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Specializing in Houdiniana
Weather In Spring, Texas
This WebSite will be devoted to items I currently have for sale. While most Collectible Dealers Occasionally have a Houdini item or two, we here at SASC Specialize in Houdini Material and have done so for 16+ years.
Not to mention having been in magic since 1963!!
This WebSite isn't ALL Houdini material, as you'll see when you take the tour of the various pages. There is something for Every Magic Collector!!
(After viewing this HomePage, please click on any of the buttons above to move to any of the other SubPages)
This page was updated:
Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 @ 8:00am(Central)
==>If you don't see something below, then it has sold<==
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2485-6843) ORIENTAL CONJURING and MAGIC by Will Ayling
HardBound with DustJacket and 384pages.
Copyright 1981 and published by The Supreme Magic Company of Bideford, Devon, England.
The contents pages were so detailed, I've reproduced them for you below, for ease in reading.
Measures approx. 7 1/2"x9 3/4". Book and DustJacket are in Mint condition.
I'm not sure the book was even read. - $85.00
2487-7443) RICKY JAY - Two Items From 1977 and 2002
The First Item is a Playboy magazine from December 1977.
Besides the usual articles, photos, cartoons, jokes, adv's, etc. you'd expect to find in this magazine, there's also THREE PAGE, pictorial article about Ricky Jay:
CARD TRICKs
How to win friends and influence Blondes with a full deck or less -
a prestidigitatorial pictorial starring crack shot Ricky Jay
There are over a dozen photo's of Ricky Jay and his female assistant.
Jay is fully clothed, the assistant is just the opposite.
Due to all this, you must be at least 18years old to purchase this offering.
The Second item is the Second Stage Theatre PLAYBILL program for Ricky Jay:
RICKY JAY
On The Stem
Information Inside:
Title page with assorted information
Who's Who In The Cast (3pages)
Assorted acknowledgements for staff and theatre (2pages)
The only photo, of Ricky Jay, is the one on the cover. - $35.00/(for everything)
2488-8624) SPOOK CROOKs!
Exposing the Secrets of the Prophet-eers who Conduct our Wickedest Industry
By Julien J Proskauer - chairman of Press Committee and a trustee parent assembly number one of the society of American Magicians - member international Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) international magic circle, Magicians' club of London, etc - profusely illustrated by James and Howard Savage.
Copyright 1932 and published by A.L. Burt Company of New York and Chicago.
First Edition
The content page has been reproduced, below, for ease in reading.
The author, a well known Magician and ardent foe of the deceptions by fraudulent con artists, exposes the spirit mediums, fortune tellers, spiritualists, and the pseudo-science of astrology, numerology, palmistry, tea leaf reading, and other false doctrines created to impress the gullible, separate them from their money and make the con artist/swindler wealthy.
HardBound with DustJacket and 300 pages.
Book measures approx. 5 3/4"x8 1/2". - $65.00
REMEMBER, all photos are Thumbnails - click on the photo to bring up the LARGER photo.
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2489-4684) TALEs OF ESCAPE by Paul Dowswell
Copyright 1994 and published by Scholastic, Inc. of New York, Toronto, London, Auckland, and Sydney.
SoftBound with 64 pages.
Over a dozen articles about escaping from prisons, castles, etc..
This includes a four page article about Houdini:
HARRY HOUDINI, Escaping For A Living
Just another fine example of you never know where a Houdini article is going to turn up for Houdiniana collectors.
Book measures approx. 7"x9 3/4". - $25.00
2490-8964) THE COMPLEAT MAGICK Volume 4
HardBound with 592pages. Stated First Edition. Index in rear of book.
Edited by Bascom Jones and published in 1994 by Collector's Workshop of Washington D.C.
If you missed the original MAGICK magazines, you'll LOVE this bound volume.
Some shelf wear and it appears a round sticker was removed from the title page, as there's a little round paper loss in the upper right corner area.
