746

Harry Houdini

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
Harry Houdini

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Auction Date:2014 Nov 12 @ 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
Intriguing printed broadside, signed “Houdini,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 8.5 x 13, no date but circa 1926. A message published by Houdini, entitled “An Open Letter to His Excellency Calvin Coolidge, President of the United States.” In part: “Whereas, a Spiritualistic newspaper, known as ‘The Progressive Thinker,’ has prepared a petition, and is now soliciting signatures with the intention of persuading your Excellency to use your high office, and personal influence, to bring about the repeal of certain just laws that deal with the criminal practices of alleged ‘spirit-mediums,’ and Whereas, practically every one of these so-called ‘mediums’ who have been accessible to competent investigators, have been shown to be either self-deluded, or wilfully [sic] fraudulent, and…Whereas, the attempt is being made in the petition which the Spiritualists are preparing for you, to make it appear that the alleged ‘mediums’ are ‘persecuted’ on account of their ‘religion,’ and are victims of unjust discrimination…Now, Therefore…it is the height of presumption, for the Spiritualists, in the petition to your Excellency, to remind you that under the Constitution of the United States, ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of Religion.’” In fine condition, with two horizontal folds (one passing through the signature). Accompanied by a photocopied New York Times article regarding seances allegedly held at the Coolidge White House. In May 1926, Houdini testified at a congressional hearing on the subject, which was a hot-button issue of the day—many states banned fortune-telling for pay and Houdini was concerned that the Spiritualists' petition to repeal these laws might be supported by President Coolidge.