Publications of William Stansby

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 William Stansby

  • The apologie for the conformable ministers of England, for their subscription to the present church gouernement wherein is handled two things, the first is, that the setting vp of the primitiue church gouernement, vnder a Christian king is not a matter of necessitie, and this is prooued by twentie substantiall reasons : the second is, that the gouernement of the church as now it standeth, differeth not from the primitiue gouernement, but onely in one materiall and necessarie circumstance written by Iohn Freeman, minister of the Gospel. London: Printed by VV. Stansby for Nathaniel Butter, dwelling in Pauls Church-yard by Saint Austins Gate, 1609. ESTC No. S2677. Grub Street ID 147046.
  • The Muses gardin for delights, or the fift booke of ayres, onely for the lute, the base-vyoll, and the voyce. Composed by Robert Iones. London: Printed by [William Stansby] the assignes of William Barley, 1610. ESTC No. S122016. Grub Street ID 141576.
  • Du Moulin, Pierre. Oppositions of the VVord of God, together with the doctrine of the Romane Church. Moreouer, what points are held by the same Church, which she hideth from those whom shee meaneth to draw to her faction. Written by Peter Mouleine, minister of the word of God in Paris, and translated by A.S. London: Printed by William Stansby for Richard Moore, and are to be sold at his shop in Saint Dunstanes Church-yard in Fleete-streete, 1610. ESTC No. S111076. Grub Street ID 131001.
  • Chandos, Grey Brydges. A discourse against flatterie. London: Printed by Will. Stansby for Walter Burre, and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls Church-yard, 1611. ESTC No. S116952. Grub Street ID 136637.
  • Swinburne, Henry. A briefe treatise of testaments and last vvilles, very profitable to be vnderstoode of all the subiects of this realme of England, (desirous to know, whether, whereof, and how, they may make their testaments: and by what meanes the same may be effected or hindered,) and no lesse acceptable, aswell for the rarenesse of the worke, as for the easinesse of the stile, and method: compiled of such lawes ecclesiasticall and ciuill, as be not repugnant to the lawes, customes, or statutes of this realme, nor derogatorie to the prerogatiue royall. In which treatise also ar inserted diuers statutes of this land ... besides diuers marginall notes, and quotations not to be neglected ... with two tables, the one analyticall ... The other alphabeticall ... Newly corrected and augmented with sundry principall additions by the industrie of Henry Swinburn, iudge of the prerogatiue court of the Lord Archibishop of Yorke, and Bachelour of the Ciuill Lawe. Printed at London: [By William Stansby? and Thomas Snodham] for the Companie of Stationers, 1611. ESTC No. S118063. Grub Street ID 137726.
  • Webbe, George. The path-way to honor. Declaring the honorable estate of those that feare the Lord. And the vile and damnable estate of those that are contemners of the Word. Preached at Paules Crosse, June 21. Anno Domini 1612. By George Webbe Master of Arts, and preacher of Gods word at steeple Ashton in Wiltshire. [London]: Imprinted by W. S[tansby] for Ralphe Mabbe, and are to be sold at his shop in Paules Church-yard, at the signe of the Angell, 1612. ESTC No. S111611. Grub Street ID 131414.
  • For the colony in Virginea Britannia. Lavves diuine, morall and martiall, &c. Printed at London: [By William Stansby] for Walter Burre, 1612. ESTC No. S111283. Grub Street ID 131161.
  • The glasse of vaine glorie. With sundry Christian prayers added thereunto. London: printed by W Stansby, for E. Wright, 1612. ESTC No. S125868. Grub Street ID 145082.
  • Dove, John. The conuersion of Salomon. A direction to holinesse of life; handled by way of commentarie vpon the whole booke of Canticles. Profitable for yong men which are not yet mortified, for old men which are decrepit, and haue one foote in the graue, and for all sorts of men which haue an intent to renounce the vanities of this world and to follow Iesus Christ. By Iohn Doue Doct. of Diuinitie. London: Printed by W. Stansby for Iohn Smethwick, and and are to bee sold at his shop in S. Dunstones Church-yard, 1613. ESTC No. S110104. Grub Street ID 130231.
