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Specializing in Houdiniana
RARE and SCARCE HOUDINI Section
Part One
Weather In Spring, Texas
Welcome to the: "RARE and SCARCE Houdini - Part One" WebPage.
Below you'll find quite an assortment of Houdini material to choose from.
All photos below are "Thumbnails". This means, what's showing on your screen is a smaller version of the actual photo. Click on the smaller photo and this will bring up the regular size photo -then- use your "Back Arrow" to come back to this WebSite Page.
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(After viewing this Houdini Section - Part One page, please click on any of the buttons above to move to any of the other Pages)
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3112-2369) THE LIFE AND MANY DEATHs OF HARRY HOUDINI by Ruth Brandon.
HardBound with DustJacket.
Copyright 1993. Stated "First U.S. Edition", with 358 pages.
Published by Random House in New York City.
Besides the usual items found in Houdini Biographies, Ruth Brandon explains (in detail) the secrets of Houdini’s most celebrated escapes, but, more importantly, she asks:
"What was Houdini really trying to escape from?".
Searching for the answer, she reveals a man far more extraordinary than any audience could have imagined.
As the books states:
"Ruth Brandon reveals much that is new - including how Houdini invented a phantom son and wrote daily long letters to his wife, Bess. Also, the first full description of Houdini’s fabled death; and fresh material on the early life of Margery, the Medium who played such a significant role in Houdini’s life.
Chapters include:
The Manacled Diver - Rabbits from a Hat - Metamorphosis - Aaron’s Rod - Two Ladies - Freaks - Handcuff King - With One Bound He Was Free - The Disappearing Fathers Trick - All in the Mind - The Death and Resurrection Show - The Lady Vanishes - Film Star - Merlin’s Cave - Magician Among the Spirits - Margery - Inside the Coffin - Houdini Lives!
55 photos, some of which you wouldn’t normally see in a Houdini biography.
Book measures approx. 6 1/2"x9 1/2" - $25.00
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3113-6634) ARGOSY Magazine. Volume 256, # 1 for June 1, 1935.
Magazine is not in the greatest of shape and missing several pages from the back.
Inside, however, is the two page article: "Harry Houdini, handcuff king" under the magazine column "Men of Daring", True Story in Pictures by Stookie Allen.
This offering comes under the heading of you just never know when or where a Houdini article will turn up. This one almost nine years after his passing. -
$25.00
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3114-5599) AMERICAN HERITAGE Magazine. April 1972. Volume 13, #3.
This magazine comes HardBound, instead of paperbound like most magazines.
Contains: "Houdini's High-Flying Hoax" by Art Ronnie.
A wonderful article about the airplanes which collided during the filming of Houdini's movie "The Grim Game". A full six photos in this article -plus- great reading on what was almost tragic, but turned out to be the best thing for the movie. Houdini offered a Huge Reward to anyone who could prove this scene in the movie was not for real.
Since it DID Happen, this was a pretty safe bet and smart of Houdini to capitalize on the publicity, of the almost fatal stunt. - $15.00
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3122-8387) REMINISCE Magazine. Volume 10, #1 - January/February 2000.
Inside is the wonderful, one page, article: "HOUDINI...MY MAGICAL UNCLE" by Marie Hinson Blood.
Marie tells of the many memories of her favorite uncle. - $25.00 (check out the signed photo just below)
3123-0834) - Harry Houdini and Marie Hinson Signed 8x10 Photograph
This photo was produced and signed in 1993.
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3127-7855) HOUDINI FINAL TOUR POSTER.
Looks like a candy wrapper, but I assure you, this is a 4'x9' EXTREMELY RARE Houdini Poster from his Final Touring Season of 1926-1927. Divided into three sections, it advertises Houdini’s “Three Shows In One”. Could this be why the Poster is in three sections?
The First Section shows a drawing of Harry Houdini from mid-chest and up. “The Greatest Entertainer of All Time” boldly declared underneath. Section Two has: “The World Famous HOUDINI Master Mystifier”, across the whole 2nd section...with “3 Shows In One” just above this. This 2nd section (or middle) is four times the size of the two outside sections. The 3rd section boast: “Magic Illusions Escapes” -and- “Fraud Medium Expose”.
This was Houdini’s full evening performance. Magic and Illusions - followed by various Escapes and Challenges - ending with Houdini’s lecture (with glass slides) concerning his campaign against Fraudulent Mediums. Don’t you wish this had been preserved on film?!!
The poster came folded, which I’m guessing they ALL Did, due to their size. The folds can still be seen, due to the thickness in the paper. I would guess no amount of linen backing restoration could get these folds out. It is the thickness of a Movie Lobby Card or Window Card -and- I’ve had it mounted on linen by Garo’s of West Virginia, so you don’t have to worry about going to all this trouble. - $15,000.00
(Click on any of the ThumbNail photos to bring up larger pictures for more detail.)
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3128-8526) FRENCH POSTCARD WITH HOUDINIs INSCRIPTION AND SIGNATURE.
Postcard showing line drawing of jail cell with door open.
