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 Josiah Gilbert HollandIn a long letter Holland discusses the publication of his works for the British public in light of...
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 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 Louis Blanc, 21 September 1867Blanc asks if books for review could be sent to Alfred Whitty, who was a journalist with the...
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 Marian JamesMarian James encloses a piece to forward to Harper Publishers for 'The Eclectic' - a monthly...
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 HowittMary Howitt refers to works by Swedish author Frederika Bremer written about the Holy Land and...
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 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 Methuen, 1st Baron MethuenThis is one of the oldest letters in the collection. Paul Methuen thanks Sampson Low for 'The Iris'...
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...
preview image letterLetter from Ralph Waldo EmersonIn his letter Ralph Waldo Emerson refers to being a stranger in London and to not knowing a Mr...
preview image letterLetter from Rebecca HeyOne of the oldest letters in the collection. Rebecca Hey offers Rev Thomas Dale some written pieces...
preview image letterLetter from Richard Chenevix TrenchRichard Trench writes to Sampson Low to inform him that he declines to publish an unnamed work he...