My Years on the Stage

New York - London: E.P. Dutton, 1922. xii + 242 pages, index, black and white frontis portrait & illustrated throughout in black and white with imagery from the career of the actor; inscribed and signed on the front endpaper, "To Alfred G. Arvold John Drew New York 1926"; John Drew (1853-1927), American actor, one of the founding members ( and later President) of the famed Players Club in NYC, "...At a time when the theater was in transition, John Drew successfully made the changeover from repertory companies to star-centered productions, just as he gracefully evolved from dashing young leading man to older character actor. In his era, John Drew probably had no peer." (Mary C. Henderson in the ANB); original blue cloth binding, gilt spine titles; some edge, tips wear & rubbing to boards, front endpaper split at gutter; still, in good condition; and especially interesting as the recipient Alfred G. Arvold (1882-1957) was a member of the Players Club of NYC & the founder of the nationally famous "Little Country Theatre" in 1914 in North Dakota, still actively ‘playing’ its existence today - "...a country life laboratory which has become known throughout the world because of its work in country neighborhoods..." - Arvold was a professor at North Dakota Agricultural College and author, great Midwest America theatre advocate & teacher. (ND State U. Library Archives) a nice association between two theatre personalities of the time.. Signed by Author. First Edition, Third Impression. Hard Cover. Good.