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Specializing in Houdiniana
RARE and SCARCE HOUDINI Section
Part Three
Weather In Spring, Texas
Welcome to the: "RARE and SCARCE Houdini Section - Part Three" WebPage.
Below you'll find even MORE Houdini items to choose from.
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3505-6663) Early HOUDINI Newspaper Clipping from 1900
Houdini was a Very Young 25 years old, at the time of this clipping.
While not completely dated, Houdini appeared at Boston's Keith Theatre for a three week stay from January 8th thru the 27th, 1900.
In July 1900, Houdini would leave the USA for Great Britain and Europe - it would be five years before he would return to America.
The clipping states:
NEXT WEEK
Positive Appearance of
HOUDINI,
"The King of Handcuffs"
Who challenges any police officer or other person to place on him handcuffs or leg-shackles from which he cannot release himself.
The overall measurement of the clipping is approx. 5 1/4"x6 1/2"
Has a tear here-n-there, but you would too if you were 111 years old!!
This is one of the earliest Houdini newspaper clippings I've had to offer in a Very Long Time!! - $50.00
3507-6336) HOUDINI, His Life Story by Harold Kellock
HardBound with Extremely Hard To Find Original DustJacket.
Copyright 1928 - FIRST EDITION.
Published by Harcourt, Brace and Company of New York.
384 pages and has a very small address label, on the inside cover, from a previous owner.
As can been seen from the photos below, the
book and DustJacket are in pretty decent condition. -
$450.00
Now priced @ $400.00
3509-7478) WINDOW CARD POSTER FROM HOUDINIs FINAL TOUR
Providence, Rhode Island, Opera House.
September 20th, 1926 - just a little over a month before Houdini would die.
Measures approx. 14"x21 3/4".
Piece missing from upper left corner.
Greatest Magician of the Age
HOUDINI
Master Mystifier
3 SHOWS in ONE
A full Evening's Entertainment
Magic - Illusions - Escapes
And Fraud Medium Exposes
All this has been professionally matted and framed. Overall measurements are 22 3/"4x31". -
3511-1314) THE GREAT MYSTERIES. Written and Published by The Handcuff King, "Oudini". That's what I said, Oudini. Houdini had many out there who were impersonating his Handcuff Act and this guy even, Almost, Stole Houdini's name to go along with it. PaperBound and measures 5"x6 3/4" with 80pages.
(a) 1st Edition. 1909
Oudini exposes how to get out of Handcuffs, Iron Box, Iron Broiler, Coffin, Rope Chair, Mail Bag, Band Box, Tramp Chair, Glass Case, Paper Bag, Packing Case -and- Straight Jacket. - Gee, no wonder Houdini didn’t like him!!
Outside of the oxidized stapes, this book is Virtually in Mint Condition. It looks like it was put away in 1909 and just surfaced, 103 Years Later!!
You won't Believe the Great Condition. They generally don’t come this nice.
And in case you didn't know, this is probably the Most Sought After of the Houdini Imitator writings. - $75.00
3512-6639) THE ORIGINAL HOUDINI SCRAPBOOK written by Walter Gibson
Copyright 1976 and published by Corwin Sterling Publishing, Inc. of New York.
PaperBound with and 224pages.
The book has some wear, but this is to be expected from a paperbound book from the mid1970s. Previous owners name rubber stamped inside the front cover. Small piece of tape on the bottom of the covers spine.
Book measure's approx. 8 1/4"x11".
AND, thrown in:
CHAIN ESCAPE by CB Productions.
Complete with chain, instructions and two keys. - $15.00/(for book and chain escape trick)
3514-4667) Copyright 1977 and published by Warner Books, Inc. of New York, New York.
This edition stated First Printing, October 1978.
SoftBound with 192pages.
Book measures approx. 8 1/2"x11".
Content's include:
Introduction
The Art of Magic
The World of HoudiniA Personal Scrapbook
Houdini's Ten Greatest IllusionsHoudini in Color
The Legend of HoudiniPrevious owners name rubber stamped inside front cover. - $20.00
3515-2695) HOUDINI...and Beyond
20 Years Ago, Award Winning Artist, Diane K. Sparks (no relation), did an Original painting of Houdini. From the Original, this poster was produced.
The image area measures 21 1/2"x27 1/2". The overall poster measures 24"x36", which leaves plenty of boarder area - should you wish to have the poster framed.
Poster is on a glossy paper stock with fade resistant ink.
The words: "Harry Houdini Poster" are only super imposed for this listing and isn't on the actual poster itself.
The Print shows Houdini bound in chains, while a ghostly image of his Mother looks on: from Beyond. - $15.00
Buy 10 for the special price
of $100.00/shipping included within the USA.
Keep one for yourself and use the extra's as gifts, door prices for magic club
meetings, etc.
3516-9215) 8x10 PHOTO OF HOUDINI BEING PLACED INTO A STRAIT-JACKET
This repro photo comes in an ‘antique looking’ frame, would sit nicely on your desk. Plus, there's a tab on the back, should you wish to hang it on your wall. Overall size of the frame is 9 7/8"x11 3/4".
