Publications of Joshua Conyers

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), or an obfuscation of the actual printer's name (e.g., "London: printed, and sold by x"):

  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 (see, e.g. Mary Cooper). 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 for Joshua Conyers

  • Stereometrical propositions: variously applicable; but particularly intended for gageing. By Robert Anderson. London: printed by William Godbid for Joshuah Conniers at the sign of the Black Raven in Duck-lane, 1668. ESTC No. R10482. Grub Street ID 58851.
  • A new and perfect relation of the takeing and apprehending five pyrates, viz. P.F. J.M. J.F-G. Irish-men. I.G. and I.F. English-men. That stole a merchants ship in Amsterdam; and having her at sea, they killed all the men that were aboard the ship, and brought her to Ireland, and there sold her merchants goods. Together with their tryals, speeches, and confessions at the place of execution; as they, were truly gathered by one that was present at their tryals and execution. By D.M. London]: Printed for I. Conniers, in Duck-Lane, [1670. ESTC No. R214004. Grub Street ID 89338.
  • An elegy on the Right Reverend Father in God Humphry, Lord Bishop of London, who departed this life the 7th of October, 1675. London: printed for J. C[onyers]., anno Domini 1675. ESTC No. R176016. Grub Street ID 68694.
  • Diana's darling, or The modish courtier. The fair Diana whom the amorous swains, had strove to vanquish with a deal of pains, at last by Hylas modish courtship prest, grants him that favour she deny's the rest, by whose example future lovers may, learn by what means their mistress to enjoy. To an excellent new tune much in request called Diana's a nymph. With allowance. London]: Printed for J. Conyers, at the Black Raven the first shop in Fetter-lane next Holborn, [ca. 1675. ESTC No. R12656. Grub Street ID 60810.
  • Baxter, Richard. Christ; the pearl of great price: or the excellency of Christ to believers set forth. Being a divine message from God, to poor sinners. 1. Wherein Jesus Christ and salvation are freely offered, to all that will come in and accept of it, before the day of grace is past. 2. The great danger of slighting of Christ, and salvation, tendered in the Gospel. 3. With sweet invitations to all poor sinners to close with Jesus Christ, and be happy for ever. London: printed for Iosh. Conyers, at the Black-Raven in Duck-Lane, 1677. ESTC No. R176517. Grub Street ID 69014.
  • Srenock, J. Gods sword drawn forth against drunkards and swearers, blasphemers of Gods Holy Name, whore-mongers, Sabbath breakers, and other lewd livers of all sorts. In which is set forth the abominable and beastly sin of drunkenness, with its attendant vices. In forty three terrible examples of Gods immediate judgements upon several drunkards, and other impenitent sinners. Necessary to be had in all houses, being a caution to young and old. By J. Srenock, B.D. Licensed and entred according to order. London: printed for Joshua Conyers at the Black Raven in Duck Lane, 1677. ESTC No. R221809. Grub Street ID 95898.
  • The new academy of complements; with the newest way of wooing, adorned with many rare dialogues, and complemental discourses, elegant and courtly expression. With a garland composed of fifteen of the choicest new songs and catches, sung at the court and theatres, with their proper tunes; very delightful and pleasant for young gentlemen and gentlewomen. London: printed for J[oshua]. Conyers] at the black Raven, [1680. ESTC No. R180872. Grub Street ID 71727.
  • Sir Walter Raleigh sailing in the low-lands. Shewing how the famous ship called the sweet Trinity was taken by a false gally, and how it was again restored by the craft of a little sea-boy, who sunk the gally; as the following song will declare. To the tune of, The sailing in the low-lands. London]: Printed for J[oshua]. Conyers, at the Black-Raven the first shop in Fetter-Lane next Holburn, [1682 - 1685. ESTC No. R18546. Grub Street ID 74519.
  • The matchless murder. Giving an account of the most horrible and bloody murthering of the most worthy gentleman Thomas Thin Esq; who was on Sunday, February the twelfth 1682 barbarously killed in his own coach by some blood-thirsty outlandish villians, who shot five or six bullets into his belly, whereof he quickly died, and the names of the murtherers now lying in Newgate, who have confessed the same, are as followeth: Capt. Christopher Furatz a German, George Boroskie a Polander, John Stern a German, Fredrick Harder, and Amien Berg, accessaries. To the tune of Troy town. London]: Printed for J Conyers at the black Raven in Duck lane, [1682. ESTC No. R1817. Grub Street ID 72175.
