourses upon Phil. 4. 8. To which is added, A discourse of sincerity, from John i. 47. By Henry Hallywell, Vicar of Cowfold, in Sussex. London: printed for James Adamson, at the Angel and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1692. ESTC No. R18059. Grub Street ID 71569.
  • Somers, John Somers. A discourse concerning generosity. London: printed by H. Clark, for James Adamson, at the Angel and Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1693. ESTC No. R221638. Grub Street ID 95764.
  • Jeffery, John. A sermon preached in the Cathedral Church of Norwich, at the Mayor's Guild, June xx. 1693. By John Jeffery, M.A. minister of S. Peter's of Mancroft in Norwich. London: printed for James Adamson, at the Angel and Crown in S. Paul's Church-Yard, 1693. ESTC No. R35426. Grub Street ID 117837.
  • Clement, Pope.. S. Clementis Epistolæ duæ ad Corinthios, interpretibus Patricio Junio, Gottifredo Vendelino, & Joh. Bapt. Cotelerio. Recensuit & notarum spicilegium adjecit Paulus Colomesius, bibliothecæ Lambethanæ curator. Accedit Thomæ Brunonis canonici Windesoriensis Dissertatio de therapeutis Philonis. His subnexæ sunt epistolæ aliquot singulares, vel nunc primm editæ, vel non ita facil obviæ. Editio iterata & emendata. Londini: impensis Jacobi Adamson, ad insigne Angeli & Coronæ in Cœmeterio D. Pauli, M DC XCIV. [1694]. ESTC No. R171387. Grub Street ID 65650.
  • Clement, Pope.. S. Clementis Epistolæ duæ ad Corinthios, interpretibus Patricio Junio, Gottifredo Vendelino, & Joh. Bapt. Cotelerio. Recensuit & notarum spicilegium adjecit Paulus Colomesius, bibliothecæ Lambetham curator. Accedit, Thomæ Brunonis canonici Windesoriensis dissertatio de therapeutis Philonis. His subnexæ sunt epistolæ aliquot singulares, vel nunc primm editæ, vel non ita facil obviæ. Londini: impensis Jacobi Adamson, ad insigne Angeli & Coronæ in Cœmeterio D. Pauli, M DC XCIV. [1694]. ESTC No. R214906. Grub Street ID 90055.
  • Clement, Pope. S. Clementis Epistolæ duæ ad Corinthios. Interpretibus P. Junio, G. Vendelino, J.B. Cotelerio. Recensuit & notarum spicilegium adjecit Paulus Colomesius, biblioth. Lambeth. Curator. Accedit, Thomae Brunonis, canonici Windesoriensis, Dissertatio de therapeutis Philonis. His subnexæ sunt epistolæ aliquot singulares, vel nunc primm editæ, vel non ita facil obviæ. Ut & ejusdem P. Colomesii Observationes sacræ; necnon Paralipomena de Scriptoribus ecclesiasticis; et Passio S. Victoris Massiiliensis [sic], ab eodem emendata. Londini: impensis Jaoobi [sic] Adamson, ad insigne Angeli & Coronæ in Cœmeterio D. Pauli, MDCXCV. [1695]. ESTC No. R1416. Grub Street ID 62206.