This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/26/2023
[HOUDINI] BRACKETT, E.A. (1818 – 1908). Materialized Apparitions: If Not Beings from Another Life, What Are They? Boston: Colby and Rich, Publishers, 1886. Pebbled brown cloth ruled blind and lettered in gilt. Two diagrams of séance rooms. 8vo. Tiny chips to a few page edges, gutter of title page ragged and binding tender, pages uniformly browned, but very good to near fine overall. SIGNED on the title page in ink by Harry Houdini, with a pencil notation on the facing page stating, “From the library of the late Eva Anna Fay [sic] (Mrs. Pingree) stage spiritualist.” An important association copy linking two famed mystery entertainers and Houdini’s deep interest in the world of spirit mediums and their disciples. Brackett was a sculptor who worked in the neoclassical style. The book deals with his experiences in séance rooms and alludes to both “real” and fraudulent mediums, legerdemain, and other related topics. Fay and Houdini had a tumultuous if friendly relationship.