This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/13/2024
HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 – 1926). Lengthy Letter Offering A Bounty for a “Real” Medium. Dated December 23, 1922. A five page, typewritten carbon letter from Houdini to the editor of The [Baltimore?] Sun requesting the gathering of eight mediums that can demonstrate their authenticity and legitimacy to Houdini himself, and offering a $5,000 reward upon the success of a single medium. Houdini goes on to challenge William Burr, the noted spiritualist, to reproduce any of Houdini’s mediumistic powers, making the analogy “It is easy enough to watch an acrobat throw a triple somersault and say that all he does is to turn three times and alight on his feet, or to say that Rembrandt, Rubens, or Corrigi merely took up paint brushes, dabbed them into paint and put the paint on canvas.” Houdini expands on this challenge to Burr noting the fraudulent historical record of mediums and spiritualists and requesting Burr produce “his mediums before a committee of fifteen people” to judge their legitimacy. The committee was to comprise interfaith clergymen, magicians, and members of the press. The letter generally carries a tone of frustration and desire for justice from Houdini after his being labeled a trickster by Burr. Five 4to pages, rectos only, with rusted outline of a paperclip to top left corner, yellowing consistent with age, general fragility, else good overall.