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 Ellen WoodMrs Henry Wood discusses the publication in America by Harper of several of her recent novels and...
preview image letterLetter from Erskine NealeErskine Neale asks the recipient (Richard Bentley perhaps, who published several of Neale's books)...
preview image letterLetter from Felicia HemansFelicia Hemans' letter is addressed to Louis Theodore Ventouillac who was Professor of French...
preview image letterLetter from Francis Trevelyan BucklandIn his letter, Buckland explains that Sampson Low can have an electro-cast taken of the plate of...
preview image letterLetter from George Augustus SalaIn his letter George Sala informs Sampson Low he will visit him the following afternoon and he will...
preview image letterLetter from George CatlinGeorge Catlin discusses his wood cut casts and their price in quite some detail. He also refers to...
preview image letterLetter from George CruickshankGeorge Cruikshank requests a visit from Sampson Low to discuss the nature of illustrations he has...
preview image letterLetter from George Henry Lewes (1)In this interesting letter from George Eliot's partner George Lewes, he refers to a 90 page book...
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 George Walter Thornbury (2)In a second letter to Sampson Low, George Walter Thornbury explains he will send for the copy of...
preview image letterLetter from Gustave Doré (1)Gustave Doré addresses a commission by a Mr Gowland to produce a drawing. He could be referring to...
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 Hablot Knight BrowneBrowne describes alterations to drawings he has made to accompany a humorous poem by Lindon Meadows...
preview image letterLetter from Harriet MartineauIn this four page letter, Harriet Martineau writes at length about works written by the architect...
preview image letterLetter from Henry MayhewHenry Mayhew writes to inform the recipient, in quite some detail, about his forthcoming book...
preview image letterLetter from Henry PierrepontIn his short letter, Lord Exeter refuses to give permission for Sampson Low to copy an unnamed...
preview image letterLetter from Horace St JohnHorace St John writes to Sampson Low agreeing to the inclusion of his name attached to the...
preview image letterLetter from Isaac Israel HayesIn his letter written from New York, Isaac Israel Hayes discusses various publications and...
preview image letterLetter from James HamiltonJames Hamilton sends Sampson Low an unnamed book he believes is worth reprinting. He declines a...
preview image letterLetter from James MontgomeryAccompanying his letter to an unknown female recipient, James Montgomery includes a draft of his...