Publications of Benjamin Tooke

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):

  1. "printed and sold by x"; "printed for and sold by x"; or "printed by and for x" and so on.

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, but sold by encompasses a number of roles. Booksellers or individuals who owned the copyright are generally 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 rather than a copyright holder. 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.

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 by Benjamin Tooke

  • Lingard, R. A letter of advice to a young gentleman leaveing the university, concerning his behaviour and conversation in the world. By R.L. Dublin: printed by Benjamin Tooke, printer, to the Kings most excellent Majesty, and are to be sold by Mary Crook, in Castle-street, 1670. ESTC No. R12385. Grub Street ID 60572.
  • At the Court at Whitehall February the third, 1674/5 . . . His Majesty was this day pleased in Council to command . . . orders and resolutions. [Dublin]: Reprinted at Dublin by Bejamin[sic] Tooke, to be sold by Joseph Wilde, 1674 [i.e. 1675]. ESTC No. R171945. Grub Street ID 65989.
  • Colledge, Stephen. The speech and carriage of Stephen Colledge, &c. Mr. High-Sheriff Mr Colledge, it is desired for the satisfaction of the world, because you have profest your self a Protestant, that you would tell what judgment you are of, Colledge, dear people, dear Protestants, and dea countrey-men, I have been accused and convicted for treason; ... [Dublin: printed by B. Tooke and J. Crooke, 1681]. ESTC No. R175847. Grub Street ID 68593.
  • Animadversions upon a paper entituled, The speech of the late Lord Russel, &c. [Dublin: reprinted by Benjamin Tooke. and John Crook. Printers to the Kings most excellent Majesty and are to be sold by Mary Crook. and Andrew Crook at his Majesties printing house on Ormond Key. and by Joseph Wild. bookeseller in Castlestreet, 1683]. ESTC No. R183746. Grub Street ID 73531.
  • Plunkett, Patrick. Pluncket 1684 a new almanack for the year of Our Lord 1684. Being bisextile, or leap-year, and from the creation o[f] the world, according to the computation of John Bapista Marinus 5652 John Kepler 5677 the Julian period 6397 Vincent Wing 5633 wherein is contained the eclipses of the luminaries the conjunctions and radiations of the planets, and other c?estial appearances and [...]. As to the constitution and alterations of the air, the rising and setting of the sun; the length increase and decrease og the days and nights. With many observations of husbandry[ And likewise the terms, and their returns; and other useful and necessary [...]. Calculated for the meridian of the city of Dublin, whose latitude is 59? deg. [...]. And without any sensible error may serve the whole kingdom, and the western parts of England. By Patrick Pluncket Philom. Dublin: printed by Benjamin Tooke & John Crooke, printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty; and are to be sold by Mary Crooke, at his Majesties printing house on Ormond-Key, 1684. ESTC No. R170168. Grub Street ID 64917.
  • A form of prayer with fasting, to be us'd yearly upon the 30th of January, being the day of the martyrdom of the blessed King Charles the First: to implore the mercy of God, that neither the guilt of that sacred and innocent blood, nor those other sins by which God was provoked to deliver up both us, and our King into the hands of cruel and unreasonable men, may at any time hereafter be visited upon us, or our posterity. By His Majesties special command. Dublin: re-printed by Benj. Tooke, printer to the King's most excellent Majesty; and are to be sold by Andrew Crook at the King's printing-house upon Ormond-Key, and by Samuel Helsham at the Colledge-Arms in Castle-street, 1685. ESTC No. R173986. Grub Street ID 67306.
  • A relation of what passed during the expedition to Rio de Janeiro, made by a squadron of the ships of war of the French King, commanded by Monsieur de Guy Trouin, from the third of June, 1711. [London]: Printed by Benj. Tooke at the Temple-gate, and John Barber on Lambeth-hill, 1712. ESTC No. T118708. Grub Street ID 170190.
  • The renunciations of the King of Spain to the crown of France, and of the Dukes of Berry and Orleance [sic] to the crown of Spain: ... London: printed by Benj. Tooke, and John Barber, 1713. ESTC No. T70487. Grub Street ID 294220.

