The Unwilling Adventurer by FREEMAN, R. Austin (1862-1943)

London: Hodder and Stoughton, [1913]. [Thriller] SIGNED FIRST EDITION. Octavo (18 x 12cm), pp.389; [1], blank. Utility binding of blue cloth lettered in gilt, edges speckled red. Contents mostly clean, some leaves proud, sewn hinge of first two leaves with paper re-inforcement, binding handled. Autographed by Freeman on the title page, for his local library. This copy has one stamp, tag to rear endpaper, neat 'withdrawn' notice to f.e.p. and shelf number to foot of spine. Dr. Richard Austin Freeman lived in Gravesend, Kent, where at least one of his novels was based. He served on the Library Committee and as footpaths expert for Gravesend Historical Society, and signed their holdings of his books. In 2007 these were sold off to a friend of the Library, to raise funds (replacements were donated, Kent County Council redacted letter of provenance provided). A rare signed copy with guaranteed authenticity. Cooper and Pike; Detective Fiction p137-141.