CHARLES' GIFT: SALUTE TO A MARYLAND HOUSE OF 1650. WITH SIGNED LETTER. by Footner, Hulbert - inscribed. (William Hulbert Footner.) - 1939

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1939. 290 pp, 8 7/8" H. Dark blue cloth spine (with gilt lettering/decoration) and corners, light blue paper-covered boards and endpapers. B&w photographs by Paul Braun, Arthur Mooney and others. Inscribed on half title page: "Norah and Chew Atkins / their book inscribed in / memory of old times by / Hulbert Footner / Jan 22nd 1940". Also included, an autograph letter signed by Footner, on Charlesgift notepaper, referring to a possible visit and mentioning that "For August everything too, is uncertain. I have a lot of theatrical business coming to a head, and it may be necessary for me to be in New York at that time." (Footner uses small x's instead of periods in the text.) The envelope is postmarked Solomons, MD, 1916. During the 1916-17 season, Footner's play "Shirley Kaye" had a reasonably successful run at the Hudson Theatre, New York and the proceeds helped in the restoration of Charles' Gift. Also laid in at front, the previously folded, chipped and wrinkled/creased front panel and flap from the original dust jacket. Hulbert Footner (1879-1944) explored large areas of Northern Canada by canoe in his early years and produced works of fiction and non-fiction based on his experiences. He was also a playwright and in later life, a successful mystery writer, creating such characters as Madame Rosika Storey. This semi-autobiographical book details the purchase and restoration of an historic house, but also looks back into the history of Calvert County and recounts the people and events that played a part in Footner's life for over thirty years. Minor wrinkle at top of spine, light browning and scattered tiny/small foxing marks on edges of text block - mainly on top and top corner, a few small foxing marks on preliminary pages and on the last few blank papes, a few tiny dents on bottom of text block. . Inscribed By Author. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good -. Illus. by Paul Braun & Arthur Mooney, photography..