On other side is written in pencil: Suspended in crouching position
Then it’s signed: Harry Houdini
The French text under the jail cell reads:
100 LOCHES. - Le Donjon. - LL.
Cage du Cardinal de la Balue, Ministre de Louis XI, qui en avait sait
son confident. Il vendit les secrets de son maitre au Duc de Bourgogne. La
vengeance du Roi fut terrible. La Balue fut enferme dans une cage de fer
depuis Avril 1469 jusqu'en Decembre 1480.
The English translation:
100 LOACHES. (medieval city in Tours) - The Dungeon. - LL. (part of Loire river)
Cage of the Cardinal of Balue, Minister of Louis XI, whom the king had made
his confidant. He sold the secrets of his master to the Duke of Burgundy.
The vengeance of the King was terrible. Balue was locked up in an iron cage
from April 1469 until December 1480.
My great thanks to Stephen Forrester for providing the translation.
Just exactly what this postcard has to do with Houdini, I don’t know. The only thing I can think of is: Houdini must have visited this cell, was ‘suspended in a crouching position’ and escaped.
The postcard isn’t dated, but it DOES have Houdini’s handwritten inscription and Signature. - $1,500.00
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3129-8498) HOUDINIs 1919 PressBook for his movie: "THE GRIM
GAME".
The ReproCopy, offered here, was made from the ONLY KNOWN ORIGINAL COPY
of this PressBook - now residing at a private Houdini Collection, in Florida.
The PressBook measures 11"x17" and contains 24 PACKED pages (12 sheets printed on both sides) of information.
The PressBook is on Premium #4 grade, 20lb. copy bond paper. Ivory colored paper
was used, so the appearance would appear more Authentic, than just having a copy
on boring White Paper. - And, since the Original has Color on the Cover, the Cover
has been reproduced IN COLOR, to try and make this as Authentic looking as possible.
Please click the link below, for a detailed description of the Original PressBook:
www.GranHoudini.net/PressBook.htm
The PressBook as been bound together with staples (10 in all) along the left edge - making it easy to read, in a BookLike manner, instead of just having assorted loose pages. - $50.00
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3130-7596) 8x10 PHOTO OF HOUDINI
The photo comes from the movie: THE DAYs OF THRILLs AND LAUGHTER
This 1961 film was a composite feature about the films of the Silent Era, of which one of Houdini’s movies:
"The Man From Beyond" was showcased.Shows Houdini hanging off the edge of a cliff.
The photo has a wrinkle or two, but still in great condition.
Original photos, from Houdini’s Silent Films from 90 years ago, bring Hundreds of Dollars, so it’s nice a more modern version can be affordable and Still be 49
Years Old. - $35.00
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3084-1258) HOUDINIs ADVERTISING POSTER FOR HIS BOOK:
The Unmasking of Robert Houdin
Poster measures approx. 12"x18 1/2". Has a nice photo of Houdini sitting sideways on a chair, with book in his lap.
Poster is vanilla in color with black and red printing. Price of the book: $1.00
Some of the printing on the poster states:
"The Truth About Magic. The most fascination and Only Authentic Expose' and History of Magic Ever Written. 200 Superb Illustrations."
Then at the bottom is listed: "Conjurer's Magazine Publishing Company - New York City. N.Y."
Poster has been professionally matted and placed in a black wood frame. TruVue glass has been used, which provides for 98% of UV protection.
I've scanned three different sections. Please click the ThumbNail photo, to bring up the larger photo.
The scanned images are brighter than the actual poster itself. The first two photos, below, are truer to the actual color. Some reflection can be seen in the first photo, due to the glass.
Poster has a stain, at the top, which is actually on the backside and has bled through. I could of had this hidden, with the matts, but believe a Houdini poster should be displayed in its entirety.
Poster was folded at the middle, at sometime over its lifetime.
Poster mounted onto Linen for protection and preservation.
With most all other Houdini posters bringing $5.000.00 and up, this may be the only under valued one at this time.
Overall size of framed price is approx. 19 1/2"x25 1/2" - $3,500.00
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3016-3218) 8x10 PHOTOGRAPH OF BESS HOUDINI and EDWARD SAINT at a banquet table. Photo #1.
"Bailey - Mrs. Houdini - Saint" written in pencil on the backside.
Rubber stamped on backside:
Advertising Photography
By The Loomis Studio
707 East Broadway
Glendale Hotel Bldg.
Cltrus 27456 CHapman 52058
I couldn't identify any of the other attendee's of this banquet - maybe you can?!! - $200.00
Quick note from Bev
Bergeron, telling me the gentleman four over from Ed Saint,
on the far right hand side wearing glasses is Floyd Thayer.
Thanks, Bev!!
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3017
-98992) 8x10 PHOTOGRAPH OF BESS HOUDINI and EDWARD SAINT at a banquet table. Photo #2."Ed Saint" written in pencil on the backside.
Rubber stamped on backside:
Advertising Photography
By The Loomis Studio
707 East Broadway
Glendale Hotel Bldg.