This edition Limited To 500 Copies, of which This copy is hand numbed No. 137 - $250.00
2491-0127) THE LIFE and TIMEs OF AUGUSTUS RAPP by written himself.
Introduction by Robert Parrish
Augustus Rapp wrote this autobiography when he was 89 years old. He would die a short time later, at the age of 90 (1871-1961). He performed 60 years of amazing magic all over the country, from the villages of the middle west to the rural south. There are a wealth of anecdotes. A selection of old portraits and playbills help to make this a uniquely interesting book.
Copyright 1959 and published by Jay Marshall for The Ireland Magic Company of Chicago, Illinois.
First Edition and limited to 500 copies, of which this one is No.423
The Content Page has been reproduced, below, for ease in reading.
SpiralBound with 136 pages. Book measures approx. 8 1/2"x11".
Some wear to the covers, but not very much.
Great autobiography. - $65.00
2492-7846) How To Operate A Financially Successful HAUNTED HOUSE
Written by Philip Morris and Dennis Phillips
Copyright 1980 by Morris Costumes, Inc.
These experts tell you everything you need to know about how to operate a financially successful Haunted House.
Includes tips on advertising, promotion, design, safety and how to create alarming special effects for your Haunted House.
The Content Page has been reproduced, below, for ease in reading.
SpiralBound with 101 pages.
Book measures approx. 8 1/2"x11".
Better buy this now and get a jump on Halloween, for this book will be Long Gone and sold by then!! - $45.00
2493-7156) THE MINIATURE HAUNTED HOUSE by The Great Leon
Do It Yourself Plans, Patter and Complete Routine.
Copyright 1960 and published by the Ireland Magic Company of Chicago, Illinois.
Contents Include:
Introduction
Effect
The House
Special Properties
Performance and Patter
Further Suggestions and Ideas
Some Further Effects
CombBound with 34pages. Book measures approx. 8 1/2"x11".
Don't wait to try and find this book around Halloween, purchase it now, so you can start building this Wonderful Haunted House. - $35.00
2494-7832) THE SECRET LIFE OF HOUDINI by William Kalush and Larry Sloman
The Making Of America's First Superhero.
Audio Book on five CDs.
Running time approx. 6hours.
Sit back and listen to the story about the most famous magician of all time.
Don't like to read? Well then, this is just right for you!! - $35.00
LayAway is available - if this is for you, just email for details.
2496-1567) MAGICOL Magazine, A Journal of the Magic Collectors' Association.
The first part, of this offering, is for the Old Series issues from the 1950s:
These only ran for a total of nine issues:
Volume 1, #1 thru Volume 3,
#1
August 1950 thru August/September 1952

All the issues are here, but
Volume 2, #4 is a copy.
But as they say, better this than nothing.
And, for you Houdini buffs, don't miss these articles:
Volume 1, #3 - Convention Tie-In Houdini Stamp (on front page)
Volume 1, #4 - Stamp Honors Houdini (on front page)
Volume 2, #2 - Houdini
Story Planned Again (on front page)
-and- Houdini Man of Letters (two full pages inside, see photo)
==================
The second part of this
offering is for a total of 46 issues of the
New Series.