Printed for Benjamin Tooke

  • Divine poems, containing the history of Jonah, Ester, Job, Sampson. Together with Sions sonnets. Elegies. Written, and newly augmented. By Fra. Quarles. London: printed by E[dward]. O[kes]. for B[enjamin]. T[ooke]. and T[homas]. S[awbridge]. and are to be sold by Will. Thackery at the Golden Sugar-loaf in Duck-lane, 1669. ESTC No. R35134. Grub Street ID 117576.
  • Deus nobiscum. A narrative of a great deliverance at sea, with the name of the master, ship, and those that suffered. Also a sermon preached on their return. By William Johnson, D.D. late chaplain, and sub-almoner to His sacred Majesty. London: printed by T[homas]. R[oycroft]. for Ben. Tooke, at the sign of the Ship in St. Paul's Church-yard, 1672. ESTC No. R1602. Grub Street ID 63907.
  • Nalson, John. Foxes and fire-brands: or A specimen of the danger and harmony of popery and separation. Wherein is proved from undeniable matter of fact and reason, that separation from the Church of England is, in the judgment of papists, and by sad experience, found the most compendiou way to introduce popery, and to ruine the Protestant religion. London: printed for Benjamin Tooke at the Ship in St. Paul's Church-yard, 1680. ESTC No. R10058. Grub Street ID 58454.
  • The second part of The loyal subject's litany. London: printed for B[enjamin]. Tooke., 1680. ESTC No. R14674. Grub Street ID 62679.
  • Heraclitus ridens: at a dialogue between jest and earnest, concerning the times. London [England]: printed for B[enjamin]. T[ooke]., 1681. ESTC No. P1844. Grub Street ID 55609.
  • At the general sessions of the peace holden for the town and borough of Southwark, on Monday the 16th. day of May, 1681. before the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the Recorder of the same city, and other his Maiesties Justices of the Peace for the said town and borough. We the Grand-Jury summoned and sworn for this present sessions of the peace, holden for this town and borough of Southwark, do humbly beseech the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of the City of London, and the rest of His Majesties Justices of the Peace for the said town and borough, that his Lordship, or some other of his Majesties said Justices of the Peace will be pleased in the behalf of us and of the rest of the inhabitants of the said town and borough, to present to his most sacred Majesty the humble address hereunto annexed. [London: printed for Benj. Tooke,, 1681]. ESTC No. R220616. Grub Street ID 94943.
  • Freeman, Samuel. A discourse concerning invocation of saints. ... London: printed for Ben. Tooke at the Ship in St. Paul's church-yard, and F. Gardiner at the White-Horse in Ludgate-street, M DC LXXXIV. ESTC No. R188077. Grub Street ID 76109.
  • Walton, Isaac. The life of Dr. Sanderson, late Lord Bishop of Lincoln. Written by Izaak Walton. London: printed for B[enjamin]. Tooke, T[homas]. Passenger, and T[homas]. Sawbridge, 1686. ESTC No. R186222. Grub Street ID 74989.
  • Baker, Richard. A chronicle of the kings of England, from the time of the Romans government, unto the death of King James the First. Containing all passages of state and church, with all other observations proper for a chronicle. Faithfully collected out of authors ancient and modern; and digested into a method. By Sir Richard Baker, Knight. Whereunto is added, The reign of King Charles the First, and King Charles the Second. In which are many material affairs of state, never before published; and likewise the most remarkable occurrences relating to King Charles the Second's most wonderful restauration, by the prudent conduct of George late Duke of Albemarle, Captain General of all His Majesties armies. As they were extracted out of His Excellencies own papers, and the journals and memorials of those imployed in the most important and secret transactions of that time. All which additions are revised in this ninth impression, and freed from many errors and mistakes of the former editions. London: printed for Ben. Tooke; A. and J. Churchill, at the Black-Swan in Pater-Noster-Row; and G. Sawbridge, at the Three Flower-de-Luces in Little-Brittain, M DC XCVI. [1696]. ESTC No. R213081. Grub Street ID 88604.
  • Crowne. Sir Courtly Nice: or, it cannot be. A comedy. As it is acted by Her Majesty's servants. Written by Mr. Crown. London: printed for B. Tooke; and G. Strahan, 1703. ESTC No. T52952. Grub Street ID 279949.
  • Swift, Jonathan. A proposal for correcting, improving and ascertaining the English tongue; in a letter to the most Honourable Robert Earl of Oxford and Mortimer, Lord High Treasurer of Great Britain. London: printed for Benj. Tooke, 1712. ESTC No. N12179. Grub Street ID 2190.
  • Lansdowne, George Granville. The she-gallants; a comedy. As it is acted at the theatre in Little-Lincolns-Inn-Fields, by His Majesty's servants. London: printed for Benj. Tooke; and Bern. Lintott, 1713. ESTC No. N22323. Grub Street ID 11696.
  • Pufendorf, Samuel. The whole duty of man according to the law of nature. By that famous civilian Samuel Puffendorf, Professor of the Law of Nature and Nations, in the University of Heidelberg, and in the Caroline University, afterwards Counsellor and Historiographer to the King of Sweden, and to his Electoral Highness of Brandenburg. Now made English. The fourth edition with the notes of Mr. Barbeyrac, and many other Additions and Amendments; and an index of the Matters, not in any former Impression. By Andrew Tooke, M A. Professor of Geometry in Gresham-Colledge. London: printed for B. Tooke at the Middle-Temple-Gate, and J. Hooke at the Flower-de-Luce against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet, MDCCXVI. [1716]. ESTC No. N25724. Grub Street ID 15077.