Cltrus 27456 CHapman 52058
I couldn't identify any of the other attendee's of this banquet - maybe you can?!! - $200.00
Quick note from Bev
Bergeron, telling me the gentleman four over from Ed Saint,
on the far right hand side wearing glasses and arms crossed, is Floyd
Thayer. Thanks, Bev!!
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FIVE HOUDINI FRONT PAGE
ARTICLEs
FROM THE CHICAGO AMERICAN NEWSPAPER
March 8th, 11th, 15th, 16th, 17th 1926
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2982-8267) While Houdini was appearing at the Shubert Princess Theatre in Chicago, during March 1926, he launched a MASSIVE newspaper exposé of fraudulent Mediums.
What's offered here are five "Front Page" articles from the Chicago American Newspaper dated March 8th, 11th, 15th, 16th, 17th 1926.
Each newspaper page measures approx. 17 1/2"x21 1/2".
This is not the whole newspaper, only the article.
(a) Monday, March 8, 1926.
Four GREAT photos, across the top of the newspaper page, showing Houdini making spirit hands.
Article by Houdini:
Banner Headline reads:
Article continues on opposite side(not shown).
(b) Thursday, March 11, 1926.
As can been seen from the photo above, there's a sensational photo of a medium, Mrs. Minnie Reichert, being exposed for using a trumpet to make sounds "from beyond".
Mrs. Riechert's voice was suppose to be that of "Chief Blackhawk", her spirit guide to the 'other side'.
In addition to this, there are four photos of Houdini showing how mediums fooled skeptics with the trumpet moves.
Article by Houdini:
Article continues onto a second page (not shown).
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(c) Monday, March 15, 1926.
Houdini demonstrates to Helen McGuire how mediums would read messages in sealed envelopes.
Article by Houdini:
Banner Headline states:
Article continues on opposite side(not shown)
(d) Tuesday, March 16, 1926.
In this article, Houdini demonstrates, to Ruth Greenland, how mediums can fly; a confederate taps the subject on the shoulder; Ringing a bell, while the subjects think both of Houdini's feet are being confined; and using a tambourine, while the subject thinks she's being touched by both of Houdini's hands.
Article by Houdini:
Banner across the top of the page:
Article continues on otherside(not shown).
(e) Wednesday, March 17, 1926.
As can been seen from the photo above, there are four GREAT photo's of Houdini and his assistant (Julia Sawyer) showing how mediums Materialize Ectoplasm and astral flesh.
Article by Houdini:
Banner across the top of the article:
Article continues on opposite side(not shown).
The articles would look GREAT Framed!! -
$250.00/each -or- $1000.00/(for all 5)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2973-1789) TYPED/SIGNED LETTER BY HARDEEN
Hardeen, Brother of Houdini
This letter is on Hardeen's personal stationery and addressed to Stanley Burns.
Mr. Stanley Burns
1088 Bryant ave.
Bronx, N.Y.
My dear Stanley;-
Enclosed you will find application blank. Kindly fill
out and return to me.
You paid Al Flosso three dollars for the Magazine
as you send me a cheque for seven dollars for your dues, as you get the
magazine for nothing from the Guild.
Kindest regards, I am
Cordially yours
Theo.
Theo. Hardeen
Dated March 13th, 1945. - $500.00
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2945-6547) CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY GROUP PHOTO OF BESS HOUDINI and FRIENDs
The photo measures approx. 7 5/8"x9 1/2".
"1937-9"
written in pencil -and-
"Photo by G. E. Baxter"
written in ink on backside
Those I've been able to identify, on the front row are:
Edward Saint, Jacob Hyman (the original Brother's Houdini partner
of Harry
Houdini), Bess Houdini, Mr. and Mrs. R.M. Walker.
Mr. and Mrs. Walker owned the house at 2435 Laurel Canyon, where Harry and Bess Houdini lived in 1919, while making motion pictures.
Then Bess and Ed Saint lived in the house, for a while, in the 1930s.
Some of the others in the photo are:
Gerald Kosky, Caryl Fleming. L.O. Gunn, Vic and Carolyn Trask, Lyda Hyman.
Great fun photo, full of Houdiniana history from 70+ years ago. - $350.00
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2949-6629) Harry Houdini and Marie Hinson Signed 8x10 Photograph
This photo was produced and signed in 1993.
2959-2794) POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY, Volume 108, #2 - February 1926
Inside: "My Rope Escapes" by Houdini
The article is three pages, in length, and accompanied with a dozen great photos and illustrations.
Some of the escapes Houdini explains include:
The Handkerchief Release
You Can Slip Out Of Your Coat With Your Wrists Tied
The Thumb Tie
The "Full View Of The Audience" Release.
This article published just Eight Months before his death. - $45.00
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2960-7862) READERs DIGEST Magazine for February 1976.
Volume 108, #646. 239 pages.
Inside there’s an article:
“Houdini, The Man No Lock Could Hold”
by James
Stewart-Gordon.
