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 Thomas Jones, 7th Viscount RanelaghViscount Ranlagh asks Sampson Low to call on him for advice about an organisation he is setting up...
preview image letterLetter from Thomas Kibble HerveyIn his letter addressed to Rev. Thomas Dale, Thomas Kibble Hervey talks about having a cold and...
preview image letterLetter from Thomas Percival BuntingThomas Percival Bunting refers to Peter Cartwright's autobiography published in 1857 titled...
preview image letterLetter from Thomas WattsIn this detailed five page letter, Thomas Watts discusses Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel 'Uncle...
preview image letterLetter from Ulick de BurghIn this letter Lord Clanricarde refers to the British Benevolent Society which has been recommended...
preview image letterLetter from Walter ScottIn his letter to publisher Charles Tilt, Walter Scott acknowledges the gift of the book 'Landscape...
preview image letterLetter from Washington IrvingIn this letter from Washington Irving to his friend the publisher George Putnam at Christmas time,...
preview image letterLetter from Wilkie CollinsAn interesting letter in which Wilkie Collins talks about his personal worth and the financial...
preview image letterLetter from William ArthurWilliam Arthur makes a request to post an enclosed item to Mr Milburn. This is most likely William...
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 Cooke TaylorThis is a short note written by William Taylor addressed to publisher Richard Bentley in which he...
preview image letterLetter from William CubittThis short letter from William Cubitt is a thank you for a copy of 'Charities of London' which was...
preview image letterLetter from William EverettWilliam Everett refers to his father Edward Everett, who has sent him some books via Sampson Low,...
preview image letterLetter from William Ewart GladstoneA short note written on behalf of William Gladstone who declines to purchase 'The Abbey & Palace of...
preview image letterLetter from William GillyWilliam Gilly refers to a piece about the Waldenses he is writing for 'The Iris'. This was a...
preview image letterLetter from William Harrison AinsworthThis letter is a request from William Harrison Ainsworth for a part of 'Jack Sheppard' (serially...
preview image letterLetter from William Henry Giles KingstonW. H. G. Kingston accepts an offer from Sampson Low which is presumably a translation. This letter...
preview image letterLetter from William Henry MilburnWilliam Henry Milburn writes to Sampson Low Junior to inform him that he can give a lecture in...
preview image letterLetter from William Henry ProwseWilliam Henry Prowse writes a personal letter to Sampson Low Junior reflecting on his current poor...
preview image letterLetter from William Hepworth DixonIn his letter to Sampson Low, William Hepworth Dixon offers the publisher first refusal of Lady...