Publications of the publisher

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 the publisher

  • Fordyce, James. A collection of hymns and sacred poems, in two parts. By James Fordyce. Edinburgh: printed for the publisher, MDCCLXXXVIII. [1788]. ESTC No. N14830. Grub Street ID 4595.

Printed by and for, or by/for and sold by the publisher

  • Bayley, Daniel. The new harmony of Zion; or Complete melody. Containing, in a plain and familiar manner, all the necessary rules of psalmody. To which is added, a choice collection of a number of the most approved psalm and hymn tunes, selected from various authors, both ancient and modern--also several anthems. By Daniel Bayley, Jun. Newbury-Port [Mass.]: Printed and sold by the publisher, at his house near St. Paul's Church, 1788. ESTC No. W25265. Grub Street ID 335230.