Interesting stuff!! -
$1
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2961-8716)
HOUDINI On The Covers Of
The Magic SYMbol
Magazine a)
Volume 5, #7 - July 1989
- Cover shows promotional photo of Houdini and his young niece, Marie Blood. -
Small article next to photo:
"Houdini...He Was Just Uncle Harry To
Me"
by Marie Blood. - On the next page is a nice photo of Marie Blood with Dixie
and Jennifer Dooley. -
$15.00
b) Volume 6, #12 - December 1990 - Cover shows a photo from Houdini's movie, "The Master Mystery". There's a one-third page article, on the next page, by Marie Blood: "Houdini, The Master Mystery". - $15.00
c) Volume 8, #5 - May 1992 - Cover shows a photo of Houdini sitting in his bi-plane. Also, on the cover, "HOUDINI, The Pilot" by Frank W. Dailey. This article continues onto all of page 2 and half of page 3. There's a half page photo of Houdini flying the bi-plane on page 2, as well. Touches on Houdini's 1909 flight, in Germany, before his history making Australian flight.- $15.00
a
)
b)
c)
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2962-3206) SAGA Magazine. Volume 16, #4. July 1958.
Spread out over NINE pages is the article: "THE INCREDIBLE SAGA OF HARRY HOUDINI" by William Lindsay Gresham.
"Houdini laughed at handcuffs and shackles, broke out of the world’s toughest prisons and swore he’d even return from the grave".
A nice early accounting of Houdini’s life by the author who would go on to release a 300 page book on Houdini the following year. - $25.00
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2939-9769) THE MASTER MYSTERY by Arthur B. Reeve and John W. Grey.
Copyright 1919 by Harper & Brothers. Published in New York by Grosset & Dunlap. 304 pages.
Houdini's First attempt in making Silent Motion Pictures was in the form of a 15 Part Serial titled:
"The Master Mystery"
The book, offered here, is what's called a Photoplay Edition. From time to time, these were published along with a movie's release.
Scattered through out the book are full page photo's from the movie.
Included, with this offering, is a reproduction DustJacket. The Original DJs are quite Scarce and add a couple thousand dollars to the value. - $200.00
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2925-4125) Houdini Fraudulent Spirit Medium Lecture
Print this out and give to your Mom/Dad - Husband/Wife - GrandMother/GrandFather - BoyFriend/GirlFriend - Lover, etc. etc.
Tell them THIS is what you'd like to have for a gift this December.
Or January, February, March if your Birthday, Anniversary, etc. is then.
You get the idea.....
Looking for something to spice up your magic club meetings, annual magic banquets, that "Special Show"?
Or, just collect, since no one's offered something like this before?
Well, then this is for you!!!
You will receive:
(1) The 3-ring binder, with a reproduction of one of the posters Houdini used to advertise his lecture, filling up almost the whole cover.
(2) The Photo CDRom, with all 67 photo's. Each numbered in the exact order as the lecture text.
(3) 5 pages, double spaced for ease in reading, of Houdini's opening speech prior to giving the lecture.
(4) 14 pages, also double spaced, consisting of the original Houdini Fraudulent Spirit Medium Lecture. Followed by detailed description of the additional photos added by Oscar Teale and Frederick Eugene Powell.
Ready to be presented to your intrigued audience. Photo numbers listed at paragraph beginning, so you'll know when to change the photo on the screen during your PowerPoint presentation.
(5) Two color contact photo sheets, showing the 67 photo's. A visual "Index" you might say -and- a must, should you remove any of the 4"x6" photo prints from their sleeves. If you do, you can refer to these two "Index" sheets and make sure the photo's go back in the correct order.
(6) 67 4"x6" color photo prints. Each in its own sleeve and in the same order as the lecture text -and- photo "Index" sheet.
(7) A Xerox reproduction of the letter which lists the slides and with a typed note indicating that the hand painted colored slides were the property of Houdini.
Price for all this history is $75.00
Please CLICK HERE to see
the full description for the HOUDINI LECTURE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2931-8546) HOUDINI 1919 SILENT FILM MOVIE LOBBY CARD:
THE GRIM GAME
Scene shows Houdini struggling to get out of a car, while surrounded by policemen and detectives.
One policeman holding Houdini's handcuffed right hand, while a second policeman has Houdini's left hand behind his head, trying to put on the second set of handcuffs.
The caption reads:
"Thwarted - But Only For a Moment!"
This Lobby Card is in color, which makes it even more RARE, than the same Non-Colored image Lobby Card.
Lobby Card measures approx. 11"x14". - $3,500.00
LayAway is available, should you wish this service.
I ask for a 10% deposit (and this can be more if you wish), then you set up your own payments.
I'm a firm believer, only the buyer knows their finances best - so it's only right they set up their payment plan.
The words "Houdini Lobby Card" are only superimposed on the Lobby Card -and- as you can see by the photo, the Lobby Card is in great condition. For a better view, click on the 'thumbnail' photo to bring up the larger photo.
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2932-6326) "HOUDINI FOR PRESIDENT" PostCard
None other than the Wonderful photo used as the image for the 37cent Houdini stamp, issued in July 2002.
When held at an angle, shows sepia. But, as you can see from the photo's below, it shows just fine in proper light.
