This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/8/2023
HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 – 1926). The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin. New York: The Publisher’s Printing Co., 1908. FIRST EDITION. Brown cloth decorated and lettered in white and black, with portrait frontispiece of Houdini behind tissue. Plates and illustrations reproducing scarce playbills and ephemera from the Houdini collection. 8vo. With four contemporary Houdini photographs tipped in, one SIGNED AND INSCRIBED tipped in. The inscription reads, “Compliments of the author Harry Houdini Aug 4/1913 10 am. / Born Appleton Wis April 6/1874.” The book is INSCRIBED AGAIN below the image “At least read the introduction H.H.” Front hinge starting, and news clipping regarding the final 1938 Houdini séance pasted to the dedication page. From the Jay Marshall collection and bearing his penciled notations on the front pastedown above the photograph. The images tipped-in to the book depict important milestones in Houdini’s career, including sepia tone silver print images of Houdini on trial before the German high court of Kaiser Wilhelm, his Voisin biplane in mid-flight at Digger’s Rest in Australia, an image of the trophy presented to him for the flight, and the handsome half-length portrait of the great escape artist in his prime boldly inscribed and signed.