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 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...
preview image letterLetter from Edward BickerstethThe contents of this short letter written in response to one received by Edward Bickersteth, are...
preview image letterLetter from Edward Bulwer-LyttonIn his letter, Edward Bulwer-Lytton declines to contribute to an unnamed periodical.
preview image letterLetter from Edward MaltbyWritten on behalf of the Bishop of Durham, this letter refers to The Society for the Protection of...
preview image letterLetter from Elizabeth CharlesElizabeth Rundle (Charles) refers to 'Denkwürdigkeiten', a work by the Flemish poet and Mannerist...
preview image letterLetter from Elizabeth GaskellMrs Gaskell thanks the recipient (most likely Sampson Low) for the £50 cheque she has received and...
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 Emily FaithfullEmily Faithfull writes on behalf of an unnamed female book illustrator who is seeking further...
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 Florence NightingaleFlorence Nightingale asks Sampson Low to convey her thanks to American clergyman and historian,...
preview image letterLetter from Frances Anne KembleFrances Kemble writes to remind the recipient to request a copy of an edition of her verses from...
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 Frederick Locker-LampsonFrederick Locker writes a personal letter referring to his poor health and a forthcoming trip to...
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 DanielA request from George Daniel to publisher Richard Bentley for a copy of his book 'Merrie England'....