Spanning the dates of June 1961 to August 2008

Issues: 7,24,25,26,46,57,61,64,67,71(those
on the left)
Issues: 72,75,76,80,84,87,88,91,93,96(those
on the right)

Issues:
97,98,102,104,105,106,107,109,110,114(those
on the left)
Issues:
116,135,138,140,142,143,148,149,158,160(those
on the right)

Issues: 161,164,165,166,167,168
And, for you Houdini buffs, the Mother Load Of Houdini Articles:
#57 - Houdini on Cover -and- article inside: Houdini's Last Sale by Mario Carrandi
#61 - All My Worldly Goods by Robert Lund
#64 - The Edward Saint Collection by Wayne R. Wissner
#67 - Houdini's Australian Flight by Gerald Taylor
#76 - Houdini's Insurance by Howard Puff
#80 - Houdini's Coffin by Mike Caveney
#87 - Time For Houdini by Raphael Ellenbogen
#88 - Uncanonized Saint by Robert Lund
#96 - A Legend In Australia by Alfred T. Hayes
#97 - Ex Libris by Jim Alfredson
#104 - Houdini on Cover
-and- inside article's: Spendthrift Harry by Robert Lund
-and- Houdini's Life Insurance (no author given)
#105 - The Houdini Will by Joel Miller
#109 - The Telltale
Postcard by Robert Lund
-and- A Letter To Harry Kellar by William P. Miesel
#116 - Mardoni - Houdini's Would-Be Successor by Chuck Romano
#135 - Magical Music or
Musical Magic? by Enrique Jimenez Martinez
(Assorted plays, musicals with a magic theme,
including the 1977 Houdini Opera performed in the Netherlands)
#138 - The Literature of
Escape by David Meyer
(not necessarily on Houdini, but a good tie-in, since it discusses escapes)
#140 - The Next Generation of Magic Collector's by Arthur Moses
#142 - Houdiniana And The Unmasking of Robert Houdin by George Daily
#143 - What Is It? by Terry Harris (Houdini Stanhope)
#148 - Houdini Stanhopes by Arthur Moses
#149 - On The Death Of My Friend Harry Houdini by Will Rogers
#158 - The Lengths We Go To by Arthur Moses
#160 - On The Hunt With
Robert Lund, Part 1 by Dan Waldron
-and-The Story Behind The Houdini Story - Sid Fleischman
#161 - On The Hunt With Robert Lund, Part 2 by Dan Waldron
#165 - A Highlight Of My Collection: Houdini's Steel StraitJacket by Rob Allen
The OLD, the NEW, and all those HOUDINI articles - It Doesn't Get Better Than This!! - $500.00/(for everything)
2497-5645) MEMOIRS OF ROBERT HOUDIN, The Great Wizard (#1)
Translated from the French by Dr. R. Shelton Mackenzie.
Hardbound with DustJacket. Measures 5 1/2"x8".
Original copyright 1859.
Title page shows the date of 1944, but 1945 is shown on the copyright page.
Endpapers have illustration of invitation ticket designed by Robert-Houdini.
Chapters include:
The Inexhaustible Bottle - The Fantastic Orange Tree - The Miraculous Fishing - The Aerial Clock - Second Sight or The Mysterious Little Bell - The Handkerchief With Surprises - The Ethereal Suspension - The Garland of Flowers - Robert-Houdin's Briefcase - Instant Thought Transmission - The Transparent Box - The French Guard - The Pastryman of The Palais-Royal - The Tumbler on The Trapeze - The Enchanted Vase - The Cornucopia.
A Massive 457 pages.
The DustJacket is in a protective Mylar holder, which explains some of the flaws in the photos. Looking at the DJ, there's no whitish area in the center of the front cover, this is reflection from the Mylar. On the photo of the DJ opened up, on the center of the spine - the white area isn't there, it's a reflection. The 'red bleed' on the back cover is there. From what, I don't know, since I don't see any water damage to the rear of the book. A little paper loss at the top and bottom of the DJ spine. The number "338" written, in pen, on the inside (see photo). The book has a rubber stamp of "Lux Magic Studio" on the inside (in a couple places) and on the inside flap of the DJ. There's an circular embossed stamp on last page. "TR" in the center, with "Library of Tweed Robinson" around this.
This stated "First Edition" published by Carl W. Jones of Minneapolis. - $75.00
2498-4297) MEMOIRS OF ROBERT HOUDIN, The Great Wizard (#2)
Translated from the French by Dr. R. Shelton Mackenzie.
Hardbound with DustJacket. Measures 5 1/2"x8".
Original copyright 1859.
This stated "First Edition" published by Carl W. Jones of Minneapolis.
Title page shows the date of 1944, but 1945 is shown on the copyright page.
Endpapers have of invitation ticket designed by Robert-Houdini.
