Houdini Harry, Signed (18 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Bill Hanna (illustrator). Second Printing. 1944 printing. INSCRIBED by author on flyleaf in blue ballpoint pen: "Warmest regards to Dolph Von Rudeen from the author John Booth Hollywood Sept. 13, 1981." Von Rudeen (who also spelled his name Dolf Von Rudin was a noted prize-winning amatuer magician who flourished in Los Angeles from the 1940s and worked for the movie studiosafter emmigrating from Europe. Dark blue cloth, gilt lettering on front cover and spine. Slight bubbling to cloth in a few spots on front and rear panels otherwise very good. No other markings or bookplates. No printed dj was issued. 146 pages plus ads. Inscribed by Author(s). Book.

No Binding. Condition: Near Fine. 9"x6" handwritten thank you letter, dated Jan. 14, 2006 - SIGNED Dorothy Young. Dorothy Young (1907-2011) was last surviving assistant to Harry Houdini. Toured with famed magician in 1925-26 as young girl. Scarce signature. Nice item for the Houdini fan or collector. SIGNED LETTER.

No Binding. Condition: Fine. Fine 4"x6" color image (on 8"x11" glossy sheet) of 1909 Harry Houdini poster for September appearance at Lyceum Theatre in Paterson NJ. SIGNED and inscribed by Ms. Young below photo: "To Dan, Sincerely yours, Dorothy Young - Houdini Radio Girl!". Dorothy Young (1907-2011) was last surviving assistant to Harry Houdini. Toured with famed magician in 1925-26 as young girl. Scarce signature. Nice item for the Houdini fan or collector. SIGNED.

First Edition. An illustrated auction catalogue for the sale of the impressive collection of Houdini material from Manny Weltman, a self-described Ômagic nutÕ, smitten at an early age by the mysterious world of magic and Harry Houdini in particular. Mr. Weltman published several books on Houdini: Houdini: A Definitive Bibliography (1991) and Houdini - Escape Into Legend - The Early Years (1993), which was intended to be the first in a series of volumes. Included in this catalogue are books by and about Harry Houdini (many signed and inscribed), manuscripts, a personal diary, magazines and newspapers, curiosities, letters, performance programs, photographs, film, ephemera, posters, etc. Illustrated throughout. With the prices realized sheet laid in, individually listing the prices for which each item sold. Essential reference for any Houdini collector. Paperbound. Fine in wrappers.

Houdini is known as one of the greatest escapologists and stunt performers, as well as a skeptic and investigator of spiritualists. He was also a film producer and actor. The illusion of mind reading intrigued Houdini. Both he and Zancig had little to do with each other though both belonged to the Society of American Magicians. Houdini doubted mentalist Julius Zancig's ability to self proclaimed ability. In this three piece correspondence Zancig reveals his trick. This correspondence began with Zancig's Aug. 8 TLS to Houdini on "How to Thought Picture. here is the secret Harry nd (sic) no one lese (sic) has it but you up to this time.you promise not to Devulge (sic) it to any one here." Houdini replied first with a three page holograph letter including bold capital letters detailing what he did not understand about Zancig's trick. The letter is not in is hand but is most likely a draft of the typed letter he sent to Zancig. The typed letter included in this group varies from the hand written letter and is very likely a copy of the typed letter Houdini did send. This copy contains a hexagram drawing in ink appearing to be in Houdini's hand. He never believed the mind reading illusion had anything to do with a special mental ability. From the Aug. 17 holograph letter "I have gone over the Thought Picture sheet very carefully but must confess that it is not clear to my mind." The letter ends on the second page, with his name then crossed out and the letter continued onto a third page . "I really cannot put these things together and would appreciate your making it clearer--With best regards, yours, Houdini." This first closing and signature are struck out and followed on the last page with, "Do you really attempt to reproduce what is drawn by members of the audience, or confine your reproductions to your prepared list? If so what about identification by audience." At this point it is signed on his behalf, "With best regards, Houdini." The letter while not in Houdini's hand expresses his views about Zancig. It is possible the letter was dictated as a first draft then redrafted into the typed copy here. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle declared in 1923 that Julius Zancig and his wife were genuine telepathists, contradicting Houdini''s belief that the Zancigs' "mind-reading performances required no supernatural powers. Houdini purchased the explanation of the act from Julius Zancig in order to demonstrate the truth of his view to posterity." (Milbourne Christopher, Houdini, New York, 1969, p. 177)." Harry Houdini forever changed the world of magic and escapes.

Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. First Edition (Stated). Inscribed on the free endpaper: "To/ Ben Burke/ Best Wishes/ Houdini/ May 19/24". Blue cloth with gold gilt spine and cover titles. Signed by Author(s).

hardcover. Condition: very good(+). Second. From the German by D. Boileau. Colored frontispiece & 22 folding b/w plates. Square 16mo, original salmon boards with circular paper title label. London: Boosey & Sons, 1825. Second Edition, greatly enlarged. Harry Houdini's copy, with his penciled ownership signature on the end-paper, and the notation "Bot Leeds England 1913". The initials "H H" are written on the fore-edge. A rare and unusual item.

First edition of this work by Houdini regarding his one-time idol. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece of Houdini, illustrated throughout. Boldly signed by Harry Houdini on the front free endpaper. Bookplate to the front pastedown, in near fine condition. â Harry Houdini was a unique figure in the history of entertainmentâ ¦ a hero of legend and folklore.â Following the death of his mother in 1913, Houdini began to investigate spiritualism and â soon became an all-out crusader against it. Early in 1924 he began lecturing throughout the United States on fraudulent mediums. In city after city he attended sà ances in disguise, exposing frauds on the spot and sometimes securing their arrest, aided by his personal squad of detectives. The raids brought him huge publicity as well as a million dollars in lawsuits.â At his death in 1927, â he was buried in a brass replica of the iron casket, his head pillowed on a bundle of his motherâ s letters to himâ (ANB). The legendary magician and illusionist Harry Houdini turns a critical eye to the astonishing claims of those in his own profession in his work Miracle Mongers and Their Methods. Using personal research and observations, Houdini reveals the cunning techniques employed by fire-eaters, sword swallowers, and other masters of deception to mystify and amaze audiences around the world.

Original Cloth. Condition: Near Very Good. No Jacket. 1st Edition. Full page inscription, with signature. Slight wear to head and tail of spine cloth. Inscribed by Author(s).

Rare stock certificate signed by the worldâ s greatest escape artist, master illusionist Harry Houdini. One page, partially printed in brown and black ink with an embossed seal, the document is dated July 18, 1921 and certifies that George Popp hereby owns fifteen shares of the Capital Stock of Houdini Picture Corporation. Signed by Harry Houdini as President of the Corporation and countersigned by R.G. Risley as Treasurer. In near fine condition. With a rare Famous-Players-Lasky Promotional brochure for The Grim Game, Houdini's first full-length movie which is widely regarded as his best. In 1918, Houdini signed his first contract with film producer B. A. Rolfe to star in a 15-part serial, The Master Mystery (released in November 1918), and after Rolfe went our of business, he was signed by Famous Players-Lasky Corporation/Paramount Pictures, for whom he made two pictures, The Grim Game (1919) and Terror Island (1920). Following this successful Hollywood two-picture stint, Houdini returned to New York and founded his own film production company, Houdini Picture Corporation, in 1921 with a capitalization of $500,000. He produced and starred in two films: The Man from Beyond (1921) and Haldane of the Secret Service (1923). He also founded his own film laboratory business called The Film Development Corporation (FDC), gambling on a new process for developing motion picture film. Houdini's brother, Theodore Hardeen, left his own career as a magician and escape artist to run the company and Magician Harry Kellar was a major investor. Neither Houdini's acting career nor FDC found success, and he gave up on the movie business in 1923, complaining that "the profits are too meager".Â.

Rare stock certificate signed by the worldâ s greatest escape artist, master illusionist Harry Houdini. One page, partially printed in brown and black ink with an embossed seal, the document is dated January 23, 1922 and certifies that W.E. Jefferson hereby owns twenty shares of the Capital Stock of Houdini Picture Corporation. Signed by Harry Houdini as President of the Corporation and countersigned by Harry H. Poppa as Assistant Treasurer. In near fine condition. With a Houdini Picture Corporation Voting Trust Certificate awarding 30 shares of common capital stock of Houdini Picture Corporation to Abel Shearer. In 1918, Houdini signed his first contract with film producer B. A. Rolfe to star in a 15-part serial, The Master Mystery (released in November 1918), and after Rolfe went our of business, he was signed by Famous Players-Lasky Corporation/Paramount Pictures, for whom he made two pictures, The Grim Game (1919) and Terror Island (1920). Following this successful Hollywood two-picture stint, Houdini returned to New York and founded his own film production company, Houdini Picture Corporation, in 1921 with a capitalization of $500,000. He produced and starred in two films: The Man from Beyond (1921) and Haldane of the Secret Service (1923). He also founded his own film laboratory business called The Film Development Corporation (FDC), gambling on a new process for developing motion picture film. Houdini's brother, Theodore Hardeen, left his own career as a magician and escape artist to run the company and Magician Harry Kellar was a major investor. Neither Houdini's acting career nor FDC found success, and he gave up on the movie business in 1923, complaining that "the profits are too meager".Â.