Don’t want to spend hundreds on an Original Houdini photo? Then this is for you.... Just click on the 'thumbnail' photos, below, for a better look. - $20.00
3517-4117) HOUDINI - THE MASTER MAGICIAN. His Life and Some of His Secrets by Harold Kellock. This appears as the Lead Article for the March 1928 issue of The American Magazine. Volume 105, #3. The article is spread out over a total of Seven Pages and has Four Photos.
As the magazine puts it:
"This is about Houdini the magician, and Houdini the man. Everyone knows of Houdini, but very few persons really knew him, and of these his wife knew him best of all".
Great early reading just 17 months after Houdini passed away. - $15.00
3518-9731) HOUDINI - THE MASTER MAGICIAN. His early hardships, the beginning of his fame, and the explanation of some of his tricks by Harold Kellock. April 1928 issue of The American Magazine. Volume 105, #4. The article is spread out over a total of TEN Pages and has SEVEN Photos.
Again, Great early reading just 18 months after Houdini passed away. This issue is missing the back cover and some advs, etc. have been clipped out -BUT- none of this affects the Houdini article. It is complete and intact. - $15.00
3519-7887) HOUDINI’S CONQUEST OF AMERICA by Harold Kellock. This article spreads out over NINE pages in the June 1928 issue of The American Magazine.
As the magazine puts it:
"He gives a séance that baffles Theodore Roosevelt; he gratifies a lifelong ambition by filling his Mother’s apron with gold; he escapes from a Federal prison cell; releases the prisoners and then locks them up again; he is buried under six feet of earth, but comes to the surface".
Great early reading just 20 months after Houdini passed away. - $15.00
3520-1378) ARGOSY MAGAZINE, Volume 373, #3 September 1971.
Very Interesting article inside: "HOUDINIs MESSAGE FROM THE GRAVE" written by W.D. Chesney, M.D.
As the magazine piece states: "Having spent his life exposing phony spiritualist, the great escape artist, Harry Houdini, arranged a foolproof test of life after death: an elaborate plan to contact the living after his own demise. Few People are aware that documented evidence indicates he actually succeeded - at least twice!"
Bess Houdini and Arthur Ford’s 9 séances are discussed. A reproduced handwritten letter from Bess, is shown, stating the results of a session with Arthur Ford - where it is claimed Mr. Ford decoded the secret message, Houdini and Bess had agreed upon: ROSABELLE BELIEVE.
Article also touches on Bess and another woman partnering, to make movies condemning spiritualism, with Bess as the Leading Lady.
Article concludes with a full page piece about the author, his old friend, (Dr. Van Welt) and Cal Harris (Houdini’s old business manager) attending a séance on March 1, 1942 conducted by medium Frank Decker. Cal Harris swears (and signed a statement to the effect) he DID make contact with Houdini (via Decker) by hearing the "voice" of Houdini, who answered questions to which only Cal Harris and Houdini would have known the answers. Did Houdini come back?!! - $20.00
3403-5529) THE GREAT HOUDINI an Extremely Limited Theatrical Play script. Story by Alan London (who was also the Executive Producer).
Only 52 of these scripts (the same age as Houdini when he passed away in 1926) were originally available.
The script is Hand Numbered and Signed by Alan London. The script measures 8½"x11" and contains 89 pages.
The offering is for numbered/signed Script #1.
YES, #1.
I've blocked out who the script is autographed to.
Along with the Script, you also receive the following two
items FREE!!!
(1) A ticket from the show. This is a Playing Card which has been
stamped: "The Great HOUDINI" "Admit One".
The "O" in "HOUDINI" is a link of chain, with one link above this and a pad-lock
beneath. The card shown, in the photo below, is the Four-of-Hearts.
(2) You ALSO get a ‘glossy-stock' 12 Page Program.
If you missed out on this 11 years ago, don’t this time around. -
$100.00
Please CLICK HERE to see the Complete description of this Script.
3404-5698) THE GREAT HOUDINI - Ruff Draft
The second offering is for almost the same as above, except this is a ruff draft from January 1999.
Sent to me by the play's star Jim Bentley.
Signed/dated on the cover by Jim Bentley.
This draft shows Mr. Bentley's name of the cover, just below the title - whereas, this was removed from the final draft.
This manuscript has 90 numbered pages. - $100.00
3405-3648) LAUGHING AT LOCKSMITHs by Brian Lead.
Before Brian Lead and Roger Woods published there book: HARRY HOUDINI, Legend & Legacy - Brian Lead had published his manuscript entitled: LAUGHING AT LOCKSMITHs
20 pages and measures approx. 8 1/4"x11 3/4"
No publishing date given.
Chapter’s include:
Introduction and Acknowledgments
Laughing At Locksmiths:
The Legend and the Legacy of Harry Houdini
The Indomitable Miss Minerva...And Friends
Strong Dick of Blackburn
What's In A Name?
Last page shows a reproduction of a flyer for "Miller
And His Men".