  • Nyndge, Edward. A true and fearefull vexation of one Alexander Nyndge: being most horribly tormented with the deuill, from the 20. day of Ianuary, to the 23. of Iuly. At Lyering well in Suffocke: with his prayer afer his deliuerance. Written by his owne brother Edvvard Nyndge Master of Arts, with the names of the witnesses that were at his vexation. Imprinted at London: [by W. Stansby] for W. B[arrett?], and are to bee sold by Edvvard Wright at Christ-Church gate, 1615. ESTC No. S110306. Grub Street ID 130381.
  • Norden, John. A pensiue soules delight. Or, The deuout mans helpe. Consisting of motiues, meditations and prayers, for all persons and purposes, vpon what occasion so euer, either priuate or publike. By Iohn Norden. London: Printed by Will. Stansby, for Iohn Busby, and are to be sold at his shop in S. Dunstanes Churchyard in Fleetstreete, 1615. ESTC No. S120793. Grub Street ID 140421.
  • Niccols, Richard. Monodia or Walthams complaint, vpon the death of that most vertuous and noble ladie, late deceased, the Lady Honor Hay, sole daughter and heire to the Right Honorable Edward, Lord Dennie, Baron of Waltham, and wife to the Right Honourable Iames Lord Hay. By R.N. Oxon. London: Printed by W[illiam] S[tansby] for Richard Meighen and Thomas Iones, and are to be sold at their shop without Temple-barre vnder S. Clements Church, 1615. ESTC No. S110161. Grub Street ID 130276.
  • Jonson, Ben. The workes of Beniamin Ionson. Imprinted at London: By Will Stansby, an? D. 1616. ESTC No. S111817. Grub Street ID 131591.
  • Jonson, Ben. The workes of Beniamin Ionson. London: printed by W: Stansby, and are to be sould by Rich: Meighen, An? D. 1616. ESTC No. S112455. Grub Street ID 132217.
  • Rathborne, Aaron. The surueyor in foure bookes by Aaron Rathborne. London: Printed by W: Stansby for, W: Burre, 1616. ESTC No. S116149. Grub Street ID 135840.
  • Hooker, Richard. Of the lawes of ecclesiastical politie, eight bookes by Richard Hooker. London: Printed by Will: Stansby [for Henrie Fetherstone], and are to be sold by Mat: Lownes, A[n]no D 1617 [i.e. 1618]. ESTC No. S119092. Grub Street ID 138737.
  • Shakespeare, William. The tragedy of Hamlet Prince of Denmarke. Newly imprinted and inlarged, according to the true and perfect copy lastly printed. By William Shakespeare. London: printed by W[illiam]. S[tansby]. for Iohn Smethwicke, and are to be sold at his shop in Saint Dunstans Church-yard in Fleetstreet: vnder the Diall, [between 1619 and 1623?]. ESTC No. S111101. Grub Street ID 131021.
  • The summe of sacred diuinitie first briefly & methodically propounded: and then more largly & cleerely handled and explaned published by John Downame Batchelorin diuinitie. London: printed by Willi: Stansby. for William Barret, [1620?]. ESTC No. S5191. Grub Street ID 149016.
  • Seneca, Lucius Annaeus. The workes of Lucius Annæus Seneca newly inlarged and corrected by Thomas Lodge D.M.P. London: printed by Willi: Stansby, [1620]. ESTC No. S117064. Grub Street ID 136739.
  • Hall, Joseph. The honor of the married clergie, maintayned against the malicious challenges of C.E. Masse-priest: or, The apologie written some yeeres since for the marriage of persons ecclesiasticall, made good against the cauils of C.E. pseudo-Catholike priest. In three books. By Ios. Hall, D. of Diuin. Deane of Worcest. London : printed by W. S[tansby] for N. Butter, 1620. ESTC No. S92842. Grub Street ID 151496.
