Publications of Henry Curll

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 Henry Curll

  • di Marco, Corolini. Lemuel Gulliver's travels into several remote nations of the world. Compendiously methodized, for publick benefit; with observations and explanatory notes throughout. London: [by H. Curll], Printed in the Year MDCCXXVI. [1726]. ESTC No. T108502. Grub Street ID 161387.

Printed for Henry Curll

  • Jacob, Giles. The rape of the smock. An heroi-comical poem. In two books. By Mr. Jacob. London: printed for H. Curll, over-against Catherine-Street in the Strand, [1727][1726]. ESTC No. T71504. Grub Street ID 295066.
  • Rose, Philip, M.D. An essay on the small-pox; whether natural, or inoculated. ... By Philip Rose, ... London: printed for H. Curll, 1727. ESTC No. T33412. Grub Street ID 263965.
  • La Motte. Æsop at court: or, a century of new fables. Representing, a thorough knowledge of the world, in the several scenes of the court, the camp, and the city. London: printed for H. Curll, 1727. ESTC No. T211051. Grub Street ID 238877.
  • Davies, John. The soul. A poem. Shewing, its divine original, nature, and immortality. With an introduction concerning human knowledge. Written by Sir John Davies, ... London: printed for H. Curll, 1727. ESTC No. N37175. Grub Street ID 25129.
  • Richards, Thomas. Hog-land: or, a description of Hampshire. A mock heroic poem in answer to Mr. Holdsworth's Muscipula. By Mr. Richards ... London: printed [for Henry Curll] in the year, 1728 [1727]. ESTC No. T76309. Grub Street ID 298794.
  • Pattison, William. The poetical works of Mr. William Pattison, late of Sidney College Cambridge. London: printed in the year MDCCXXVIII [i.e. 1727] For H. Curll in the Strand, [1727]. ESTC No. T115475. Grub Street ID 167213.
  • Coffee: a tale. London: printed for H. Curle [sic, for Curll], 1727. ESTC No. N27164. Grub Street ID 16438.
  • Burnet, Thomas. Of the state of the dead. Translated from the Latin of Dr. Burnet. With an answer to all the heresies therein contained. By Mr. Earbery. Part II. London: printed for H. Curll, 1727. ESTC No. N69448. Grub Street ID 50491.
  • Le Clerc, Jean. I. Remarks upon Mr. Addison's travels. II. A supplement to Sir William Temple's observations on the Netherlands. Written in French by Monsieur Le Clerc, Translated by Mr. Theobald. London: printed for H. Curll, over-against Catherine-Street in the Strand, 1727. ESTC No. N35092. Grub Street ID 23379.
  • Pattison, William. An epistle to His Majesty, on his accession to the throne. By William Pattison, ... London: printed for H. Curll, 1727. ESTC No. N843. Grub Street ID 53337.
  • Burnet, Thomas. Thomas Burnett, D.D. Of the state of the dead, and of those that are to rise. Translated from the Latin. With remarks upon each chapter, and an answer to all the heresies therein. By Matthias Earbery, Presbyter of the Church of England. London: printed for H. Curll, in the Strand, MDCCXXVII. [1727]. ESTC No. T103395. Grub Street ID 157022.
  • The altar of love. Consisting of poems, and other miscellanies. By the most eminent hands. Now first collected into a volume. London: printed for H. Curll, 1727. ESTC No. T162561. Grub Street ID 201314.
  • Mehmet, Ludwig Maximilian. Some memoirs of the life of Lewis Maximilian Mahomet, Gent. late servant to his Majesty. With a true copy of his, peculiarly remarkable, last will and testament. Containing, I. His Confession of Faith. II. His Acknowledgment of Royal Favours. III. The just Disposition of his Effects. Written by himself. London: printed for H. Curll, in the Strand, MDCCXXVII. [1727]. ESTC No. T75037. Grub Street ID 297829.
  • The gentleman fisher: or, the whole art of angling. Being a collection and improvement of all that has been hitherto written upon this subject: with many New Experiments. Shewing The different Ways of Angling, and the best Methods of taking all Kinds of Fresh-Water Fish. To which are added, the laws of angling. London: printed for H. Curll, over-against Catherine-Street in the Strand, [1727]. ESTC No. T96295. Grub Street ID 315751.
  • Castillo Sol-rzano, Alonso de. Spanish amusements: or, the adventures of that celebrated courtezan Seniora Rufina call'd, the pole-cat of Seville. Being, A Detection of the Artifices used be such of the Fair Sex, as aim more at thy Purses, than at the Hearts of their Admirers. In Six Novels. I. The Miser punished. II. The Unfortunate Rivals. III. The Beautiful Jilt. IV. The Amorous Priest. V. The Artful Lover. VI. The Religious Libertines. London: printed for H. Curll in the Strand, [1727]. ESTC No. T89212. Grub Street ID 309129.
  • The altar of love. Consisting of poems, and other miscellanies. By the most eminent hands. Now first collected into a volume. London: printed for H. Curll, 1727. ESTC No. T71498. Grub Street ID 295059.
  • An apology for the writings of Walter Moyle, Esq; in answer to the groundless aspersions of Mr. Hearne of Edmund Hall Oxon, and Dr. Woodward of Gresham College London. With a Word or Two Concerning the frivolous Cavils of Messieurs Whiston and Woolston relating to the Thundering Legion. London: printed [for Henry Curll], in the Year M.DCC.XXVII. [1727]. ESTC No. T71500. Grub Street ID 295063.
