Thackeray, William Makepeace. THE WORKS. New York and London: The Caxton Society, n.d. (ca. 1878 to 1886.) 52 volume set, large 8vo (10.25" x 7.25".) Finely bound in full green morocco, gilt, with floral onlays, floral gilt dentelles and red morocco doublures, silk endpapers. **************NUMBER 3 OF 15 SETS ILLUSTRATED by the author and by other artists, hand-colored proofs on mounted India paper except the colored plates for the Christmas Books. The present example WITH AN AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BY THACKERAY (tipped at front of first volume) to unnamed recipient. No place, n.d.: "...I thought you were sincere in your request for sympathy and aid. Had I thought otherwise, I should not have taken the trouble to exert myself on your behalf...Don't write to or bother me again till you have thoroughly made up your mind as to what you intend to do." RBH finds only two previous auction appearances in the last 100 years of these very limited sets; and one of those records is for the same copy present here (offered by Christie's in 1994.) * Provenance: With the engraved bookplates of F.H. Goodyear. This appears to be the set which appeared at Christie's in 1994.

Spines toned/faded, several of the first volumes with water-staining causing some areas of those boards to appear toned (only occasionally does this staining extended to the text), first volume with board reattached. Some spines with light chips or scuffs, some hinges rubbed. Contents attractive overall. Sold as-is.