Chapters include:
The Inexhaustible Bottle - The Fantastic Orange Tree - The Miraculous Fishing - The Aerial Clock - Second Sight or The Mysterious Little Bell - The Handkerchief With Surprises - The Ethereal Suspension - The Garland of Flowers - Robert-Houdin's Briefcase - Instant Thought Transmission - The Transparent Box - The French Guard - The Pastryman of The Palais-Royal - The Tumbler on The Trapeze - The Enchanted Vase - The Cornucopia.
A Massive 457 pages.
The BONUS, of this offering, the book is SIGNED AND INSCRIBED to Laurie Ireland by Carl Jones.
January 15, 1945
The 2nd BONUS is further down on the same page, Jay Marshall has signed his name, making this his personal copy.
3rd BONUS is not only did Jay read the book: HE STUDIED THE BOOK!!!
There are many pencil notations, in the book, in Jay's handwriting.
Along with this are three sheets of hotel stationery (from The Raleigh in Washington, DC) with the notes Jay made, while reading the book.
Double signed and Jay Marshall's personal copy!! - $125.00
2499-1798) EASY MAGIC FOR EVERYONE by Harry Blackstone, Sr.
Ingenious ways in which a beginner, without any expensive apparatus or a knowledge of "sleights" can entertain and amuse his friends.
17page manuscript which measures 5 1/2x8 1/2.
Second page is a generic letter, from Arthur F. Felsman, to the reader.
According to Stephen Forrester's: A Bibliography of Classic Authors In Magic and Related Arts, this was Harry Blackstone's first magic publication from 1911.
Has a blue outer page cover, which looks like the manuscript could have been folded, addressed and mailed. This one hasn't been addressed, mailed, etc.
Inside are 15 magic effects with 16 actual photographs of Blackstone -and 3 illustrations.
The Magic Effects Include:
The Magnetized Piece of Word or
Table Knife - The Blackstone Vanishing Ace - A Blackstone Egg Production - The
Blackstone Mysterious Sugar Trick - The Blackstone Seven Card Trick - The
Blackstone Magic Handkerchief - A Simple Experiment With Static Electricity - A
Blackstone Mystery - The Blackstone Seven and Eight Trick - The Blackstone
Broken Match and Handkerchief - Blackstone's Mindreading Trick With Cards - The
Blackstone Rubber Band and String Trick - To Pass A Half Dollar Through A Hole
Half Its Size - Blackstone's Watch Trick (A Mind Reading Effect) - Swallowing A
Knife
How this for an unusual Blackstone, Sr. piece? - $75.00
2501-3134) HOUDINI PUMP BADGE
Have any idea what this is from? For those of you who like beer, you're probably familiar with the beer 'badges' located on the LONG handle the bartender would pull to pour you a nice, cold draft. Same thing here, except it's for a local beer in England to honor the Houdini beer challenge.
It's states:
"HOUDINI Commemorative Ale brewed to the special ale recipe that beat Houdini on the 18th February 1911, when the renowned escapologist failed in his attempt to escape from a barrel of Joshua Tetley's Ale. Beat That..."
This measures 4 3/4"x6 3/4" and is very colorful.
This came directly from England!! - $25.00
2502-7854) PENTAGRAM MAGAZINE
Published monthly by Peter Warlock in Bramcote, England.
Magazines measure approx. 7 1/2"x10"
A total of 159 issues and 7 Index's make up a Complete File.
This offering is missing only three issues and one Index.
Those few missing are:
Volume 3, #s 1 and 4
Volume 7, #8
Index for Volume One
There were no index's issued for Volumes 8 thru 14.
Most issues are in Near Mint/Mint condition and have 8pages each.
Some of the best minds, of the 1940s and 1950s, contributed MAGIC and MENTALISM to this GREAT run of magazines. - $300.00
Volume 1,2 Complete - October
1946-September 1948
Volume 3, #2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
Spanning the dates of November 1948-September 1949
Volume 4,5,6 Complete - October
1949-September 1952
Volume 7, #1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12
- October 1952-September 1953
Volume 8,9,10,11,12,13,14 Complete - October
1953-December 1959
Index's are included for Volumes 2,3,4,5,6,7
2503-3268) THEATRE MAGAZINE for March 1923. Volume 37, #264.