There's some rubbing and the writing side has remnants from being removed from a scrapbook or something. I've tried to show this in the photo's below.
All this has been taken into consideration in the pricing.
No matter how you look at it - This Is A RARE PostCard - in any condition. - $1,000.00
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2933-4538) HOUDINI Advertising Flyer From 1913 Apollo Theatre in Nuremberg (#1)
Houdini's mother passed away on July 17th, 1913.
For the whole month of August, Houdini visited his Mother's grave, till he sailed on August 30th from New York City on the Hamburg-American line "Imperator".
On September 16th, Houdini opened at the Apollo Theatre, in Nuremberg, Germany, opening the act with his needle swallowing act - and closing with his famous Water Torture Cell illusion, which he had just debuted a year earlier, during his performances at the Circus Busch theatre in Berlin.
As a publicity stunt on Thursday, September 18th, Houdini would have himself placed in shackles, handcuffs and chains, then jump into the Dutzendteich river.
What's offered here are two different advertising flyers for Houdini appearance at the Apollo Theatre in Nuremberg.
The first measures 6 5/8"x9" and is shown below.
Portions of the right edge are missing and is a little hard to see in the photo below, since I scanned the image with a black background. Look closely and you'll be able to see.
And, of course, "GranHoudini.net" doesn't appear on the actual item.
Both are in German, below is the translation.
The flyer states:
Harry Houdini offers a 5000 Mark reward to anyone who proves that he receives air in the Underwater Escape cabinet.
The trick that Houdini performs every evening in the Apollo Theater is awesome. In order to prove this, Harry Houdini will try to escape openly under water.
On Thursday, the 18th of September, in the afternoon between 4 and 5 o'clock, the American Houdini will jump off a boat (into the water), after he has been locked into heavy shackles, handcuffs and chains, by the public and representatives of the local press -- Not into the Pegnitz, which is not deep enough, but into the Dutzendteich, at the deepest point.
The chains alone are so heavy that Harry Houdini must sink to the bottom because of the weight.
Comes with a quality 8x10 (not computer print out) photo of
HOUDINI, upside down, inside the Water Torture Cell.
A great early piece of advertising for Houdini and his "Underwater Escape Cabinet". - $2,500.00
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2934-2366) HOUDINI Advertising Flyer From 1913 Apollo Theatre in Nuremberg (#2)
Houdini's mother passed away on July 17th, 1913.
For the whole month of August, Houdini visited his Mother's grave, till he sailed on August 30th from New York City on the Hamburg-American line "Imperator".
On September 16th, Houdini opened at the Apollo Theatre, in Nuremberg, Germany, opening the act with his needle swallowing act - and closing with his famous Water Torture Cell illusion, which he had just debuted a year earlier, during his performances at the Circus Busch theatre in Berlin.
As a publicity stunt on Thursday, September 18th, Houdini would have himself placed in shackles, handcuffs and chains, then jump into the Dutzendteich river.
What's offered here are two different advertising flyers for Houdini appearance at the Apollo Theatre in Nuremberg.
The second measures 6 5/8"x9 1/2" and is shown below.
A piece or two is missing from the right edge.
And, of course, "GranHoudini.net" doesn't appear on the actual item.
Both are in German, below is the translation.
The flyer states:
Apollo --
A. 8 1/4 (possibly 8.15 in the evening) Telephone 1743 16th - 30th of September.
Completely
new Variety Programm
and Guest Performance
For the first time
In Nuremberg!
Harry
Houdini
During his local guest performance,
Houdini brings for the first time the Underwater Escape
(one mistake means death)
Houdini offers a 5000 Mark reward to
anyone who can prove that
Houdini receives air while in the cabinet.
Tickets 10:45 - 1 then from 5:00.
Telephone 1743. Doors open at 7:30,
show starts at 8:15 ends shortly before 11:00. All seats are numbered.
Ticket prices without taxes or program -- Gallery seat 0.70, II Level
seats 1.00 II level front seats 1.30 -- Reserved seats salon 1:30,
Reserved seats salon front 1.50. I Level seats 2.10. I level front 3.40,
Orchestra-armchair seats 3.10 Standing room 0.50, 0.70 and 1.20
Every Wednesday afternoon 3:30, Ladies
performance
Every Sunday afternoon 3:30, Public Performance (literally, people's
performance) reduced prices.
Comes with a quality 8x10 (not computer print out) photo of
HOUDINI, upside down, inside the Water Torture Cell.
The two would look GREAT framed with each other!!
A great early piece of advertising for Houdini and his "Underwater Escape". - $2,500.00
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2940-2676) MIRACLE MONGERs and THEIR METHODs by Houdini.
HardBound and measures 5½"x7 3/4". Copyright 1920. 2nd printing February 1929.
Published by E. P. Dutton and Company. New York. 240 pages. Nice tight binding with Red Cloth covers. A little fading on the spine.
Chapters include:
Fire worship - Watton’s Ship-swabber from the Indies - The nineteenth century - The Master-Chabert - Fire-eating magicians - The Arcana of the fire-eaters - The spheroidal condition of liquids - Sword-swallowers - Stone-eaters - Defiers of poisonous - Strongmen of the eighteenth century - Contemporary strong people.
