Charles Dickens autograph letter signed with rare content regarding one of his most famous novels, ''Oliver Twist''. Dated ''Thursday morning'', with no year but likely mid to late 1837, Dickens writes from his home on Doughty Street to ''Mrs. Macready'' - Catherine Macready, the wife of Dickens' friend and the celebrated Shakespearean actor, William Macready, who was starring in ''Hamlet'' in 1837. Dickens writes, ''I very much regret that most pressing, more solitary, and less agreeable engagements prevent my having the pleasure of dining with you tomorrow. I should apologize for not answering your kind note before, but Kate was taken so very unwell yesterday morning that she was compelled to go to bed - and hence the delay. She is better to-day and sends her best regards...Charles Dickens / I have had the resolution to shut myself up so strictly with Oliver Twist, as not to enter the doors of Covent Garden Theatre since the opening night, despite Hamlet and Othello. What do you think of that?'' The first installment of ''Oliver Twist'' was published in February 1837, and Dickens was apparently working on the additional installments throughout 1837. Three page letter on card-style stationery measures 4.5'' x 7.25''. Intersecting folds and rust from paperclip impression, overall in very good condition with bold signature. Dickens' letters regarding his novels are rare, with a similar letter mentioning progress on ''Oliver Twist'' and ''Nicholas Nickleby'' selling for approximately $13,000 in 2004.