Publications of R.W. at

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 R.W. at

  • Petty, William. A declaration concerning the newly invented art of double writing. Wherein are expressed the reasons of the authors proceedings in procuring a priviledge for the same: as also of the time, manner, and price, of the discovery of the said art, and of the instruments belonging thereunto. For the satisfaction of all that desire to be partakers of the great benefit of the same, before they adventure any thing towards the reward thereof. Whereunto is annexed a copie of an ordinance of both Houses of Parliament, approving the feasibility and great use of the said invention, and allowing a priviledge to the inventor, for the sole benefit thereof for 14 years, upon the penalty of one hundred pounds. London: printed by R[obert]. L[eybourne]. for R.W. at the Star under Saint Peters Church in Cornhill, 1648. ESTC No. R204724. Grub Street ID 81616.