This is a Large Format magazine (measuring 9 3/4"x12 3/4").
Under the heading of "Special Articles" is one about Houdini: "The Mystery Man of the Stage" by Burr C. Cook.
As the magazine states:
"Interesting Close-up of a Famous Magician Who Indulges Other Tastes Than Feats of Strength".
Article touches on: (a) 1920 Webster’s Dictionary addition with exact listing described. (b) Riveted into a large, hot water boiler in 1907 by the Marine Boiler Works of Toledo, Ohio. (c) The rest of page on Houdini, the book collector. citing examples of: (1) David Garrick’s Original Diary. (2) 1584 edition of Scott’s "The Discouverie of Witchcraft". (3) "Annus Mirabilis" (1666) by Dryden. (4) "Life of Edmund Kean" by Hawkins. (4) "The Memories of the Life of Theophilus Keene" by Richard Savage.
In addition to the article, there’s a nice photo of Houdini which isn’t published very often.
This magazine looks as though it were published yesterday. Outside of a small tear, on the front covers bottom edge, it has good tight covers, clean pages, etc. etc. On a scale of 1-10, it would have to be a 9!! - $75.00
2505-7892) A LIFETIME OF JOY by Ken Brooke
"A collection of tricks, gags and funny bits of business that I have used professionally for over 40 years."
Copyright 1982 and published and edited by Jeff Busby Magic, Inc. in Oakland, California.
The content page has been reproduced, below, for ease in reading.
CombBound with 16pages. Book measures approx. 8 1/2"x11".
GREAT GREAT Magic by one of England's Best!! - $35.00
2506-1457) KEN BROOKEs MAGIC PLACE
An anthology compiled and edited by Anthony Brahmas.
Includes illustrated instructions, Ken Brooke's Notes, Tips, Letters, Gags, etc.
Foreword by John Fisher.
Copyright 1995 and published by L&L Publishing of Tahoma, California.
HardBound with 302pages.
Content pages have been reproduced, below, for ease in reading.
The lighter two photos, below, were taken with my digital camera. The darker two with my scanner, which really shows off the gold lettering on the front cover and spine. Corners are a little dinged on the front cover.
Another wonderful book on Ken Brooke and his magic.
Book measures approx. 8
3/4"x11 1/4". - $65.00
REMEMBER, all photos are Thumbnails - click on the photo to bring up the LARGER photo.
(After viewing this HomePage, please click on any of the buttons above to move to any of the other SubPages)
Please
CLICK HERE to check out my BioPage. Besides the Bio - there are 40 great photos of RARE Houdini items. Many from my Personal Collection.
If you've any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me:
Stephen A. Sparks (a/k/a Sparky)
Stephen A. Sparks Collectibles
Specializing in Houdiniana
P. O. Box 1345
Spring, Texas 77383-1345 USA
281-353-1014 (Phone and/or Fax) ~ 281-827-4001
(Cell)
Email: Houdini374@aol.com Ebay's: Gran*Houdini
All photos are "Thumbnail Images". This means, what's showing on your screen is a smaller version of the actual photo. Click on the photo and this will bring up the regular size photo -then- use your "Back Arrow button" to come back to this WebPage.
If you've found yourself to my WebSite via the Internet and Are Not in my Data Base for email update notifications, just email me and I'll add you, so you'll know exactly when new items are added to this WebPage.
Please 'bookmark' this page and check back often to see our updates of additional RARE and Scarce items, which we'll be adding. We "try" to get this page updated at least once a month.
We, at SASC, are pleased to offer a LayAway Plan for those of you who would like this service. Just email for more information.
All photo's on this (and any) of my WebPages are the Copyright of Stephen A. Sparks Collectibles and may not be reproduced in any form or manner without permission of Stephen A. Sparks.
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