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Harry Houdini

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,200.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Harry Houdini

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Auction Date:2014 Jun 18 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, 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
Card trick manuscript in the hand of his secretary, as dictated by Houdini, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5 x 7.75, blindstamped The Players Club letterhead, postmarked November 18, 1920. In part: “Take pack of cards turn up top card count up to thirteen viz the top card is a 9 add 4 more—Keep on making packs counting to 13—(King is a pack in itself). You will generally have a few cards left, but should it come out to an even count of 13 the result will be the same. Ask someone to remove all but 3 packs—Collect these & add any residue in making the packs—shall we call this the main pack. Ask someone to turn up the top card of two of the remaining 3 packs—and add 10 to their addition—(always 10 irrespective of the turn up) say a 5 and a queen—that is 17 & 10 is 27. Count 27 cards off the main pack and the card on the top of the remaining uncovered pack is the same as the number left in your hand.” In fine condition, with a few light creases. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in the hand of Houdini’s wife, Bess Houdini, to the son of Oliver Barrett, a longtime friend. Barrett is mentioned in Houdini’s 1924 book Magician Among the Spirits as having accompanied him to a seance. Any sort of Houdini material describing his tricks or illusions is extremely scarce and of the utmost desirability.