  • Hieron, Samuel. The workes of Mr Sam. Hieron late pastor of Modbury in Deuon. The second volume. London: Printed by Wi: Stansby and are to be sold by I. Parker, [1620?]. ESTC No. S119608. Grub Street ID 139248.
  • Fitz-Geffry, Charles. Deaths sermon unto the liuing. Delivered at the funerals of the religious ladie Philippe, late wife vnto the Right Worshipfull Sr. Anthonie Rous of Halton in Cornwall Knight. By Charles Fitz-Geffry. London: printed by Wiliam Stansby for Iohn Mungwell, 1620. ESTC No. S125388. Grub Street ID 144630.
  • Smith, Thomas. The common-vvealth of England, and the maner of gouernement thereof. Compiled by the honourable Sir Thomas Smith, Knight, Doctor of both lawes, and one of the principall secretaries vnto two most worthy princes, King Edward, and Queene Elizabeth. With new additions of th chiefe courts in England, and the offices thereof by the said author. Also a table added thereto, of all the principall matters contained in this treatise. London: printed by VVilliam Stansby for Iohn Smethwicke, and are to be sold at his shop in S. Dunstanes Church-yard, vnder the Dyall, 1621. ESTC No. S117649. Grub Street ID 137318.
  • Hooker, Richard. Of the lawes of ecclesiastical politie, eight bookes by Richard Hooker. London: printed by William Stansbye, [1622]. ESTC No. S119108. Grub Street ID 138754.
  • Hooker, Richard. Of the lawes of ecclesiastical politie, eight bookes by Richard Hooker. London: Printed by Will: Stansby, and are to be sold by Mat: Lownes, A[n]no D 1617. [i.e. 1622]. ESTC No. S119104. Grub Street ID 138750.
  • A true report of all the burials and christnings within the citie of London and the liberties thereof, from the 23. of December, 1602 to the 22. of December 1603 whereunto is added the number of burialls in euery seuerall parish, from the 14. of Iuly, to the 22. of December, within the citie of London, and the liberties thereof adioyning to the same : according to the weekly reports made to the Kings Most Excellent Maiestie / by the Company of Parish Clarkes of London. London: Printed by William [Stansby .., 1625]. ESTC No. S904. Grub Street ID 149774.
  • The assize of bread together with sundry good and needfull ordinances for bakers, brewers, inholders, victualers, vintners, and butchers : and also other assizes in weights and measures, which by the lawes of this realme, are commanded to bee obserued and kept by all manner of persons, as well within liberties as without : whereunto there are also added, sundrie good and needfull orders, in making and retayling of all kinds of lawfull breads, vendible vnto His Maiesties subiects in the common-wealth, agreeing with the statutes, lawes, and ancien[t] orders and customes of this realme of England ... : newly corrected and enlarged from twelue pence the quarter of wheate, vnto three pound and sixe pence the quarter according to the rising and falling of the price thereof in the market by sixe pence altring in euery quarter of wheate ... London: Printed by William Stansby, and are to be sold by Iohn Grismand in Pawles Alley at the Signe of the Gun, 1626. ESTC No. S1045. Grub Street ID 130080.
  • Ovid. Ovid's Metamorphosis Englished by G.S. Imprinted at London: [by William Stansby], MDCXXVI [1626]. ESTC No. S121917. Grub Street ID 141479.
  • Sidney, Philip. The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia. Written by Sir Philip Sidney Knight. London: Printed by W[illiam] S[tansby, Humphrey Lownes, and Robert Young] for Simon Waterson, 1627 [i.e. 1628]. ESTC No. S117301. Grub Street ID 136974.
  • Sidney, Philip. The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia. Written by Sir Philip Sidney Knight. Now the seuenth time published, with some new additions. With the supplement of a defect in the third part of this history, by Sir W.A. Knight. Whereunto is now added a sixth booke, by R.B. of Lincolne Inne, Esq. London: Printed by [William Stansby,] H[umphrey] L[ownes] and R[obert] Y[oung] and are sold by R. Moore in S. Dunstons Churchyard, 1629. ESTC No. S117297. Grub Street ID 136969.