18 Illustrations and photos. - $100.00
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2844-1522) HOUDINI BRONZE COMMEMORATIVE TOKEN
Issued for the Society of American Magicians, by the Franklin Mint, to honor the 100th birthday of Houdini, in 1974.
OBVERSE: Bust of Houdini, facing slightly to the right.
"100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF HARRY HOUDINI * 1874 * 1974" around the inside rim of the Token.
REVERSE: Houdini standing, bent over at the waist and cuffed. And, there's another image of Houdini's shackled wrists.
"MY CHIEF TASK HAS BEEN TO CONQUER FEAR" around the inside rim of the Token. - $35.00
-----
Another Houdini Token. This one with a little wear on one side.. - $20.00
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2847-8956) HOUDINI ESCAPE ARTICLEs FROM 1918
As the articles state, Houdini would (for the most part) always perform escapes from behind a curtain. For the sake of this article, Houdini performed this escape before the cameras and editors of Ladies Home Journal. As can be seen from the photos below - there are some Great Pictures of Houdini.
(a) From the May 1918 issues of Ladies Home Journal magazine.
HOW I GET OUT OF A STRAIT-JACKET by Harry Houdini.
(b) From the June 1918 issues of Ladies Home Journal magazine.
HOW I GET OUT OF MY ROPE TIES by Harry Houdini.
This was Houdini’s second article for the LHJ.
This one having to do with his Rope Escapes.
It shows a fine batch of pictures showing his escape.
Both articles measure approx. 10 1/2"x16" -
$65.00(each)a)
b)
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2850-5639) TWO SHEETs OF THE 37cent HOUDINI STAMP
20 stamps come to a sheet.
The one sheet is as it would have come from the Post Office. Brand new and ready to be used.
The second sheet is the Special One, as it was canceled at the 2002 Society of American of Magicians convention in New York on July 3rd.
The Houdini stamp was ‘officially dedicated’ at the convention, with Houdini’s niece Marie Blood in attendance.
David Copperfield was there, too.
The canceled sheet shows the July 3, 2002 New York postal cancellation mark -and- "First Day Issue".
Below, you’ll see photos of both the Houdini Stamp Sheets offered here, all of which have been double matted, professionally framed, with nonGlare glass.
This offering is for the framed piece, which includes the two sheets of stamps shown above the frame.
The cherry wood frame measures approx. 22"x14". - $100.00
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2830-4555) THE RIGHT WAY TO DO WRONG, an Expose' of Successful Criminals by Harry Houdini.
This IS NOT a reprint, but an actual ORIGINAL COPY from 1906!!
Front Cover has pieces missing, as does the Back Cover (see photo's below). Inside pages are just fine.
For those of you not familiar with this book, it has to do with an Expose' of Professional Burglar's, Thieves, Pickpocket's, Beggar's, Bunco Men, Bogus Treasurers, Famous Swindles, Cheating Uncle Sam, etc. etc.
The BONUS of this offering, this copy came directly from the Library of Congress.
When I asked the seller about this, he told me:
"Libraries of today have book sales to clear out some of their books, in order to make room for new arrivals and to raise money.
So did the Library of Congress, till they stopped this practice."
On the copyright page is a rubber stamp showing:
Two Copies Received
APR 13 1906
Considering the donation date, this may have been donated by Houdini himself!! - $500.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TWO PIECEs OF HOUDINI ADVERTISING
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2835-7457) THE MAN FROM BEYOND
From
Moving Picture World Magazine
- April 22, 1922
=====
Greatest Praise Ever Bestowed On Any Screen Production
The Verdict of the Press
HOUDINI
In His Initial Photodrama for His Own Company
"The Man From Beyond"
Now Playing TIMEs SQUARE THEATRE, New York
(20 assorted reviews from newspapers and magazines)
Unlimited Exploitation Possibilities
To Be Distributed Through State Right Exchanges
HOUDINI agrees to appear in person in conjunction with
"The Man From Beyond" in a limited number of key cities
=====
Ad piece has been double matted and shrink wrapped, with form core backing.
The first two photos, below, were taken with my digital camera. They're a little washed out, due to the shrink wrap covering. The third, from my scanner, shows a better quality photo.
Red dots are from my digital camera and not on the item itself.
Measures 12"x16" - a standard size, so you can buy a nice ready-made frame -and- hang on your wall. - $75.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2837-9945) HARRY HOUDINI, THE HANDCUFF KING - PRESENTED WITH LOVING CUP
This Full Page article published in the October 1901 issue of MAHATMA Magazine.
Houdini was in Essen, Germany when the Loving Cup was presented to him.
Presented during his farewell performance at the Colloseum Theatre.
The article goes on to describe the evening, Houdini's performance, the over crowding of the audience (for one last look at HOUDINI) - right down to describing specially manufactured handcuffs and leg irons for the Challenge, at the end of the evenings performance.
