Publications of Robert Gardner

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 Robert Gardner

  • Mitchel, John. A dissertation concerning the immortality and separate state of the human soul writen by the deceased & universaly lamented Mr. John Mitchel student of divinity revised and published, at the desire of the relations, by a friend of the author. Belfast: printed by Robert Gardner, 1713. ESTC No. T153920. Grub Street ID 198126.
  • Tenison, Thomas. A declaration of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and the bishops in and near London, testifying their abhorrence of the present rebellion; with an exhortation to the clergy and people ... Belfast: re-printed by Robert Gardner. And sold at his shop, 1715. ESTC No. T202894. Grub Street ID 233665.
  • Defoe, Daniel. A trumpet blown in the north, and sounded in the ears of John Erskine, call'd by the men of the world, Duke of Mar. By a ministring friend of the people call'd Quakers. With a word of advice and direction to the said John Erskine, and his followers. Belfast: re-printed by Robert Gardner, and sold at his shop, MDCCXVI. [1716]. ESTC No. T70861. Grub Street ID 294506.
  • Unanimity in the present time of danger recommended. In a sermon preach'd before their Excellencies the Lords Justices of Ireland, at Christ's Church, Dublin, on Sunday Feb, 5th, 1715/16 by Nicholas, Lord Bishop of Killaloe. ... Belfast: re-printed by Robert Gardner, and sold at his shop, 1715/16 [i.e. 1716]. ESTC No. T202888. Grub Street ID 233658.
  • Malcome, John. Personal perswasion [sic] no foundation for religious obedience: or, some friendly reflections on a sermon preach'd at Belfast Dec. 9. 1719. by John Abernethy, ... And printed at Belfast by James Blow, ... By John Malcome M.A. ... Belfast: printed by Robert Gardner, 1720. ESTC No. T180563. Grub Street ID 217229.
  • Malcome, John. The good old way examined. Being an answer to the Belfast Society. By John Malcome, M. A. Minister of the Gospel. Belfast: printed by Robert Gardner, Anno Dom. 1720. ESTC No. T82135. Grub Street ID 302734.
  • Kennedy, Thomas. A sermon preached before the General Synod, at Dungannon, June 18th. 1723. By the Reverend Mr. Thomas Kennedy. Belfast: printed by Robert Gardner, in the year, 1723. ESTC No. T175606. Grub Street ID 212664.
  • Abernethy, John. A sermon preached at Antrim, Nov. 13. 1723 at a fast observed in the Presbyterian congregations in Ulster, by agreement of their ministers, on the account of divisions. By John Abernethy, M. A. Minister of the Gospel. Belfast: printed by Robert Gardner, Anno Dom. M.DCC.XXIV. [1724]. ESTC No. T47527. Grub Street ID 275477.
  • Kennedy, Gilbert. A defence of the principles and conduct of the Reverend General Synod of Ulster. Being an answer to a pamphlet published by the Reverend Mr. Samuel Haliday. ... Published by the Reverend Mr. Gilbert Kennedy. Belfast: printed by Robert Gardner, in the year, 1724. ESTC No. T102438. Grub Street ID 156252.
  • Mastertown, Charles. Christian liberty. Founded in Gospel truth; or, the great argument of Christian liberty, explained In its Necessary Connection with Sound Principles. In Opposition to some Dangerous Notions relating to both. In a sermon upon John viii. 32. By C. Mastertown. M.A. Belfast: printed by Robert Gardner, and are to be sold at his shop, M.DCC.XXV. [1725]. ESTC No. T164664. Grub Street ID 202933.
  • Hemphill, Samuel. The third page of Mr. Abernethy's preface to the Defence of his Seasonable advice, consider'd. By Samuel Hemphil, M. A. Minister of the Gospel. Belfast: printed by Robert Gardner, in the year, M,DCCXXV. [1725]. ESTC No. T174843. Grub Street ID 211917.
  • MacBride, Robert. The overtures transmitted by the General Synod, 1725. set in a fair light: in answer to Mr. Higginbothom's late print, entituled, Reasons against the Overtures. Wherein a letter in M.S. subscribed J. Boyse, ... is also consider'd. ... By Robert M"Bride [sic], ... Belfast: printed by Robert Gardner, anno Dom., 1726. ESTC No. T203254. Grub Street ID 233884.
  • Mastertown, Charles. The doctrine of the Holy Trinity, explained and asserted from the holy scriptures. Being a vindication of what is contain'd in the Westminster Confession of Faith, ... and other protestant confessions ... By Charles Mastertown, M.A. Belfast: printed by Robert Gardner, and are to be sold at his shop, [1728]. ESTC No. T165578. Grub Street ID 203838.
  • Reid, James. Formal Christians and secession from them consider'd; being a sermon preach'd on 2 Tim. 3. 5. at the opening of a synod at Belfast, January 6. 1718-19. Wherein the form and power of godliness, are in part explain'd; and the Nature and Ends of Turning away from scandalous church-members are briefly describ'd; and the Whole improv'd. By James Reid, M. A. Minister of the Gospel. Belfast: printed by Robert Gardner, and are to be sold at his shop, MDCCXXIX. [1729]. ESTC No. T183161. Grub Street ID 219593.
  • An essay on the existence of a God. Particularly in answer to two atheistical letters of Mr. I- T- dated from Dublin, 1729. To which are added an appendix concerning the nature of our God, and an essay on the certainty of our resurrection; in which are included some few hints on the nature of an human soul. By Wetenhall Wilkes ... Belfast: printed by Robert Gardner, 1730. ESTC No. T181832. Grub Street ID 218356.
  • Plain reasons against joining with the nonsubscribers in their unlimited scheme of religious communion. Being an answer to a letter from a gentleman to a subscribing minister. By William Holmes, M.A. [Belfast]: Dublin: printed, and Belfast, re-printed, by R. Gardner, 1732. ESTC No. T173719. Grub Street ID 210952.
  • Impartial reflections upon Mr. Duchal's remarks, upon an answer to a letter from a gentleman to a subscribing minister. By William Holmes, M.A. Belfast: printed by Robert Gardner, and are to be sold at his shop. Anno dom., 1732. ESTC No. T154536. Grub Street ID 198645.

Printed by and for, or by/for and sold by Robert Gardner

  • Maccartney, George. A letter from Mr. Maccartney to a friend of his in London. [Belfast]: London, printed. Belfast, re-printed and sold by Robert Gardner, 1713. ESTC No. T228584. Grub Street ID 248934.
  • Gowan, Thomas. Necessity of standing fast by our Christian liberty. A sermon preach'd before the presbyterian congregation at Lisburn. March 28. 1714. By Tho: Gowan, ... Belfast: printed and sold by Robert Gardner, [1714]. ESTC No. T228583. Grub Street ID 248933.
  • Abernethy, John. The people's choice, the Lord's annointed. A thanksgiving sermon for His most Excellent Majesty King George his happy accession to the throne, his arrival, and coronation. Preach'd at Antrim October, 27, 1714. By John Abernethy ... Belfast: printed and sold by Robert Gardner, [1714?]. ESTC No. T86823. Grub Street ID 306927.