Towards the end, of the flyer, shows them
performing the Musical Farce:
Love Laughs At Locksmiths
The BONUS of this item - it’s AUTOGRAPHED by Brian Lead. - $75.00
3406-5789) HARRY HOUDINI, Legend & Legacy by Brian Lead and Roger Woods
PaperBound with 56 pages and measures approx. 6"x8 1/2".
Published in 1993 by the authors in England.
Chapter’s include:
Acknowledgements
Prologue: An Improbable Fiction
The Indomitable Miss Minerva..and Friends
Houdini and The Mysto Challenge
Strong Dick and The Mystery of The 'Young Houdini'
The Wilson Challenge; Blackburn 1903
Epilogue: Did Houdini Fail?
Bibliography
The BONUS of this offering, the book is signed and numbered by the authors, on the inside cover. #82 of 500.
I have blocked out who the book was signed to.
A great piece of work which started out as a lecture, for their magic club, and became the book EVERYBODY should read. - $75.00
3410-5498) 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 show 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.
There's small paper loss, along the edges, on the front cover. Front/back covers were taped together (a long time ago), to keep them in place. A couple pages, inside, are loose.
Program even has part of the "5cents" Sticker, which would have been used to keep the program sealed. - $250.00
3416-8597) HOUDINI Photo Stickers
This offering is for four different sheets of 12 photo stickers all produced back in the 1990s.
a) Keith's Houdini Lock:
"No One Can Hold HOUDINI At Keith's."
b)
Inscription From Book:To
L. W. Carroll
with best wishes
from the author
Harry Handcuff Houdini
August 27/1917
at least browse through
the introduction
H.H.H.
c)
Clipped Inscription and Signature From An Autograph Book:Loves Laughs at
Locksmiths
So does
Harry Handcuff Houdini
Dec 3 - 08
d) Three Houdini Signed SAM Membership Cards For William (Billy) Russell
Years: 1918 - 1919 - 1922
Each sticker sheet measures 3 1/2"x6".
The individual stickers measure approx. 1"x1 1/4"each.
Now here's something you don't see everyday!! - Take All 4 For $25.00
a)
b)
c)
d)
3417-1258) 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. If you don't agree with this thinking, you could have the poster reMatted to hide the stain.
Poster was folded in the middle, at sometime over its lifetime.
Poster mounted onto Linen for protection and preservation.
With most all other Houdini posters bringing Hugh Sums, these days, this may be the only under valued one at this time.
Overall size of framed piece is approx. 19 1/2"x25 1/2" - $5,000.00
Three HOUDINI FRONT PAGE ARTICLEs
FROM THE CHICAGO AMERICAN NEWSPAPER
March 15th, 16th, 17th 1926
3396-8267) 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 three "Front Page" articles from the Chicago American Newspaper dated March 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 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)
(b) 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).
(c) Wednesday, March 17, 1926.
As can been seen from the photo below, 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!! - $100.00/each
3400-7862) 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!! - $12.50
3401-8716) 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. - $12.50(I can also provide the Marie Blood signed Houdini photo for $65.00)
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". - $12.50
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.- $12.50
a
)
b)
c)
(Take all three for $25.00)
3329-2982) EXTREMELY RARE GLASS NEGATIVEs FROM 1919
For the most part, the photo’s below will
tell the whole story.
This offering is for
Two 5”x7”, Original
Glass Negatives from Houdini’s 1919 movie:
The Grim Game
These would have been used to produce 8x10 Stills, Lobby Cards, etc.
The picture on
the left shows the Glass Negative with the sunlight coming in from behind. The
picture on the right, I set my digital camera to ‘negative art’, thus showing
what the actual picture would look like.
For you photo buffs - you could probably make all your money back, from the
Reproductions you’d be able to make.
All in all, a Very Rare piece of Houdiniana.
The words "GranHoudini" are not in the negatives, only superimposed for this offering.
BTW - this item is available for LayAway - should you like to use this service. - $850.00/each -or- $1,600.00/for the two
3317-2843) HOUDINI, A CIRCUS OPERA
Music by Peter Schat and text by Adrian Mitchell.
An Original 3-record box ‘LP’ set of records from this 1977 production held in Amsterdam.
Jerold Norman played Houdini. Howard Peters was the Escapologist. Stage sets were by Floris Guntenaar. Costumes by Leonie Polak. Directed by Donya Feuel.
This is a Live recording, of the first performance, by the Netherlands Opera Foundation.
This 3-record box set is in Mint Condition and Unused. Truly a SCARCE recording.
Included with this is equally hard-to-find 45 page Libretto with all the words of the Opera. Has many, many photos. -
$75.00 for both
REMEMBER, all photos are Thumbnails - click on the photo to bring up the LARGER photo.
LayAway is available - if this is for you, just email for details.
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.
If you've any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me:
Stephen A. Sparks
(a/k/a Sparky)
The Stephen A. Sparks Collection
Specializing in Houdiniana
2880 Bicentennial Parkway
Suite 100 ~
PMB 114
Henderson, Nevada 89044 USA
702-558-6110 (Phone -or- Fax)
702-350-5076 (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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