Hardcover. First edition. First edition. Signed by Harry Houdini twice: inscribed to former owner, Allan Warshauer, manager of the Orpheum Theatre in Oakland, CA where Houdini did an escape stunt on 3/26/23, dated. Also flat-signed "Houdini" on the dedication page. xiv, 240pp. Bound in publisher's tan cloth with navy lettering. About Very Good with darkening to spine, light wear, small tape stain to front board, tidemark along bottom edge of terminals. Old bookseller's label to front paste down. Lacking jacket. An expose of spiritualists and flimflammers by the famous Hungarian-American magician.

Hardback. Condition: Fine. First Edition. First Edition of the author's landmark title inscribed by Houdini as follows. "To / F.L.C. Wehrenberg Jr / with compliments / of the author / Harry Houdini / 4/27/16 / Baltimore MD. Book comes with a variety of fascinating newspaper articles.

Original cloth. Condition: Very Good. First edition. FIRST EDITION, INSCRIBED AND TWICE SIGNED BY HOUDINI: "To Frederick H Young / Best wishes / Houdini / Sept 19. - 1924 / 1:30 AM." Additionally signed "Houdini" on dedication page. Harry Houdini, the son of a rabbi and a doting mother, was born Erik Weisz in Budapest, Hungary in 1874. After moving to Wisconsin at age 4 then to New York City at 13, Erik Weisz eventually became the legendary Harry Houdini, a master mystifier now remembered for his sensational escapes but known in his time as an unmasker of frauds. When Houdini's mother died in 1913 he lamented, "it was a shock from which I do not think recovery is possible." Her death led to Harry's interest in Spiritualism, a religious movement based on the belief that the dead could interact with the living, and he dedicated his book, A Magician Among the Spirits, to her. Harry Houdini met Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1920 and they corresponded regularly about their mutual interest in Spiritualism. In 1922, while Houdini and his wife vacationed with the Doyle family, Houdini attended a séance with Lady Doyle, who claimed to be channeling Houdini's mother. Houdini was hopeful that this religious movement would lead to contact with his dead mother, but he became skeptical of Lady Doyle and others who claimed to communicate with those on the other side. In early 1923, Houdini joined a committee sponsored by Scientific American which was offering $2,500 to any medium who could successfully demonstrate supernatural abilities. Houdini believed that his training as a magician gave him insights that scientists and academics lacked. After observing more than a hundred mediums, Houdini announced that spiritualists were charlatans and no prize was ever awarded. As President of the Society of American Magicians, he sought to uphold professional standards and expose fraudulent artists. As his fame as a "ghostbuster" grew, Houdini chronicled his debunking exploits in A Magician Among the Spirits, which was published in May of 1924. In the dedication he refers to his mother as an "angel upon earth in human form." The book also features a large photo of Houdini and Doyle opposite the title page as well as a chapter dedicated to the discussion of their friendship and divergent opinions about Spiritualism. As Houdini wrote, "Spiritualism has claimed among its followers numbers of brilliant minds-scientists, philosophers, professionals and authors.Such a one is Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.I have no warfare with Sir Arthur [but] so far I have never on any occasion.seen.anything which has convinced me that it is possible to communicate with those who have passed out of this life. Therefore I do not agree with Sir Arthur." Doyle refused to believe any of Houdini's exposés and viewed him as a dangerous enemy. Doyle believed that the ungrateful and stubborn Houdini had insulted his wife's powers, while Houdini believed that the Doyles made a mockery of his deep feelings for his mother, the ruling passion of his life. A Magician Among the Spirits, like a good magician revealing a secret, invites us behind the scenes, educates us, and then allows us to find mystery in the countless questions that may develop. Houdini explains how mediums utilized props as well as the power of suggestion to convince people that the dead are among them. He does not ridicule Spiritualism but rather treats it with respect and sympathetically explains that it gained popularity after the unprecedented loss of life from World War I and the influenza pandemic. Houdini writes earnestly from the perspective of a professional magician, and, as he tells us in the Introduction, approaches his research scientifically, systematically, and with an open mind. This copy of A Magician Among the Spirits was inscribed by Houdini to Frederick H. Young on September 19, 1924 at 1:30AM, perhaps following a séance. Houdini also signed the dedication page. He inscribed this book after spending much of the summer exposing the trickery of the celebrated me.

