Publications of Benjamin Allen

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 for Benjamin Allen

  • Waller, Edmund. To the Kings Most Excellent Majesty. E.W. gent. London: Printed by L. N[orton] for Beniamin Allen dwelling in Popes-head Alley, 1642. ESTC No. R5108. Grub Street ID 125582.
  • Franck, Sebastian. The forbidden fruit: or, A treatise of the tree of knowledge of good and evill, of which Adam at the first; and as yet all mankinde do eate death. Moreover, how at this day it is forbidden to every one as well as to Adam; and how this tree, that is, the wisdome of the serpent planted in Adam, is that great image, and that many headed beast, mentioned in Daniel, and the apocalyps, whom the whole world doth worship. Lastly here is shewed what is the tree of life, contrary to the wisdome, righteousnesse, and knowledge of all mankinde: with a description of the majestie and nature of Gods word. By August: Eluthenius. Translated out of Latine into English. London: printed by T[homas]. P[aine]. and M[atthew]. S[immons]. for Benjamine Allen; and are to be sold at his shop in Popes head Alley, 1642. ESTC No. R10403. Grub Street ID 58776.
  • Sampson, Lat. A diurnall of true proceedings of our armies at Sherbourne, since their first coming there, and their happy issues related. Shewing the goodnesse of God in preserving the courage of those that stand for King and Parliament against the cavalliers, and their adherents. Desired by many to be published, being the last true newes. And of the battell there fought. London: printed by Luke Norton for Benjamin Allen in Popes head Alley., Septemb. 14, 1642. ESTC No. R10493. Grub Street ID 58861.
  • An abstract from Yorke of seven dayes passages, from the twenty-fourth of June to the first of July. Also a letter to a friend in London from York the first of July. London: printed for Benjamine Allen in Popes-Head Alley, 1642. ESTC No. R224784. Grub Street ID 98288.
  • Bridge, William. A sermon containing some comfortable directions, for such, as have been, or may be driven from their houses, goods or country. Preached by William Bridge, at great Yarmouth. London: printed for Beniamin Allen, and are to be sold at his shop in Popes Head-Ally, 1642. [i.e. 1643]. ESTC No. R206119. Grub Street ID 82689.
  • Cotton, John. A letter of Mr. John Cottons teacher of the church in Boston in Nevv-England, to Mr. Williams, a preacher there. Wherein is shewed, that those ought to be received into the church who are godly, though they doe not see, nor expressely bewaile all the pollutions in church-fellowship, ministery, [sic] worship, government ... [London]: Printed at London for B[enjamin]. Allen, 1643. ESTC No. R29720. Grub Street ID 112664.
  • Exploits discovered, in a declaration of some more proceedings of Serjeant Major Chudley, generall of the forces under the Earle of Stamford: against Sir Ralph Hopton. Fully relating the great overthrow given to him. As it was sent in a letter from Exon, (Aprill 29.) to a man of note in London. Also a briefe rehersall of the severall victories, which the enemy, (to all their great discouragement), hath of late received by the Parliament forces. London: printed for B. Allen, and T. Underhill, May. 2. 1643. ESTC No. R12001. Grub Street ID 60220.
  • The subject of supremacie. The right of Caesar. Resolution of conscience. Wherein are three questions handled: viz. 1. Whether the King without the Parliament may take up armes, and in the time of it fight with friends or foes, as having the law of armes in his owne power, and no law else? 2. Whether the Parliament without the King may take up armes to defend themselves, and kingdome, against delinquents, invaders, and forces raised in, or out of the kingdome? 3. Whether the people by command of either to assist the one, and resist the other be rebells? And may serve as a replication to the reply of Dr. Ferne, concerning free subjects; a faithfull councell, a royall King, and loyall people; placed by this author as slaves, a faction, a tyrant, rebells, in his ignorance of jurisdiction, legall, and naturall preservation. London: printed for Ben: Allen, and are to be sold at his shop in Popes-head Alley, 1643. ESTC No. R19060. Grub Street ID 76862.
  • The capitall lawes of New-England, as they stand now in force in the Common-wealth. By the court, in the years 1641. 1642. [London]: Printed first in New-England, and re-printed in London for Ben. Allen in Popes-head Allen [sic], 1643. ESTC No. R212573. Grub Street ID 88152.
  • The subjects liberty: set forth in the royall and politique power of England. The first intent that makes a king is the peoples consent, Fortesc. cap. 13. and is as the effluxe of blood form the heart to the head, and lives before it. The laws as sinewes unite all the members, and the head can no more change them, then the head of the naturall body can alter the ligaments of all the members. The regall power is not righteous that is meerely imperiall. Whereunto is annexed, six reasons, to prove that it is no treason, nor rebellion to obey the ordinances of Parliament, against the personall commands of the King, be they never so royall or regall. With six reasons obligatory, why the powers in Parliament are to be obeyed, both by persons departed, and all the people distracted. The first is, Iudicium regnt. London: printed for Ben: Allen in Popes-head Alley, 1643. ESTC No. R21426. Grub Street ID 89573.
  • An exact and full relation of the last fight, between the Kings forces and Sir William Waller. Sent in a letter from an officer in the army to his friend in London. Printed to prevent mis-information. London: printed for Ben. Allen, in Popes-Head-Alley, July 5. 1644. ESTC No. R15018. Grub Street ID 62980.
  • Ainsworth, Henry. A seasonable discourse, or, A censure upon a dialogue of the Anabaptists, intituled, A description of what God hath predestinated concerning man; is tryed and examined, wherein these seven points are handled & answered, viz. 1 Of predestination 2 Of election 3 Of reprobation 4 Of falling away 5 Of freewill 6 Of originall sinne 7 Of baptizing infants. By Henry Ainsvvorth. London: printed for Benjamin Allen, dwelling in Popes-head-Alley, 1644. ESTC No. R10804. Grub Street ID 59146.
  • Hooker, Thomas. A briefe exposition of the Lords Prayer: wherein the meaning of the words is laid open to the understanding of weake Christians, and what the carriage of their hearts ought to be in preferring each petition. By Mr. Tho. Hooker preacher of Gods word. London: printed by Moses Bell for Benjamine Allen, and are to be sold at his shop in Popes head Alley at the signe of the Crown, 1645. ESTC No. R212190. Grub Street ID 87827.