  • The great and wonderful predictions of that late famous astrologer Mr. Lilly; and Mr. Partridg and Mr. Coley, concerning this present year 1683. To which is added a true and faithful account of the famous prophecies of the three German prophets; predicting and foretelling, some years since, this present invasion of the Turks into the empire of Germany and Hungary, with the events of the same, to the admiration of all that shall hear or read the same. Also their strange and wonderful predictions concerning the Pope, and the King of France: with the total and sudden destruction of the papal power; and the miraculous conversion of the Turks and Jews to the Christian faith. As also presaging the uniting of all religions into one visible church. Which prophecies have been had in esteem by many famous and illustrious persons of these times. London: printed for Josh. Conyers at the black Raven in Duck-Lane, M DC LXXX III. [1683]. ESTC No. R216548. Grub Street ID 91429.
  • George the glover, and Grace the bone-lace-maker. George vow'd he was a faithful lover, but prov'd a false and faithless glover, at length he got his this lass with child, which made the bone-lace-maker wild. To the tune of, Tell me Jenny tell me roundly. London: printed for Joshua C[on]yers at the sign of the Black Raven in Duck-Lane, 1683. ESTC No. R188112. Grub Street ID 76138.
  • Loves quintessence. Or, The frolick on Hackney Marsh. A comly nymph, upon a fragrant plain, implor'd one hours pastime of her swain but he deny'd. until a piercing dart created love in him and smote his heart. Then mutually they both imbrac't each other, and if their actions don't, no more I will discover. To the new Scotch tune, or in January last. London: printed for J. Co[nye]rs at the Black Raven in Duck Lane, [ca. 1683]. ESTC No. R188504. Grub Street ID 76417.
  • The constant lover: or, Celia's glory exprest to the life. A pleasant new song (as it's sung after the Italian manner) and great in request at court, and in the city. To the pleasant new tune of, Why are my eyes still flo----------ing. This may be printed, R.P. London]: Printed for I. Conyers at the Black Raven a little above St. Andrews Church in Holbourn, [1685 - 1688. ESTC No. R41942. Grub Street ID 123426.
  • The royal health: or, The valiant souldiers resolution to drink and fight for their Mejesties [sic] King William and Queen Mary. An excellent new song much in request to an [sic] new tune. Licensed according to order. London]: Printed for J. Conyers at the Black Raven, a little above St. An[drews] Church in Holbourn, and for J. Conye[rs] adjoyning to St. Peters-Alley in [ .... ], [1692?. ESTC No. R187267. Grub Street ID 75573.
  • M., C.. A true account of the tryals, examinations, confessions, condemnations, and executions of divers witches, at Salem, in New-England, for their bewitching of sundry people and cattel to death, and doing other great mischiefs, to the ruine of many people about them. With th strange circumstances that attended their enchantments: and their conversation with devils, and other infernal spirits. In a letter to a friend in London. Licensed according to order. London: printed for J. Conyers; in Holbourn, 1692. ESTC No. R231912. Grub Street ID 103832.
  • Arundell, Thomas. The holy breathings of a devout soul, in meditations, contemplations, and prayers. London]: Printed for Josh. Conyers, at the Anchor and Bible, in Cornhill, 1695. ESTC No. R172529. Grub Street ID 66378.
  • Drayton, Michael. England's heroical epistles, written in imitation of the stile and manner of Ovid's epistles: with annotations of The chronicle history. By M. Drayton Esq; Newly corrected and amended. Licensed according to order. London: printed for J[oshua]. Conyers at the Bible and Anchor in Cornhil, 1697. ESTC No. R171836. Grub Street ID 65924.
  • Lansdowne, George Granville. The she-gallants: a comedy. As it is acted at the Theatre in Little Lincoln's-Inn Fields, by His Majesties servants. By the Honourable George Granville, Esq. London: printed for J. Conyers at the Bible and Anchor in Cornhill, 1700. ESTC No. R1108. Grub Street ID 59397.