Page last modified: March 9, 2021

A Brief collectors history of Sampson Low publishers, London

I would have to say, that Sampson Low are one of the most prolific publishers of Jules Verne in the English language.

They were an "authorized" publisher, being given that title by J Hetzel et Cie.

They published numerous editions and sets of Jules Verne books.

They went through various company names over the years:

  • Sampson Low ( 17xx-1800), began publishing in 1793, with a prayer book. The publishing firm was set up in Soho
  • Sampson Low, Son & Co. 1848-1856
  • Sampson Low, Son & Marston 1856-1869
  • ? Sampson Low 1870-1873
  • Sampson Low, Marston, Low and Searle 1873-1874
  • Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington 1876-1890 ( - one source says "before" 1879)
  • Sampson Low, Marston & Company 1891-1950 ( - one source says established 1872)
  • Purnells - in 1950, the company was taken over by Purnells and became part of British Printing Corporation (BPC)
  • Robert Maxwell bought up BPC in 1981, Sampson Low's assets were stripped and that part of firm ceased to be
  • Sampson Low Ltd, established 1997, by George Low. Run by George along with Sally (secretary and his wife), and 4 sons (Sampson, Alban, Joshua and Jacob)
The principal members of the publishing firm were:
  • Sampson Low (17xx-1800)
  • Sampson Low (Nov. 1797-1886) - bookseller and publisher. Was 3 when his father died. Started work at Longmans before re-establishing his fathers printing business at 42 Lamb’s Conduit Street . Had 3 sons, who all predeceased him.
  • Sampson Low, jr. (Jul 6,1822-Mar 5,1871 - eldest son of Sampson Low)
  • William Henry Low (18xx-Sept 25,1881 - brother of Low, jr. became more active in the firm after Low, jr. death in 1871)
  • Walter Low ( - one of 3 sons of Sampson Low)
  • Edward Marston ( - became partner in 1856. Took over the firm when Sampson Low died in 1886.)
  • Robert Marston ( - son of Edward)
  • Samuel Warren Searle ( 18xx-1907)
  • William John Rivington ( 18xx-1914)
  • George Low

Addresses of the firm:

  • Sampson Low (?)(1819)
    42 Lamb’s Conduit Street, Bloomsbury
  • Sampson Low, Marston, Low, & Searle,
    Crown Buildings, 188, Fleet Street, London (1867?,1873)
  • Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington
    Crown Buildings, 188, Fleet Street, London (1876, 1881-Eight Hundred Leagues, 1882-Godfrey Morgan)
  • Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, Limited
    St. Dunstan's House, Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, London (1887, 1889-Eight Hundred Leagues)
  • Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Limited
    St. Dunstan's House, Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, E.C., London (1887,1902)
  • Sampson Low, Marston and Company, Ltd.
    St. Dunstan's House, London (1900, 1905)
  • Sampson Low, Marston and Company, Ltd.
    Obery House, 100, Southwark Street, S.E., London (1909)
  • Sampson Low, Marston & Co., Ltd.,
    Southwark Street, London, S.E.1. (1928)
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