This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/13/2024
HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 – 1926). A Magician Among the Spirits. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1924. FIRST EDITION. Publisher’s ribbed blue cloth lettered and ruled gilt. Portrait frontispiece of Houdini and Conan Doyle, illustrated, including full-page plates. Tall 8vo. Cloth rubbed, corners and extremities bumped, a few passages underlined in red pencil, minor thumbsoiling and wear; good or better. INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY HOUDINI TO HIS SECRETARY, magician and architect Oscar Teale, “To Oscar S. Teale / Best wishes / from / Houdini / April 24/24.” A gift inscription from Willard Smith to Norman Todd faces this signature on the pastedown, below Todd’s address label and Teale’s bookplate.
In addition to serving as one of Houdini’s secretaries, Teale aided the escape artist in his quest to expose the tricks of fraudulent spirit mediums. Even after Houdini’s passing, Teale lectured on the subject to the public, widely advertising his association with Houdini’s crusade.