  • Bernard, Richard. The common catechisme, with a commentary therevpon, by questions and answers, following the verie words, as they lie in their order without alteration. A profitable way, as also verie easie, and so likewise pleasant both to the teacher and learner, as by experience will be found true. By Richard Bernard, pastor at Batcomb. London: Printed by W. Sta[nsby] for Samuel Man, at the Swanne in Pauls Church-yard, 1630. ESTC No. S119253. Grub Street ID 138895.
  • Hooker, Richard. Of the lawes of ecclesiastical politie, eight bookes by Richard Hooker. London: printed by William Stansbye - and are to be sold by George Lathum, [1632]. ESTC No. S119129. Grub Street ID 138773.
  • White, John. White 1633. A new almanack and prognostication, for the yeare of our Lord God 1633. Being the nextt after the leape yeare. Calculated for the meridian of the most honorable citie of London, and will serue generally for the monarchie of Great Britaine. By Iohn White, wel-willer to the mathematickes. London: printed by W. S[tansby and A. Mathewes]. for the Companie of Stationers, [1633]. ESTC No. S90263. Grub Street ID 149687.
  • The vvhole booke of Psalmes. Collected into English meeter, by Thomas Sternhold, Iohn Hopkins, and others, conferred with the Hebrew, with apt notes to sing them withall. Set forth and allowed to be sung in all churches, of all the people together, before and after morning and euening prayer, as also before and after sermons, and moreouer in priuate houses, for their godly solace and comfort, laying apart all vngoldy songs and ballads, which tend onely to the nourishment of vice, and corrupting of youth. London: printed by W. S[tansby]. for the Company of Stationers, 1634. ESTC No. S124342. Grub Street ID 143725.
  • Swinburne, Henry. A briefe treatise of testaments and last vvils, very profitable to be vnderstood of all the subiects of this realme of England, (desirous to know, whether, whereof, and how, they may make their testaments: and by what meanes the same may be effected or hindered,) and no lesse acceptable, aswell for the rarenesse of the worke, as for the easinesse of the stile and method. Compiled of such lawes ecclesiasticall and ciuill, as be not repugnant to the lawes, customes, or statutes of this realme, nor derogatorie to the prerogatiue royall. In which treatise also are inserted diuers statutes of this land, together with mention of sundry customes, as well generall as particular; not impertinent thereto. By Henry Swinburne, sometime judge of the prerogatiue court of Yorke newly corrected and augmented, with necessary tables. London: Printed by W[illiam]. S[tansby and Thomas Harper]. for the Company of Stationers, 1635. ESTC No. S118068. Grub Street ID 137731.
  • Allestree. 1636. A new almanacke and prognostication, for the yeere of our Lord God, 1636. and from the creation, 5598. which is the bissextile yeere. Calculated and properly referred to the longitude and sublimity of the Pole Artick, of 51. deg 32. m and may generally serue for the whole ile of Great Britaine. By Rich. Allestree. London: printed by W. Stansby, for the Company of Stationers, [1636]. ESTC No. S1039. Grub Street ID 130072.

Printed for William Stansby

  • The policy of the Turkish empire. The first booke. London: Printed by Iohn Windet for W[illiam] S[tansby] and are to be soulde at Powles Wharfe at the signe of the Crosse Keyes, 1597. ESTC No. S118698. Grub Street ID 138349.
  • East, Michael. The seventh set of bookes, wherein are duos for two base viols, so composed, though there be but two parts in the eye, yet there is often three or foure in the eare. Also fancies of 3. parts for two treble viols, and a base violl: so made, as they must be plaid and not sung. Lastly, ayerie fancies of 4 parts, that may be as well sung as plaid. Lately set out by Michael East, Bachelor of Musicke, and master of the choristers in the cathedrall church of Litchfield. London: Printed [by T. Harper] for William Stansby, and George Latham, 1638. Cum priuilegio. ESTC No. S121371. Grub Street ID 140962.