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An essay is presented which discusses the early American bookseller, minister and author "Parson" Mason Locke Weems' relationship with cultural nationalism, popular literature and print materials in the early U.S. antebellum period. An overview of the book trade during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, including in regard to the role that curiosity played and popularity of biographical books on the U.S. President and military leader General George Washington, is provided.

A biography of British publisher Sampson Low is presented. Low was born in London, England on November 18, 1797. His father was a printer and publisher and he was apprenticed to several booksellers and publishers in his youth. Low played an important role in the development of the Victorian book trade, serving as editor of "Publishers' Circular" and reorganizing the Booksellers' Association. Later, he worked to fight off the sale of pirated American literature in Great Britain.

The article discusses U.S. statesman John Dickinson (1732-1808) and four works either wrongly attributed to him, or works by him wrongly attributed to someone else. These include: "A Receipt to Make a Speech, by J---- G----, Esquire," attributed to John Galloway; "Remarks on a Late Pamphlet entitled Plain Truth," signed Rusticus; and "Common Sense," signed Fabius.