DELUXE EDITION OF THE WORKS OF JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL, ILLUSTRATED WITH 75 PLATES AND AN AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED TIPPED IN

LOWELL, James Russell. The Complete Writings. Cambridge: Riverside Press, 1904. Sixteen volumes. Octavo, publisher's three-quarter green morocco gilt, raised bands, marbled boards and endpapers, top edges gilt, uncut and partially unopened. $2800.

"Edition de Luxe" of the works of James Russell Lowell, number 469 of 1000 sets, illustrated with 75 plates—several finely hand-colored—and handsomely bound. With a one-page autograph letter signed by Lowell to his publisher tipped into Volume I.

"No understanding of the cultural life of America in the 19th century can be complete without recognition of Lowell's centrality and versatility" (ANB). Includes Lowell's essays of literary criticism, his Civil War- and Reconstruction-era essays on national politics and his poems.

The tipped-in letter, penned entirely in Lowell's hand, is dated "Glenwood, Saturday," and addressed to "Mr. Houghton"—almost certainly his publisher, Henry Oscar Houghton (senior or junior). It reads: "Dear Sir, many thanks for your kindness about the paper. I like the specimen you have sent, & think it will serve admirably. I should like to have the book printed at once as there is some chance of my cooking the water again before long. Very truly yours, J.R. Lowell."

Faint evidence of dampstaining and wrinkling along lower margins and boards of Volumes VI-XIII. Still a handsome, near-fine set, desirable with a signed letter.