This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/8/2023
HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 – 1926). Houdini Autograph Sentiment, Signed. Printed card issued by Miss Helen Hull Monnette of Los Angeles, an autograph collector, on which Houdini has written a lengthy message in his own hand: “May Helen always appreciate the father’s love that prompted you to do this. [INITIALED] HH. May she make her mother gloriously happy. [SIGNED] Harry Houdini. Born April 6 1874 Appleton Wisc.” Below this, the card is dated in Houdini’s hand, “April 6 1921” and is further inscribed, “On my 47th Birthday. Good luck and God Bless you.” Glue remnants to verso, else near fine. A remarkable autograph and series of inscriptions in the great magician’s own hand. With JSA COA. Houdini was in fact born in Budapest, Hungary on March 24, 1874, and yet countless inscriptions in books and on other documents in his hand make the claim that he was American by birth and stick with the date of April 6. This card, likely mailed by Monnette to various celebrities of the era, is remarkable not only due to the fact that it was signed and inscribed by Houdini on his fictitious birth date, but thanks to the inscriptions alluding to paternal and maternal relationships, both of which would be hugely influential throughout his life.