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 Jane PorterThis is one of the oldest letters in the collection and is addressed to Louis Theodore Ventouillac...
preview image letterLetter from John Coleridge (1)In both of his letters John Duke Coleridge refers to the publication of a speech he made during the...
preview image letterLetter from John Coleridge (2)In both of his letters John Duke Coleridge refers to the publication of a speech he made during the...
preview image letterLetter from John CummingJohn Cummings has received an unnamed encyclopedic work - which appears to be American Protestant...
preview image letterLetter from John Everett Millais (1)John Everett Millais explains that Wilkie Collins has requested an illustration to accompany his...
preview image letterLetter from John Everett Millais (2)John Everett Millais agrees to make a drawing and requests the accompanying text and a previous...
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 GilbertJohn Gilbert responds to a letter from Sampson Low and and informs the publisher that he will visit...
preview image letterLetter from John Henry NewmanIn his letter to Sampson Low, Cardinal Newman explains that a verse included in the hymn he wrote...
preview image letterLetter from John HollingsheadIn an interesting letter to Sampson Low & Co., John Hollingshead discusses his upcoming book about...
preview image letterLetter from John TennielIn his letter to Sampson Low, John Tenniel regretfully declines work requested by the publisher,...
preview image letterLetter from John Westland MarstonOn the recommendation of his friend Dinah Craik (Muloch), John Westland Marston writes to Sampson...
preview image letterLetter from Josiah Gilbert HollandIn a long letter Holland discusses the publication of his works for the British public in light of...
preview image letterLetter from Louis Blanc, 17 March 1866Blanc questions the translation of a piece he's written which he worries may lead the reader to...
preview image letterLetter from Matilda MackarnessMatilda Mackarness requests a reply to a letter sent regarding publishing her work in America.
preview image letterLetter from Matthew Fontaine MauryMatthew Maury gives permission to Sampson Low to translate and publish 'Physical Geography' in...
preview image letterLetter from Oliver Wendell HolmesOliver Wendell Holmes writes about his work "The Guardian Angel", pages of which are being sent to...
preview image letterLetter from Paul CullenThe Archbishop writes to Sampson Low enclosing a book made up of two versions of the 'Roman...
preview image letterLetter from Paul du ChailluPaul du Chaillu declines an offer from Sampson Low to publish his manuscript but informs him he...
preview image letterLetter from R. D. BlackmoreR.D. Blackmore expresses his appreciation for Mr and Mrs Low liking 'Lorna Doone' and refers to a...