Publications of J. Playford

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 by J. Playford

  • Chamberlayne, Edward. The second part of The present state of England· Together with divers reflections upon the antient state thereof. By Edw. Chamberlayne, Doctor of Laws. The twelfth edition, with several additions, and very many alterations.. London: printed by J. Playford in Little Britain, and are to be sold by R. Bently in Covent-Garden, 1684. ESTC No. R17168. Grub Street ID 65826.

Printed for J. Playford

  • Playford, John. An introduction to the skill of musick. In two books. The first: The grounds and rules of musick, according to the gam-ut, and other principles thereof. The second: Instructions & lessons for the bass-viol: and instruments & lessons for the treble-violin. By John Playford. To which is added, The art of descant, or composing musick in parts. By Dr. Tho. Campion. With annotations thereon, by Mr. Chr. Simpson. The seventh edition, corrected and enlarged.. London: printed by W. Godbid, for J. Playford at his shop in the Temple near the Church, 1674. ESTC No. R11472. Grub Street ID 59755.