Page last modified: April 2, 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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