MEMOIRS OF THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE OF SAXE COBURG. London: Thomas Kelly, 1817. 8vo. Portrait frontis, engraved title, xv, 696 pp., + 9 (of?) plates. No letterpress title present. One volume bound in 3, housed in custom case. Case lid with piece broken, other wear (scuffs, rubbing, etc.) Bindings of volumes broken, chipped, rubbed. Contents with foxing and staining in places, introduction leaf cropped at upper margin, a few marginal chips, other minor defects, Fair only. *********************** William Makepeace Thackeray's copy, with his autograph comments in various places, signed. His signature or initials appear 11 times throughout the set: 9 instances of marginal notes in his hand (all signed or initialed), and 2 instances of "Property of W.M. Thackeray" (on two of the pastedowns, written in his hand and signed.) Thackeray thought highly of this book, as evidenced by his comment on the front pastedown of the first volume: "A book I most highly prize and love. Each Volume should be written in letters of gold. – WM Thackeray." Some of his comments make his opinions of the book's various subjects quite clear. For example, below the lithographed portrait of George Augustus Frederick, Prince Regent, Thackeray writes, "O thou vile wretch! Where art thou now!" Compare this to his note made on the portrait leaf of Caroline, Princess of Wales: "Poor ill-used Lady. Thou art apart from all suffering..." The set later belonged to Isaac Rand Thomas, with his bookplates and his gilt crest on the slip-case. A very unique item which presents commentary by Thackeray not intended for public consumption.