The Loving Cup was made of silver, stands 35 inches high, weighs 40 pounds, and is all inlaid with the 1900 issue of 3 and 5 Mark silver pieces.
There are over 600 marks, in money, in the cup alone.
GAD, does anybody know whatever happened to this Loving Cup?!!
When HOUDINI was only 27 years old, he was taking Europe by storm.
This article goes into great detail.
HOUDINI would stay overseas, from the summer of 1900 for five years, crisscrossing the countries - till he finally returned for engagements in the United States.
Piece has been double matted and shrink wrapped, with form core backing.
The first two photos, below, were taken with my digital camera. They're a little washed out, due to the shrink wrap covering. The third, from my scanner, shows a better quality photo.
Measures 12"x16" - a standard size, so you can buy a nice ready made frame -and- hang on your wall. - $75.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2796-3204) EIGHT Macon, Georgia NEWSPAPERS FROM 1919 WITH ADVERTISEMENTs AND ARTICLES FOR HOUDINIs 15-PART SERIAL: "THE MASTER MYSTERY". Each paper has a nice size advertisement for the Houdini movie. The eight are Sunday complete papers (running approx. 40 pages), each advertising Serial Episode numbers 1 thru 7 and 9. Some of the papers also have articles about the movie.
Dates, advertisements and articles include:
August 3,
1919
- page 5, 6 1/2"x7" adv. for Episode #1 -and-
2"x4" article: "Big Serial Coming to the Princess" August
10, 1919 - page 3, 6 3/8"x4 3/4" adv. for Episode #2
-and-
2"x5 1/2" article: "Houdini Does New Stunt
Picture" August
17, 1919
- page 5, 4 1/4"x6" adv. for Episode #3. August
24, 1919
- page 5 (second section), 4 1/4"x5" adv. for Episode
#4 -and- 2"x2 1/4" article: "Houdini Escapes From Diving
Suit" August 31, 1919
- page 4, 4
1/4"x5 3/4" adv. for Episode #5 September 7, 1919
- page 7 (second section) 6 1/2"x2 1/4" adv. for Episode #6 September
14, 1919
- page 11 (second section) 3 1/4"x6 1/2" adv. for
Episode #7 (See Houdini escape from the Electric Chair) September
28, 1919
- page 9 (second section) 4 1/4"x4 1/2" adv. for
Episode # 9 -and- 2"x5" article: "New Houdini Feats Shown
in 9th Episode" I hate to be redundant with the word
RARE, but what can I say? It’s tough enough to find ANY complete
newspaper with a Houdini movie advertisement and here are a total of 8 -
From 90 Years Ago!!
-
$75.00/each
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2773-4678) HOUDINI,
THE ADVENTUROUS LIFE OF A VERSATILE ARTIST 1924
edition of the pitch book which sold at the theatre’s Houdini was
appearing. 64pp. Paperbound. Orange covers with smiling photo of Houdini on
cover. Measures approx. 5 1/2"x8".
Usually, what you see offered is the more common 1922
edition. Tons of photos and a wealth of
information on Houdini. How
many of you are aware there was a 1924 PitchBook? Where’s the difference, well there are two. This
1924 edition is 1/4" shorter and printed on the back cover is an
advertising for Houdini’s book: The ad reads: "SPIRITUALISM
- A New Book by Houdini (soon on the press) Equally important for the Believer,
The Skeptic, and the Open-Minded Seeker after truth. - Write for particulars -
HOUDINI, 278 West 113th Street, New York City". The ad is actually printed three times in
this PitchBook. On page 45, the inside of the back cover and on the back cover.
None of these, printed in the earlier 1922 edition. The
front and back covers have a few tears and on the front cover, there’s a white
area, as though something was stuck there and when removed, some of the orange
colored paper came up with it. This white area does NOT affect any of Houdini’s
photo or any of the wording. It is solely in the orange background area. If
you don’t have this
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2794-1360) FULL-PAGE
HOUDINI ADVERTISEMENT -and- THEATRE
PROGRAM for the 1917-1918 New York Hippodrome Theatre. The
adv. shows a packing case, roped and being lowered over the side of a ship, with
an oval insert photo of Houdini. The adv. reads: "The World’s Most Famous Dare-Devil HOUDINI
In The Submersible Iron-Bound Box Mystery. Note - it is generally conceded that
it is a physical impossibility for any Human being to escape from a submerged
submarine. Houdini submits this marvelous experiment as suggesting a possible
solution." At the lower left corner of this adv. is: "© HOUDINI
1917." The program shows all the acts performing in
"Charles Dillingham presents "CHEER UP", A Musical Revue in 3
Cheers". Houdini appears twice on the bill. Houdini's two appearances in
the programs read: (First appearance) EXCLUSIVE
ENGAGEMENT OF THE WORLD-FAMOUS HOUDINI. Who Offers His Latest Creation,
"The Vanishing Elephant". The Most Colossal Disappearing Mystery that
History Records. Dissolving into thin air, on the largest stage in the world, an
elephant weighing 10,000 pounds. Before one’s very eyes, in a full blaze of
light, with bewildering rapidity, this pachyderm monster suddenly eludes the
vision. (Second appearance) EXCLUSIVE
ENGAGEMENT OF THE WORLD-FAMOUS HOUDINI. Introducing at every performance his
original, uncanny and perilous feat of extrication. The Submersible Iron-Bound
Box Mystery. Manacled and roped, Houdini will be nailed into an iron-bound box
burdened with 300 pounds of weights, and the box lowered into a tank containing
500,000 gallons of water. The box, being perforated, will fill with water within
twenty seconds. To escape drowning, Houdini must therefore release himself while
submerged. A committee of investigation is invited on stage at every
performance. This was Houdini's Longest Run at any one theatre. 19
weeks, from Jan. 7th to May 18th, 1918. These two items have been professionally Matted and
Framed. The frame being of Cherry Wood with a gold inner trim next to the glass.
