Publications of John Clowes

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.

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. Booksellers may also be 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 (or what we might call a wholesaler) rather than a copyright holder. Copyright owners may also be identified by the words printed for. 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.

He cautions, "The only way to avoid being misled is to regard any imprint which says a book is printed for a publisher as meaning it is sold by him" (5).

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 John Clowes

  • Perfect passages of every daies intelligence: from the Parliaments army, under the command of his Excellency the Lord General Cromwel. And other remarkable proceedings in England, Scotland, Ireland and other parts, &c. London [England]: printed by John Clowes over against the lower pump in Grub-streete without Cripplegate, 1650-[1652]. ESTC No. P1329. Grub Street ID 55148.
  • Plain English without either feare or flatterie; or, A delaration [sic] of the Kings Majestie, and the royall party, touching the proceedings of the Parliaments of England. With a discovery of the great and grand design, complotted by the said royalists, both against Parliament, Army, and kingdome. Examined by the originall copy, and appointed to be printed and published. Imprimatur Gilb. Mabbott. London: printed by J[ohn] C[lowes], 1648. ESTC No. R203334. Grub Street ID 80450.
  • A perfect svmmarie of chiefe passages in Parliament: and intelligence from other parts. London [England]: printed by Iohn Clowes, [1648]. ESTC No. P1044. Grub Street ID 54918.
  • Poujadie, Joseph. The apologie of Joseph Poujadie, minister of the French church in Canterbury, to the false and unjust accuasations of his adversaries (of the ... London: printed by J. Clowes, 1649. ESTC No. R181977. Grub Street ID 72344.
  • Dury, John. Considerations concerning the present engagement, whether it may lawfully be taken yea or no? Written at the desire of a friend in London, by John Dury. The third edition enlarged, with an answer to a further scruple offered by a letter out of the country. London: printed by J[ohn]. C[lowes]. for Richard Wodenothe, at the Starre under St. Peters Church in Cornhill, 1650. ESTC No. R24822. Grub Street ID 108573.
  • True intelligence from the head-quarters. Or the daily motions and proceedings of the army, under the Lord General Cromwel. With several other choice passages in relation to the Parliament and army of Scotland. ... London [England]: printed by J[ohn]. Clowes for N[athaniel], [sic] Brooks at the Angel in Cornhil, 1650. ESTC No. P1072. Grub Street ID 54944.
  • Strange nevves from the north. Containing a true and exact relation of a great and terrible earth-quake in Cumberland and Westmerland. With the miraculous apparition of three glorious suns that appeared at once. And other wonderful appearances that happened in Yorkeshire, of divers bodies of armed men marching, and riding through every town for twelve miles compass about Malton, with the strange accidents that befel the cattel therabout through fright thereof, to the admiration of many thousand beholders. Together with, the charge against Charles Howard Esquire Hig Sheriff of the county of Cumberland. Verefied by severall gentlemen of known and approved credit. London: printed by J. Clowes and are to be sold at the Royal Exchange and without Cripplegate, June 11. 1650. ESTC No. R205789. Grub Street ID 82431.
  • Dymock, Cressy. An invention of engines of motion lately brought to perfection. Whereby may be dispatched any work now done in England or elsewhere, (especially vvorks that require strength and swiftness) either by wind, water, cattel or men. And that with better accomodation, and more profit then by any thing hithero known and used. London: printed by I[ohn]. C[lowes]. for Richard Woodnoth next door to the Golden heart, in Leaden-Hall-street, 1651. ESTC No. R22183. Grub Street ID 95916.
  • God and his cloud of providences, calling and conducting his English Israel out of Egypt into Canaan, or a parallel, and its interpretation in four heads. Israels & our, servitude and bondage in Egypt England. Instruments miraculously raised up for Israel & us. Opposition made against Israel & us. Israel & our heartless motion towards Canaan. By J.M. desirous to bring up a good report of the good land. London: printed by J[ohn]. Clowes, & are to be sold by John Hancock at the entrance of Popes-Head-alley, 1652. ESTC No. R180218. Grub Street ID 71344.
  • The moderate publisher of every daies intelligence: from the Parliaments army, under the command of his Excellency the Lord General Cromwel: with other remarkable proceedings in England, Holland, France, Scotland, Ireland, and other parts. London [England]: printed by John Clowes, 1652 [i.e. 1653]-1653 [i.e. 1654]. ESTC No. P1331. Grub Street ID 55151.
  • Chamberlen, Peter. The declaration and proclamation of the army of God, owned by the Lord of Hosts in many victories. To all the good people of God throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland, &c. Whereunto is annexed 17 necessary proposals for the enthroning of Gods lawes, settling of good judges in every city, taking off the excise, and assesments; and payment of the souldiers, with the advancement of a free trade and manifacture, for the good of the poor in the three nations, without injury to any mans propriety; with security proffered of 500000 l. if the premises be accepted of by the Parliament and Army. London: printed by J. C[lowes]. for the author, 1659. ESTC No. R223416. Grub Street ID 97223.
  • Freeman, Lyon. The Common-wealths catechism. Published to inform the good and plain people of this Common-wealth, in arms, and out of arms, and to prevent the designes of hypocritical ambition. Humbly dedicated to the members of Parliament, and their General Monck. By Lyon Freeman. London: printed by John Clowes,, 1659. ESTC No. R209732. Grub Street ID 85960.

Printed for John Clowes

  • Prince Charles his message; sent from his court at St. Germans; March 27. 1648. to Mr. William Swan Lieutenant to the Governour of Dover-Castle. Concerning the seizing and maintaining of Dover-Castle, and all the forts and bulwarks thereunto belonging, for the Kings Majesty. Also, a coppy of the commission, sent from his Highnes to the said Lieutenant Swan, constituting (him in Majesties name) governour of the said castle, forts, and bulwarks. Together, with a coppy of the princes instructions to the said Mr. Swan, and his proposals, shewing in what manner he should declare for his royall father the King: with the princes promise touching the same. These papers were brought from his Highnesse Prince Charles, by Mr. W.B. written in characters, and sealed with the Princes seale, and signed, Charles P. London: printed for Iohn Clowes, 1648. ESTC No. R206273. Grub Street ID 82813.
  • Y., R.. A declaration and full narrative of the proceedings of Admirall Vantrump VVith the Dutch fleet at sea; his entring of Cales Bay: and the manner of the taking of ninety saile of the Hollanders ships by the English: with the proceedings of the French fleet therupon. Also a message to the English consull at the city of Venice, and Vantrumps letter to the Princes of Italy. Likewise, the Jesuits proceedings of the city of Genoa and a sermon preached, touching the heriticks of England, as they are pleased to call us. With other particulars of great concernment, in relation thereunto. London: printed for I. Clowes, Anno Dom. 1651. ESTC No. R208792. Grub Street ID 85013.
  • The tryall of traytors, or, The rump in the pound. Wherein is presented the lively shapes, and bloody actings of the chief of those grand traytors who subscribed to the horrid murder of that blessed martyr Charles the First, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King &c. London: printed for John CLowes and John Jones, 1660. ESTC No. R210810. Grub Street ID 86873.
  • Stedfast member of the Church of England.. The way to true peace, or A calm, seasonable, and modest word in love, to the Independent, phanaticks, Anabaptists, Presbyterians. Quakers, Papists, and Fifth Monarchists. With a protestation of supremacy that neither Anabaptist, Quaker, Independant, or Presbyterian can justly object against. By a stedfast member of the Church of England. London: printed for John Clowes, anno 1660. [i.e. 1661. ESTC No. R208038. Grub Street ID 84339.