1028

Harry Houdini

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,000.00 USD
Harry Houdini

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Auction Date:2011 Apr 13 @ 19:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Signed book: The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin. Later printing. NY: Publishers Printing Co., 1908. Hardcover, 5.75 x 8.25, 319 pages. Signed and inscribed on the first free end page, “To Miss Katharine H. Norton, with compliments of the author, Harry Houdini August 1910.” Vertical block of toning to signed page, library stamp to signed page and other pages, complete separation along front hinge, although still attached, left side of last page affixed to back pastedown, chipping to fore-edges, and wear, soiling and fraying to covers and spine, and an old ink notation and number to spine (some tears and loss to head, tails, and edge of spine as well), otherwise very good condition.

This volume was Houdini’s unflattering account of his legendary predecessor, Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin, a French magician considered to be the father of the modern style of conjuring. Published in 1908 after Robert-Houdin’s widow would not agree to meet with Houdini, the magician called his predecessor ‘a mere pretender, a man who waxed great on the brainwork of others,’ by showing that most of the tricks that Robert-Houdin claimed as his invention were in fact not. Ironically, Houdini himself built his own reputation by improving upon the tricks of his predecessors.