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 Catherine GoreIn a short letter, Catherine Gore discusses the number of volumes in her forthcoming work. She...
preview image letterLetter from Charles Allston CollinsCharles Allston Collins writes to propose publication of several of his 'eye-witness' articles...
preview image letterLetter from Charles Beaumont PhippsPhipps sends a letter on behalf of Queen Victoria who has accepted 'The Charities of London'...
preview image letterLetter from Charles Benjamin TaylerThis letter is possibly written to Sampson Low Junior as Charles Tayler refers to the recipient's...
preview image letterLetter from Charles DickensThe letter is addressed from the Office of Charles Dickens' literary magazine 'All The Year Round'....
preview image letterLetter from Charles EllicottThis letter accompanied a second letter (not included) which Charles John Ellicott wished to be...
preview image letterLetter from Charles H. BennettIn this personal letter dated the 26th of December 1864, Charles H. Bennett accepts an invitation...
preview image letterLetter from Charles Kingsley (1)Charles Kingsley refers positively to Philip Sidney's 'Arcadia' and John Lyly's 'Euphues'. He also...
preview image letterLetter from Charles Kingsley (2)
preview image letterLetter from Charles KnightIn his letter to Sampson Low, Charles Knight discusses publications of Percy Bysshe Shelley's...
preview image letterLetter from Charles LyellCharles Lyell refers to a work on the architect Inigo Jones that he has written. He requests that...
preview image letterLetter from Charles NapierThere is no letter, only an envelope addressed to Sampson Low, New York. The name Napier is written...
preview image letterLetter from Charles ReadeCharles Reade pens rather an anxious letter to Sampson Low. He is concerned that a manuscript he...
preview image letterLetter from Christopher Newman HallChristopher Newman Hall sends Sampson Low an introduction to an unnamed book.
preview image letterLetter from Cyrus West FieldCyrus West Field explains that he will be sailing to New York from Liverpool aboard the steamer...
preview image letterLetter from Dinah Craik (1)Dinah Craik writes to inform the recipient (likely to be Sampson Low) that she is in talks with...
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 Drinkwater MeadowsIn his letter, Drinkwater Meadows explains to Sampson Low the rules and regulation of membership of...
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 Edric Gifford, 3rd Baron GiffordEdric Gifford, 3rd Baron Gifford requests a copy of Henry Stanley's book 'Two British Campaigns in...