Two printed photos and a printed explanation at top of one sheet, oblong 6 x 8.5", toned, folds, minor wear and soiling, but WRITTEN AND SIGNED BY HOUDINI. Houdini writes: "Dear Dr. Prince [?]. Hope alls well. I can "visualize" the test of the 24 year old boy after I left tour. All[?] but it was effectful. Regards and complements of the season. Sincerely yours Houdini. I had a good thought re the Séance at which I attended. You want to be careful re cabinet! I'll tell you what I mean in person." At top of the page, Houdini writes "Week 23 Orpheum St Louis MO / Dec 30 Orpheum K. City Mo." The "cabinet" and "séance" refer to Mina Crandon, who almost won a $2500 prize offered by Scientific American to prove telekinesis.until Houdini attended her séances in July and August 1924 (at which time Mina was locked in a wooden cabinet to keep her from ringing a bell). "Dr. Prince" was Walter Franklin Prince, a friend of Houdini, who was out to expose fake mediums (though, he himself believed some were genuine). The experience was related in the book HOUDINI EXPOSES THE TRICKS USED BY THE BOSTON MEDIUM "MARGERY" (Adams Press: NY nd), a copy of which is included here (worn, folded, torn, soiled), which includes both photos and illustrations of "the cabinet" and "Margery" (Mina). `.

Two printed photos and a printed explanation at top of one sheet, oblong 6 x 8.5", toned, folds, minor wear and soiling, but WRITTEN AND SIGNED BY HOUDINI. Houdini writes: "Dear Dr. Prince [?]. Hope alls well. I can "visualize" the test of the 24 year old boy after I left tour. All[?] but it was effectful. Regards and complements of the season. Sincerely yours Houdini. I had a good thought re the Séance at which I attended. You want to be careful re cabinet! I'll tell you what I mean in person." At top of the page, Houdini writes "Week 23 Orpheum St Louis MO / Dec 30 Orpheum K. City Mo." The "cabinet" and "séance" refer to Mina Crandon, who almost won a $2500 prize offered by Scientific American to prove telekinesis.until Houdini attended her séances in July and August 1924 (at which time Mina was locked in a wooden cabinet to keep her from ringing a bell). "Dr. Prince" was Walter Franklin Prince, a friend of Houdini, who was out to expose fake mediums (though, he himself believed some were genuine). The experience was related in the book HOUDINI EXPOSES THE TRICKS USED BY THE BOSTON MEDIUM "MARGERY" (Adams Press: NY nd), a copy of which is included here (worn, folded, torn, soiled), which includes both photos and illustrations of "the cabinet" and "Margery" (Mina). `.

Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. First Edition, First Printing SIGNED by Harry Houdini. A beautiful copy. This copy has a full page inscription by the author on the front free endpaper. "to .aboard the N.D.L. Kronprinz Wilhelm, mid-ocean, May 25, 1913. Houdini had suggested, during this voyage, that he would like to perform to raise funds for the seaman's charities by jumping overboard while handcuffed, but the captain decided that it was too risky in the shark-infested waters. The book is in great shape. The binding is tight with NO cocking or leaning and the boards are crisp with minor wear to the boards. The pages are clean with NO writing, marks or bookplates in the book. A beautiful copy in collector's condition authentically SIGNED by the author. We buy SIGNED Harry Houdini First Editions. Signed by Author(s).

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. First Edition. 8vo (203 x 138 mm). 11 halftone plates. Publisher's black cloth lettered in white, professionally rebacked preserving original spine, corners neatly restored. An extraordinary copy of this book, the best imaginable. From the library of Harry Houdini (twice signed) with numerous annotations by him. Inscribed by Houdini on the front pastedown, "I bought this book in Melbourne Australia March 1910 (I paid 12/6 ($3.00) for it Harry Houdini." (The book contains the ticket of the Australian bookseller E. W. Cole.). Beneath the inscription is mounted a photograph of Houdini's custom-made French Voisin biplane in flight in Australia. He has also signed the title-page, "Harry Handcuff Houdini Melbourne Australia March 1910," and the book contains both his and Beatrice Houdini's bookplates. Houdini clearly read the book carefully. The text analyses spirit photographs, cabinet stunts, and Houdini's own techniques, and the margins are full of Houdini's (mostly) acerbic comments: "Wrong!"; "This is not true. H.H."; "Very Wrong!!!"; "?!"; "This man does not even attempt to explain any cell escapes H. Houdini"; "Rot!"; and "also Rot." A couple of pages do rate the comment "Good." Also tipped into the book is a typewritten description of "Sealed letter reading Given to me by Roterberg," and a now-empty, and very browned. envelope. PROVENANCE: Rex Townsend (signature on half-title); Ricky Jay (Bookplate).