[REAGAN, Nancy (1921-2016), her copy]. THAYER, William Roscoe (1859-1923). The Life and Letters of John Hay. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1915.
2 volumes, royal 8vo. Photogravure frontispieces, numerous plates. Original green cloth, printed spine labels, uncut and unopened; ORIGINAL PRINTED DUST JACKETS with the “first edition” statement printed on spine; morocco-backed slipcase. Provenance: Mrs. Ronald Reagan (ownership stamp listing their 1669 San Onofre Drive residence in the Pacific Palisades where both Nancy and Ronald lived from 1957 to 1981 before moving into the White House once Ronald became President).
FIRST EDITION, INSCRIBED BY THAYER IN BOTH VOLUMES reciting John Hay quotes. In vol. I inscribed on half-title: “John Hay wrote in his youth: ‘Eternity is long enough to make right the errors and deficiencies of time’. Cambridge: January 5, 1918, Wm. R. Thayer”. In vol. inscribed on half-title: “…I am a Republican till I die. When we get to Heaven, we can try a Monday, perhaps.” Hay began his long career as an American statesman, first serving as a private secretary for Abraham Lincoln, later becoming his biographer. Hay, along with John George Nicolay, co-authored the ten-volume biography which helped shape Lincoln’s historical image. This fine set is incredibly rare in the original dust jackets and even more so with the inscription from the author.