Publications of William Osborne

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 William Osborne

  • The fairing; or, a golden toy for children of all sizes and denominations. In which they may see all the fun of the fair, and at home be as happy as if they were there. Adorned with variety of cuts from original drawings. London: printed for W Osborne & T. Griffin, 1782. ESTC No. N31494. Grub Street ID 20381.
  • Gay, John. Fables by the late Mr. Gay. In one volume complete. London: printed for W. Osborn, & T. Griffin in Holborn, and J. Mozley in, Gainsbrough, MDCCLXXXIV. [1784]. ESTC No. T13863. Grub Street ID 186495.
  • Little Jack Horner's wonderful history, of birds, beasts, fishes, insects, and reptiles, adorned with a set of fine cuts: . A new edition.. London: printed for W. Osborne and T. Griffin, and J. Mozley, Gainsbrough, 1786. ESTC No. N19477. Grub Street ID 8896.
  • The history of little Goody Two-Shoes, otherwise called Mrs. Margery Two-Shoes. . London: printed for W. Osborn and J. Griffin; and J. Mozley, Gainsbrough, 1786. ESTC No. N7531. Grub Street ID 52469.
  • Aesop. Select fables of Esop and other fabulists in three books. By R. Dodsley. A new edition.. London: printed for Willm. Osborne & Jno. Mozely, Gainsborough, [1788?]. ESTC No. N21716. Grub Street ID 11072.
  • Lowth, Robert. A short introduction to English grammar: with critical notes. A new edition, corrected.. London]: Printed for William Osborne, 1791. ESTC No. N22813. Grub Street ID 12171.
  • Watts, Isaac. Hymns and spiritual songs. In three books. ... By I. Watts, D.D. A new edition.. London: printed for W. Osborne, T. Griffin: and J. M. Mozley and Co. Gainsbro', 1792. ESTC No. N17148. Grub Street ID 6614.
  • Enfield, William. The speaker; or, miscellaneous pieces, selected from the best English writers, and disposed under proper heads, with a view to facilitate the improvement of youth, in reading and speaking. To which is prefixed an essay on elocution. By W. Enfield, LL.D. Lecturer of the belles lettres in the Academy at Warrington. A new edition, corrected.. London: printed for William Osborne, M.DCC.XCVIII. [1798]. ESTC No. T199915. Grub Street ID 231797.