Stephen A. Sparks Collectibles

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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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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Remember, after viewing this page, click any of the Buttons above, to be to taken to one
of the Other Nine WebPages - where you'll find ManyMore items for sale.

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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:
"Demands Proof Of Psychic Events"

Banner Headline reads:
Houdini Bares Frauds At Séances

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:
"Flashlight Reveals Medium In Fraud"

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:
"Houdini Tells How (John) Slater Dodged His Challenge"

Banner Headline states:
Reading Through An Envelope Exposed By Houdini

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:
"Mediums Use Feet To Deceive"

Banner across the top of the page:
Medium Fly and Hold Hand ~ But It's Tricky Business ~ Say Houdini

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:
"Houdini Brands Ectoplasm As Big Fraud"

Banner across the top of the article:
Fraud Mediums Are Handy Folks At Inventing Tricks

Article continues on opposite side(not shown).

                      

The articles would look GREAT Framed!! - $250.00/each -or- $1000.00/(for all 5)

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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.

 
Photo shows Houdini and his niece, Marie Hinson Blood, taken on set of one of Houdini's silent movies.
 
HAND SIGNED by Marie Blood
 
The delightful Marie Blood, niece of Harry Houdini, and the only relative (aside from Bess) to have appeared on stage with, and to have lived in the home of Houdini, passed away on November 2, 2004.
 
Marie wrote a portion of Pulitzer-Prize winning author Kenneth Silverman's biography on Houdini. She lectured at the national conventions of The International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Society of American Magicians.
 
In 2002, along with David Copperfield, Marie introduced the popular HOUDINI POSTAGE STAMP, in New York, on the date the stamp was released to the public. Marie participated in a nationally televised David Blaine publicity stunt (buried beneath a container of water), and was featured on other nationally broadcast Houdini-related specials including THE SEARCH FOR HOUDINI, hosted by Star Trek's William Shatner, as well as several episodes of television's INSIDE EDITION, and a nationally broadcast special, produced by Wisconsin Public Television.
 
Marie was also featured in TIME MAGAZINE, when she took part in the 50th annual Houdini Séance, in Appleton, Wisconsin.
 
This wonderful photograph, a reproduction of the original photo from the 1920s, was created for her appearances.
  
If you had the opportunity to meet Marie, at one of the national conventions, you carried away treasured memories of a unique personality, and special memories. Not only of Magic's most famous performer, but of his wonderful niece. - $75.00

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!! - $15.00

   

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2961-8716) HOUDINI On The Covers Of The Magic SYMbol Magazine

a) Volume 3, #6/7 - April/May 1987 - Column, on the left, all about Houdini. Plus, another paragraph, on the next page, concerning an upcoming Houdini TV special. - $12.50

b) 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. - $12.50 (I can also provide the Marie Blood signed Houdini photo for $75.00)

c) Volume 5, #11 - June 1989 - Photo of The Outagamie Museum, on the cover, with article about the museum and the hosting of Sidney Radner's Houdini collection. Article continues on the first half of the next page. Also a nice photo of Dixie Dooley with Sid Radner. - Under "Dailey's Dates" is a quarter page article discussing when Bess and Harry Houdini started to date. - $12.50

(Of the last two listings, one must be mis-numbered, since the covers show #7 as July 1989 and #11 as June 1989)

d) 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

e) 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) d) e)

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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

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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.

The two would look GREAT framed with each other!!

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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2936-7539) ORIGINAL HOUDINI and BESS POSTCARD.

This PostCard is from London 1907 and shows Bess sitting in a large wooden chair, with Houdini sitting on the arm of the chair, just to Bess’ left. At the bottom of the postcard, in the white border area, it reads the following:

Mr. & Mrs. Harry Houdini (this is centered)

Campbell-Gray, Ltd., 88, Edgware Road, W (this is in smaller print and off to the right side)

PostCard has not been used. $750.00

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2939-9764) MIRACLE MONGERs and THEIR METHODs by Harry Houdini.

Copyright 1920. FIRST EDITION with reproduction DustJacket.

Published by E. P. Dutton and Company. New York. 240 pages.

