Publications of the assignes

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 the assignes

  • Phayer, Thomas. A booke of presidents, with additions of divers necessary instruments. Meet for all such as desire to learne the manner and forme how to make evidences, and instruments, &c. As in the table of this booke more plainly appeareth. London: printed by the assignes of I. More Esquire, 1641. ESTC No. R13067. Grub Street ID 61196.

Printed for the assignes

  • England and Wales. Parliament.. Charles the Second by the grace of God King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c. To all and singular arch-bishops, bishops, arch-deacons, deans, and their officials, parsons, ministers, lecturers, vicars and curates, and all other spiritual persons; and also to all justices of the peace, maiors, sheriffs, bailiffs, constables, church-wardens, collectors for the poor, and headboroughs; and to all officers of cities, boroughs, and towns corporate, and to all other our officers, ministers, and subjects whatsoever they be, aswell within liberties as without, to whom these presents shall come greeting. Whereas we are credibly informed aswell by the humble supplication and petition of Thomas Thorneton, James Nelson, and Christopher Milner inhabitants of Sowerby in the parish of Thirske in our county of York, . London: printed by W. G. for the assignes of J. Bodington, [1661]. ESTC No. R173791. Grub Street ID 67167.