James Roberts (fl. 1569–1615)

ROBERTS (JAMES), bookseller and printer in London, 1569–1615; (i) Love and Death, Fleet Street; (2) Adjoining the little Conduit in Cheapside; (3) Barbican. Admitted a freeman of the Company of Stationers on June 27th, 1564, James Roberts began as a publisher of ballads. On December 3rd, 1588, a patent was granted to him and to Richard Watkins of the exclusive privilege of printing all almanacs and prognostications [Pat. Roll, 31 Eliz. pt. 10]. In 1593 he married the widow of John Charlewood, generally known as the Earl of Arundell’s man, who had been in business as a printer at the Half Eagle and Key in the Barbican since 1567, and who died early in that year. Charlewood’s copyrights were numerous and the printing house was well furnished with type blocks and devices. James Roberts’ chief claim to notice is as a printer of Shakespeare quartos. In 1600 he printed the first quarto of Titus Andronicus, and in 1604 the second quarto of Hamlet. As to the quartos of A Midsuninier Night's Dream and The Merchant of Venice which bear his imprint and the date 1600, but which were probably printed in 1619, see the Library, April, 1908, p. 113, etc. In or about 1608, James Roberts sold the business to William Jaggard. [Library, April, 1906, pp. 160–1.]