As a young man and veteran of World War I, Julius Harper discovered that his childhood home, the Sunrose Building on Perdita Street, was still standing, but in a derelict state. He acquired the property and lived there for the rest of his life, always convinced that his mother had left a treasure behind, but it was never found.

The building now belongs to Andrew Harper, 79, owner of the Lost and Found Bookshop. The December earthquake caused significant damage to the building, and in the aftermath, the books were found behind a basement wall that had collapsed in the quake.

[Caption: Pictured above: Andrew Harper and his granddaughter, bookstore owner Natalie Harper, in front of the Sunrose Building.]

Mr. Harper was inundated with offers from private collectors and institutions. “It’s a treasure in my possession, but it doesn’t belong to me,” he said in a statement. “It belongs to the world. Once I look after my own obligations and settle my debts, the proceeds will fund conservation.”

True to his word, Andrew Harper created a nonprofit sustaining fund to benefit the National Bird Conservation Society. He also founded the Perdita Street Memory Center, a residence providing compassionate care for patients living with dementia.

LOCAL PLAYWRIGHT WINS MAJOR AWARD

SAN FRANCISCO—Playwright Cleo Chan has won the Bay Area Critics’ Circle Prize for her drama, “The Lost and Found Bookshop: A Grand Adventure,” a beguiling play based on a speculative relationship between a scullery-maid-turned-artist in old San Francisco and William Randolph Hearst. Inspired by true events, the story traces the journey of a rare book and its impact on one local family.

The production opened at the Sutter Theatre and quickly gained acclaim for its imaginative historical content. The performance of dramatic actor Bertrand “Bertie” Loftis, whose compelling and unexpectedly vulnerable young Hearst has been lauded as his breakthrough role, earned him a citation for Best Actor in a Dramatic Role.

[Caption: Pictured above: Playwright Cleo Chan, actor Bertie Loftis, with real-life owner of the Lost and Found Bookshop, Natalie Harper Gallagher, at Sutter Theatre.]

The ceremony was held at the Hilltop Marquis. Both Chan and Loftis dedicated their awards in memory of the late Andrew Harper, Bay Area philanthropist.

BIRTHS DEATHS MARRIAGES

MERCY HEIGHTS HOSPITAL—Peter “Peach” Gallagher and Natalie Gallagher announce the birth of their son, Andrew Julius Gallagher.

Andrew Julius arrived on Monday, March 23, at 4:47 A.M., weighing in at 6 pounds, 6 ounces, 20 3/4 inches in length.

His sister, Dorothy Gale Gallagher, is twelve and an honor student at Greenhill Academy.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book started as a conversation with two of the best writers I know—John Saul and his partner, Michael Sack. Thank you, gentlemen, for the uproarious brainstorming that launched an idea. The story was further refined with advice from the brilliant story analyst and friend Michael Hauge.

My mother, Lou Klist, was my first writing mentor and first reader, and she inspired the character of Andrew Harper in this story. Love you, Mom.