The Sampson Low Collection

Sampson Low (1797-1886) was a Victorian bookseller and publisher whose clients included many notable figures of the nineteenth century from Britain, North America and Europe. The Sampson Low Collection comprises two volumes of over 200 letters written by clients and friends, the majority to Sampson Low himself. The letters have been digitised and transcribed and made available online for the first time.

Image of The Sampson Low Collection
Thumbnail Type Name or title Description
preview image letterLetter from Anne Isabella Noel ByronLady Byron refers to part of a letter written by author Eliza Follen to Harriet Beecher Stowe and...
preview image letterLetter from Dinah Craik (2)In her letter Dinah Craik acknowledges £20 received for early copies of her 1856 novel 'John...
preview image letterLetter from Edith VilliersAn extremely strong letter of complaint written on behalf of Lady Lytton to Sampson Low requesting...
preview image letterLetter from Edward BickerstethThe contents of this short letter written in response to one received by Edward Bickersteth, are...
preview image letterLetter from George Walter Thornbury (1)George Walter Thornbury writes to Sampson Low to inform him that the proof for an unnamed work will...
preview image letterLetter from Gustave Doré (2)Gustave Doré refers to a drawing of 'Gilliatt and the Monster' and suggests another scene from the...
preview image letterLetter from John ForsterJohn Forster writes to Sampson Low and refers to £267 worth of unnamed book stock with Messrs...
preview image letterLetter from John Hubbard, 1st Baron AddingtonBaron Addington encloses a cheque with his letter to Sampson Low and refers to £5.18 credited by...
preview image letterLetter from Julia PardoeIn her letter to Sampson Low, Julia Pardoe makes a request for £30 for early sheets of her work 'A...
preview image letterLetter from Leonhard SchmitzLeonhard Schmitz wishes to cancel his subscription to the 'Publishers Circular' magazine and settle...
preview image letterLetter from Maria Susanna CumminsIn her letter to Sampson Low & Co, Maria Cummins writes over a page regarding financial matters and...
preview image letterLetter from Martin Farquhar TupperMartin Tupper acknowledges receipt of the 'American volume' and encloses 1/6 in payment.
preview image letterLetter from Mary Martha SherwoodOne of the oldest letters in the collection. Mary Sherwood writes of receiving a letter from the...
preview image letterLetter from Samuel BevanSamuel Bevan declines to attend an anniversary meeting and encloses a cheque of 5 guineas for a...
preview image letterLetter from William Bentinck, 4th Duke of PortlandThe Duke of Portland encloses a cheque for £20 for "the society". This could be the 'Royal Society...
preview image letterLetter from William HowittOne of the oldest letters in the collection, this is a short note in which William Howitt...
preview image letterLetter from unknownThe unknown writer informs Sampson Low that he will call on him to collect an unnamed book and that...