Publications of J. Bell

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 the seller and printer roles in combination, or an absence of the printer's name following "London: printed:" or "London: printed,":

  1. "printed and sold by x"; or "printed for and sold by x"; or "printed by and for x"; or "printed: and sold by x"; or "printed, and sold by x";  and so on.

On this last point, trade publishers may seem to have "printed" or "published" the work, though they did not own the copyright. The lists below reflect only the information on the imprint, except where ESTC provides extra information.

See also "The Meaning of the Imprint."

Printed for J. Bell

  • Mair, John. An introduction to Latin syntax: or an exemplification of the rules of construction, as delivered in Mr Ruddiman's Rudiments, ... To which is subjoined, an epitome of ancient history, ... By John Mair, A.M. Edinburgh: printed for J. Bell and W. Creech, 1779. ESTC No. N28853. Grub Street ID 18054.
  • Fergusson, Robert. Poems on various subjects, by Robert Fergusson. In two parts. Edinburgh: printed by T. Ruddiman: for J. Bell, J. Dickson, W. Creech, C. Elliot, P. Anderson, and J Simpson, M,DCC,LXXXII. [1782]. ESTC No. N12105. Grub Street ID 2120.
  • Mair, John. Arithmetic, rational and practical: Wherein The Properties of Numbers are clearly pointed out; the Theory of the Science deduced from first Principles; the Methods of Operation demonstratively explained; and the whole reduced to Practice in a great variety of useful Rules. Consisting of three parts, viz. I. Vulgar arithmetic. II. Decimal arithmetic. III. Practical arithmetic. By John Mair, A. M. Rector of the Academy at Perth. Edinburgh: printed for John Bell and William Creech; and sold by T. Longman, G. G. J. & J. Robinson, T. Cadell, C. Dilly, and Richardson & Urquhart, London, M.DCC.LXXXVI. [1786]. ESTC No. N29909. Grub Street ID 18914.