Printed by and for, or by/for and sold by Benjamin Allen

  • Archer, John. The personall reigne of Christ vpon earth. In a treatise wherein is fully and largely laid open and proved, that Iesus Christ, together with the saints, shall visibly possesse a monarchicall state and kingdom in this world. Which sheweth, 1. That there shall be such a kingdom. 2. The manner of it. 3. The duration of it. 4. The time when it is to begin. By John Archer, sometimes preacher of All-Hallows Lumbard-Street. London: printed, and are to be sold by Benjamin Allen, in Popes-Head-Alley, 1642. ESTC No. R27196. Grub Street ID 110386.
  • Archer, John. The personall reigne of Christ vpon earth. In a treatise wherein is fully and largely laid open and proved, that Jesus Christ, together with the saints, shall visibly possesse a monarchicall state and kingdome in this world. Which sheweth. 1. That there shall be such a kingdom. 2. The manner of it. 3. The duration of it. 4. The time when it is to begin. By Iohn Archer, sometimes preacher of All-Hallows Lumbard-Street. London: printed, and are to be sold by Beniamin Allen, in Popes-Head-Alley, 1642. ESTC No. R24713. Grub Street ID 108476.
  • Archer, John. The personall reign of Christ upon earth. In a treatise wherin is fully and largely laid open and proved, that Jesus Christ, together with the saints, shall visibly possesse a monarchicall state and kingdome in this world. Which sheweth, 1. That there shall be such a kingdome. 2. The manner of it. 3. The duration of it. 4. The time when it is to begin. By Henry Archer, sometimes preacher of All-Hallows Lumbart-street. London: printed, and are to be sold by Benjamen Allen, in Popes-Head-Alley, 1642. ESTC No. R210616. Grub Street ID 86742.

Author

  • Allen, Benjamin. The natural history of the mineral-waters of Great-Britain. To which are added, some observations of the cicindela, or glow-worm. By Benjamin Allen, Med. Bac. London: printed for the author, and sold by William Innys, at the Prince's Arms in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1711. ESTC No. T86966. Grub Street ID 307065.