As the book states: A complete expose of the Modus Operandi of Fire Eaters, Heat Resisters, Poison Eaters, Venomous Reptile Defiers, Sword Swallowers, Human Ostriches, Strong Men, etc. This book has been written from the inside, and is probably the first authentic account and explanation of the wonders of the side show faker, the mountebank and the market place exhibitor. The secrets of all of these are laid bare in the most interesting fashion, and the illustrations, many of them obtained from rare sources, assist in making this one of the most varied and entertaining books in a generation.

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.

As can be seen in the photos, the repro DustJacket is about 90% there. Only missing a couple small pieces on the front/back covers and the larger piece missing from the spine.

The last one of these, I had, was in Near Mint/Mint condition and sold for $300.00. The book offered here has some wear and tear. This has been taken into consideration in the pricing of this book. Please look at the photo's below, the book isn't all that bad. For a better look, click any ThumbNail photo to bring up the larger photo.

18 Illustrations and photos. A VERY SCARCE BOOK!!! - $200.00

   

   

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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.

 

-----

Another Houdini Token. This one with a little wear on one side.. - $20.00

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2847-8956) HOUDINI ARTICLE FROM 1918

From the May 1918 issues of Ladies Home Journal magazine.

HOW I GET OUT OF A STRAIT-JACKET by Harry Houdini.

As the article states, 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.

Measures approx. 10 1/2"x16" - $65.00

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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". - $65.00/each -or- $100.00/for both

   

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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

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TWO PIECEs OF HOUDINI ADVERTISING

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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

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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

   

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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

     

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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

         

       

     

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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: "A Magician Among The Spirits".

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 Very Scarce Edition in your library, you can now. - $300.00

     

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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

         

 

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2791-6519) THE SPHINX MAGAZINE. Volume 5, #6 - August 1906.

Cover: Woodcut drawing of Robert Nickel. - ½page adv. for Houdini’s magazine "Conjurers’ Monthly Magazine". With oval insert photo of Houdini. - Small tear along bottom of magazine, going through all pages, but thanks to large margins, no text, photo’s, etc. affected.

Extremely Scarce EARLY advertisement for Houdini. - $50.00

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2792-9832) SPHINX Magazine. October 1948. Volume 47,#8

Photo of Houdini about to be lowered into the Chinese Water Cell on the cover. Inside a 1/3 page article about this.

This magazine has no other Houdiniana, but some of the articles inside include:

The "All Thru" Cane by Karrell Fox - Crime Does Not Pay by P.C. Sorcar - Congres Magique International by Victor Peacock - Abbott's Get-Together - London Notes by Wilfrid Jonson - Murdock's Magic Act by George DeMott - South American Notes by E. Leslie Briant - T.A.O.M. Second Annual Conclave - M.A.E.S. Convention.

Obviously, since I Specialize in Houdiniana, I'm offering this issue to those of you who collect Houdini of the front of magazines and don't have this one in your collection. - $35.00

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2761-8521) GOOD WEEKEND, The Age Magazine - March 18, 2000

From Australia, this is a Large-Size magazine in that it measures approx. 10 3/4"x13 3/4"

Inside, there's a 3-page article about Houdini:

THE FLYING SHOWMAN by Alan Attwood

The lead-in states:

Harry Houdini, peerless escapologist and tireless self-promoter, hankered after a place in aviation history. Aiming to make the first controlled powered flight in Australia, he went up 90 years ago today. But was he pipped at post.

Nice detailed article about Houdini's flight at Diggers Rest. - $50.00

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REMEMBER, all photos are Thumbnails - click on the photo to bring up the LARGER photo.

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2769-2299) TYPED/SIGNED LETTER BY HARDEEN

This letter is on Hardeen's personal stationery and addressed to Louis Levassor.

Mr. Louis E. Levassor,
Levassor Place.
Covington, Ky.

My dear Mr. Levassor:-

                                         I wish to thank you for the very
enjoyable evening and to assure you I enjoyed every
moment of the time I spent at your home. Am looking to pay
you a return date just as soon as possible.

                                       Also extend my thinks to the young
lady who waited on the table so capably.

                                       Kindest personal regards,

                                          Yours very sincerely,

                                                        Hardeen

Week of Oct. 17th - Keiths Theatre, Indianapolis, Ind.
"          "     "    24th -     "           "      Louisville, Ky
"          "     "    31st -     "           "      Dayton, Ohio

Dated October 14, 1927. - $500.00

         

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2770-4468) A MAGICIAN AMONG THE SPIRITS by Harry Houdini.

FIRST EDITION. Copyright 1924.

