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1177

Harry Houdini

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:12,000.00 - 14,000.00 USD
Harry Houdini

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Auction Date:2012 Feb 15 @ 18:00 (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
A fantastic magic archive, entitled “An Exhibit of Mystic Lore,” pasted down and presented on 24 showbards, each measuring 22 x 28. Archive was originally purchased from the son of Herman L. Weber. Weber was also known as ‘Namreh the Magician,’ and ‘Weber the Wizard.’ His son states: “In the 1930's and '40's my father, Herman L. Weber, traveled with his magic stage show from coast to coast twice. Prior to his shows my father or his assistants would line up my dad's 24 showboards, ‘An Exhibit of Mystic Lore,’ in theatre lobbies or along the hallways of the colleges and schools where he performed.”

Collection is highlighted by a Society of American Magicians membership card, 4 x 2.5, issued to Herman L. Weber for the year 1919, signed in blue ink on the front, “Harry Houdini; and an ink signature, “Houdini, Monument 8260 278 W 113th St. 3.15 Tell em who you are El off at 110th,” on an off-white 3.25 x 1.75 card, affixed to a larger letter signed by Houdini’s secretary.

Other notable pieces include a vintage photo of Harry Blackstone performing an illusion, signed and inscribed in fountain pen; an ink signature “Harry Kellar,” clipped from the return address of a mailing envelope; and a 1918 TLS from the magician Okito, signed as “Theo Bamberg.”

Interesting and illustrated brochure about Houdini and his boyhood.

Colorful lobby card for a Houdini short film "The Grim Game."

Colorful Houdini advertisement offering $10,000 to any medium who could prove his craft.

New York Hippodrome program featuring an excellent portrait of Houdini.

Outstanding 18" x 10" oversized original photograph of the 1921 banquet for the Society of American Magicians. Photographed are: everyone who was anyone in magic at this time including Houdini, Thurston, Blackstone, Dunnenger, Hardine, and of course Weber himself.

Other items from the American Society of Magicians include other membership cards, and official correspondence on letterhead from 1918. There is a significant amount of autographed material. A letter from 1896 written by C. B. Shindel, with outstanding magic content. There is another letter from 1896 regarding the purchase of tricks and written to A. N. Lindermuth. Several additional photographs and letters from the 1890s including original photographs of some tricks,

One display card treats Black Magic and includes various printouts on the subject, with some early broadsheets.

There is a magnificent oversized photo as well as a telegram, signed by "Durbin." Also present on this card is an 1896 letter to Lindermuth from another magician, discussing Durbin, as well as an outstanding chromolithograph advertisement for Durbin.

A few other great magicians are represented by signed photos (a few of the greats) including McDonald Birch, Servias Le Roy, Blackstone, and Meyerberg.

Very colorful letterheads of dealers of magic are on the card entitled "Magic Dealers, Old and New." These are extremely collectible.

Equally attractive artwork is on the card entitled "Magic Catalogs" ranging from 25c to $1.50 each.

Letterheads (and in some cases, letters) include Blackstone, Keller, Thurston, Wilfred the Wizard, Amuso the Magician, Powell & Company, and Alexander.

Outstanding early magician advertising is represented by Thurston, Tarbell, Brush, Voorhees, and Barrington.

An interesting card titled "First Man Transported by Radio."

An excellent group of magician’s business cards, includes Thurston, Jane Thurston (she takes after her dad) Laurant, Shulte-all told there are 26 cards.

A sheet of early Playbills includes Houdini from 1926, Blackstone, Thurston, Namreh.

This obviously well-loved collection presents in overall very good condition, with expected toning and aging, some detached pieces. One of the most interesting and well-presented collections you will ever see.
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