The Houdini advertisement
measures 8"x10½" and the program/bill 17"x10 1/4". The
overall measurement is 34 1/2"x16 1/2". - $500.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2771-9643) Houdini and Conan Doyle, The Story of A
Strange Friendship
By M.L. Bernard Ernst and Heweward Carrington
Copyright 1933. Published in London, England
by Hutchinson and Company, Ltd.
HardBound FIRST BRITISH EDITION with 255pages.
Chapters include:
The Houdini-Doyle Correspondence - Houdini: Life and Character
- Doyle’s Explanation of Fraud Among Mediums - Houdini’s Performance at the London Hippodrome
- Sir William Cookes’ Investigations of Spiritualistic Phenomena - Brief History of Spiritualism
- The "Crewe Circle" - The Houdini’s and the Doyle's at Atlantic City
- The Scientific American Prize - Correspondence Between Doyle and Mrs. Houdini After Houdini’s Death
- Correspondence Between Doyle and B. M. L. Ernst (Houdini’s lawyer and co-author of this book)
Fascinating material between these two Giants of their time.
Spine of cloth cover has a waffling appearance, which continues onto a small
area of the back cover. Covers are nice and tight, not loose - as are all the
pages inside. - $250.00
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2773-5498) HIPPODROME PROGRAM FOR THE
1917-18 SEASON The program shows all the acts performing in
"Charles Dillingham
presents "CHEER UP" A Musical Revue in 3 Cheers". Houdini appears twice on the bill. Houdini's two appearances in the programs
are: (First appearance) EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT OF THE WORLD-FAMOUS HOUDINI. Who
Offers His Latest Creation, "The Vanishing Elephant". The Most
Colossal Disappearing Mystery that History Records. Dissolving into thin air, on
the largest stage in the world, an elephant weighing 10,000 pounds. Before
one’s very eyes, in a full blaze of light, with bewildering rapidity, this
pachyderm monster suddenly eludes the vision. (Second appearance) EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT OF THE WORLD-FAMOUS HOUDINI.
Introducing at every performance his original, uncanny and perilous feat of
extrication. The Submersible Iron-Bound Box Mystery. Manacled and roped, Houdini
will be nailed into an iron-bound box burdened with 300 pounds of weights, and
the box lowered into a tank containing 500,000 gallons of water. The box, being
perforated, will fill with water within twenty seconds. To escape drowning,
Houdini must therefore release himself while submerged. A committee of
investigation is invited on stage at every performance. Earlier in the program, Houdini has a Full Page Advertisement, which
shows a packing case, roped and being lowered over the side of a ship, with an
oval insert photo of Houdini. The adv. reads: "The World’s Most Famous Dare-Devil HOUDINI In The Submersible Iron-Bound
Box Mystery. Note - it is generally conceded that it is a physical impossibility
for any Human being to escape from a submerged submarine. Houdini submits this
marvelous experiment as suggesting a possible solution." At the lower left
corner of this adv. is: "© HOUDINI 1917." This was Houdini's Longest Run at any one theatre. 19 weeks, from Jan. 7th to
May 18th, 1918. As can be seen from the photo's
below, this program is really in great
condition. The covers are attached, even though they have torn away from the
program about half way up from the bottom. But, this still leaves the attached
upper half keeping the program covers together. - $275.00 (Included with this offering is a
vintage/old PostCard of the New York Hippodrome where Houdini appeared)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LayAway is available - if
this is for you, just email for details.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ REMEMBER, all photos are
Thumbnails - click on the photo to bring up the LARGER photo.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (After viewing this Houdini
Section - Part One page,
please click on any of the buttons above to move to any of the other Pages)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 are the Copyright of Stephen A. Sparks Collectibles and may not be reproduced in any form or manner without permission of Stephen A. Sparks.
Stephen A. Sparks
Stephen A. Sparks Collectibles
Specializing in Houdiniana
P. O. Box 1345
Spring, Texas 77383-1345 USA
281-353-1014 (Phone) ~ 281-827-4001
(Cell)
Email: Houdini374@aol.com Ebay's: Gran*Houdini
PayPal or a Postal Money Order gets your order shipped within 24 hours of receipt, unless it arrives on a Friday or Saturday, then it will go out first thing Monday morning. ALL other forms of payment must clear first.
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