Published by Harper Brother’s. New York and London. 294 pages.

Contents include:

The Founders of Modern Spiritualism - The Davenport Brothers - Daniel Dunglas Home - Palladino - Ann O'Delia Diss Debar - Dr. Slade and His Spirits Slates - Slate Writing and Other Methods - Spirit Photography - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - Why Ectoplasm - By-products of Spiritualism - Investigations, Wise and Otherwise - How Mediums Obtain Information - What You Must Believe To Be A Spiritualist - Conclusion

As a BONUS, I've added a Great Reproduction of the ORIGINAL DUSTJACKET, which would have come with this book, back in 1924.

There's a little spotting on the outer covers, as can be seen from the photo's below. The inside pages are just fine. Very striking gold embossed titles on the front cover and spine.

Possibly the first owners name handwritten on the free end page. This is dated 1924.

There's also a BookPlate on the inside cover from a different previous owner. - $300.00

 

  

    

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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

     

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2772-4688) Houdini and Conan Doyle, The Story of A Strange Friendship

By M.L. Bernard Ernst and Heweward Carrington

Copyright 1932. Published in New York by Albert and Charles Boni, Inc.

HardBound FIRST AMERICAN EDITION with 249pages.

Comes with Original DustJacket, which is housed in a protective acetate holder. This will account for the lightened appearance of the DJ.

Red dot showing on the cover is from my digital camera.

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.

Outside of the DustJacket being price clipped and a small piece missing from the top of the spine, the rest of the RARE DustJacket is there!!

Spine of cloth cover has a little fading, due to the portion of the DJ missing from that area.

A previous owners name, Fred E. Stevens (?) and the date of 1934, are handwritten on the free end page. - $350.00

          

   

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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)

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2730-8555) SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, April 15, 1916

Inside, a 6 1/4"x6" article taking up approx. 1/3 of the full page:

"Houdini's Strait-Jacket Mid-Air Escape"

Nice size photo showing Houdini, with the caption:

"Houdini releasing himself from a strait-jacket while suspended in mid-air, with head downwards"

All this occurring on March 28th, near the Customs House in New York City, as Houdini was suspended 60feet over the subway excavation, at the Battery.

The idea of performing a strait-jacket feat, came to Houdini when he was going through a lunatic asylum, where one of the inmates was confined in a strait-jacket.

Magazine measures approx. 11 1/4"x16". All pages have a 2" tear running from the center of the page edge, inward. All tears have had tape restoration, at some point. The Houdini article isn't affected and wasn't torn.

Great piece of escape history, while Houdini was still at the tender age of 42 years old. - $75.00

    

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2657-7855) 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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2658-8526) 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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2569-4218) HOUDINI SOUVENIR PROGRAM

1979 reprint, published by Lee Jacobs Productions Publications of Pomeroy, Ohio.

This is an exact reproduction of the last HOUDINI SOUVENIR PROGRAM. It has a protective cover and tissue sheet before you get to the actual program. The cover of the actual program has faithfully been reproduced to show the original, which was duotone printed in two colors, blue and black. In fact, the only thing which is white, beside the lettering, are the whites of Houdini's eyes. This helps explain why people have always found this image of Houdini and this cover so very striking and hypnotic.

The outer cover shows what the program Cover looked like for the previous 1925-26 Tour Season. Notice the "Price 25 Cents" on the Cover to the right. This is how you tell the 1926-27 Season program from the 1925-26. The outer Covers also contain additional Houdini information - such as "How Houdini Really Died". - $25.00

Outer Cover)      (Inside Cover

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2577-3687) APPLETON CRESCENT, Special Edna Ferber Edition

Printed in Houdini's hometown of Appleton, Wisconsin, July 29, 2002.

Approx. 12 1/2"x21 1/2", one sheet, printed on both sides.

While this paper was a Special Edition about the Pulitzer Prize Winning Author and telling of the postage stamp about to be issued in her honor - this paper has also reprinted an article, which Edna Ferber wrote back on July 23, 1904, when she interviewed HOUDINI.

The Houdini piece spans two nice LONG columns, complete with Houdini photo, at the bottom of the page.

Now here's something you don't see everyday!! - $15.00

    

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LayAway is available - if this is for you, just email for details.

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REMEMBER, all photos are Thumbnails - click on the photo to bring up the LARGER photo.

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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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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.

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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

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