  • Gulliver, Captain.. The Totness address transversed. By Captain Gulliver. To which is added, Somewhat beside. London: printed for H. Curll, 1727. ESTC No. T71507. Grub Street ID 295068.
  • The altar of love. Consisting of poems, and other miscellanies. By the most eminent hands. Now first collected into a volume. London: printed for H. Curll in the Strand, M.DCC.XXVII. [1727]. ESTC No. N16452. Grub Street ID 6088.
  • Burnet, Thomas. Thomas Burnett, D.D. Of the state of the dead, and of those that are to rise. Translated from the Latin. ... By Matthias Earbery, ... London: printed for H. Curll, 1727-28. ESTC No. T200896. Grub Street ID 232396.
  • The altar of love. Consisting of poems, and other miscellanies. By the most eminent hands. Now first collected into a volume. London: printed for H. Curll in the Strand, M.DCC.XXVII. [1727]. ESTC No. N16464. Grub Street ID 6099.
  • The altar of love. Consisting of poems, and other miscellanies. By the most eminent hands. Now first collected into a volume. London: printed for H. Curll, 1727. ESTC No. N16485. Grub Street ID 6101.
  • Butler, Mrs. Sarah. Milesian tales: or, instructive novels for the happy conduct of life. ... Written by Mrs. Butler. London: printed for H. Curll, 1727. ESTC No. T173091. Grub Street ID 210396.
  • The northern heroine. Being authentick memoirs of the late Czarina, Empress of Russia. Containing I. An account of her extraction, ... II. An exact pedigree of the Czar's family, ... III. Verses on her death, by Aaron Hill, Esq;. London: printed for H. Curll, 1727. ESTC No. T75178. Grub Street ID 297959.
  • Parker, Samuel. Bp. Parker's history of his own time, in four books. With Remarks upon each, and the same compared with Bishop Burnet, Mr. Archdeacon Echard, Bevil Higgons Esq; F. Orleans and other Historians who have wrote of that Period. To which are added, two original journals of the expeditions to Spain and France, during the reign of King Charles I. Now first published from the curious Collection of Manuscripts of the Right Honourable George Lord Lansdowne. With an impartial account of Parker's life, and of his conversion from presbytery to popery. London: printed for H. Curll in the Strand, M.DCC.XXVIII. [1728]. ESTC No. T87452. Grub Street ID 307494.
  • Sewell, George. Posthumours works of Dr. George Sewell, Late of Hampstead, Physician. Viz. I. The tragedy of King Richard the First. II. An essay on the usefulness of snails in medicine. III. Two moral essays, on the government of the thoughts, and on death. To which are added, poems on several occasions, publishe in his life-time. London: printed for Henry Curll in Clement's-Inn, M.DCC.XX.VIII. [1728]. ESTC No. T147653. Grub Street ID 194195.
  • The lives and last wills and testaments of the following eminent persons. I. Dr. Gilbert Burnet, ... II. Dr. Thomas Burnet, ... III. Dr. George Hickes, ... IV. Dr. Daniel Williams, ... V. Joseph Addison ... VI. Mr. Mahomet, ... With several other valuable tracts, now first collected into a volume. London: printed for H. Curll, 1728. ESTC No. T99276. Grub Street ID 318425.
  • Surrey, Henry Howard. The praise of Geraldine, (a Florentine lady.) Being, the celebrated love poems of the Right Honourable Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter; who was beheaded by King Henry Viii, in the Year 1546. Also the poetical recreations of Sir Thomas Wyate, Called. The Delight of the Muses. London: printed for Henry Curll in Clement's-Inn-Passage, 1728. ESTC No. T114865. Grub Street ID 166650.
  • Roman, Edward. The gentleman's and builder's director: or, a key that openeth to your sight at once, brick work Ready reduced to your Hands, Of Any Number, Feet, or Thickness, from 1 Foot 4624 Feet, and so on, ad Infinitum. By Edward Roman, bricklayer. London: printed for H. Curll, in Burghley-Street, in the Strand, [1734]. ESTC No. T129807. Grub Street ID 179197.

Printed by and for, or by/for and sold by Henry Curll

  • Ker, John. The memoirs of John Ker, of Kersland in North Britain Esq; Containing his secret transactions and negotiations in Scotland, England, the Courts of Vienna, Hanover, and other Foreign Parts. With An Account of the Rise and Progress of the Ostend Company in the Austrian Netherlands. Published by himself. London: [for Henry Curll], Printed in the Year M.DCC.XXVI. [1726]. ESTC No. T110732. Grub Street ID 163228.
  • di Marco, Corolini. The brobdingnagians. Being a key to Gulliver's voyage to Brobdingnag. In a second letter to Dean Swift. London: printed [by H. Curll] in the year MDCCXXVI. [1726]. ESTC No. T2487. Grub Street ID 257726.
  • Ker, John. The memoirs of John Ker, of Kersland in North Britain Esq; containing his secret transactions and negotiations in Scotland, England, the Courts of Vienna, Hanover, and other Foreign Parts. With An Account of the Rise and Progress of the Ostend Company in the Austrian Netherlands. Published by himself. London: [for Henry Curll], printed in the Year M.DCC.XXVI. [1726]. ESTC No. T111120. Grub Street ID 163563.