[HOUDINI] DOYLE, Arthur Conan (1859 – 1930). Important Archive of Houdini and Doyle Letters Regarding Spiritualism. Six ALS/ANSs from Doyle to retired Captain John Allen Bartlett, together with a TLS from Houdini to Bartlett, all regarding the great overarching interest at the end of his life: spiritualism, spirit mediums, and communication with the dead by the living.
Penned in the 1920s in Doyle's distinctive hand, the missives are addressed to Bartlett and are written on Doyle's printed notecards, two versions of his 8vo stationery, and a larger lined blue sheet. The notecards reveal personal details about Doyle's health (“I am still very tied by the leg – or by the heart – but I am happy"), showcase a bit of his humor (“You seem to be the man in England whom I might challenge to a 25 yard race."), and discuss public opinion on matters of spiritualism (“I think we are scoring every where. … reason and proof are all with us. I think we see this turn of the tide & it will flow up now for ever."). A short ALS from Doyle alludes to his output of letters (“I am doing 100 letters a day – such is the interest in the matter on the part of the public – but I wanted to thank you for your very interesting letter which shall keep & refer back to.")
The longer ALSs also touch on matters of spiritualism. Doyle offers to publish any book Bartlett might write on the subject in the letter dated May 28, 1920: “If you had a book which had any spiritual flavour in it, stories or otherwise, I would feel justified in allotting 30 or so from my Spiritual Fund towards getting it published." The letter also includes a mention of his last Sherlock Holmes volume: “If you read my little story “One Crowded House" in “The Last Bow" you will see the kind of thing. I'll send it if you have no library there."
A second ALS specifically discusses Houdini: “Your letter about Houdini was very interesting. I begin also to think that it is occult and that the disbelievement [sic] is a cover to it. Possibly his widely announced searching for spiritual proofs is also a cover. It seems extraordinary that a man should be searching for a demonstration at the very time when he is giving one. Could you ask your friends & see if you get any information about it. I am … puzzled. He is a remarkable man, and very deep with a superficial appearance of candour."
The longest letter refers to many matters of interest to spiritualists, including William Crookes (“He gave a long interview … in which he reiterated everything. He grew more spiritualistic for getting his wife's photos at Crewe made a deep impression on him."), Sir Oliver Lodge (“No recognition on the part of a medium could tell him of a photo not yet received in England, of the name of his favourite song … the book is a mine of information about other world conditions."), and about his own beliefs: “My own position … I have seen my mother and there is an end to it." And he refers to the idea of fraudulent mediumship with the line: “… What lunacy it all is – this idea of a huge senseless conspiracy to deceive."
All of these letters are SIGNED or INITIALED “ACD," or “A Conan Doyle" in ink. A few old mailing folds remain, but generally very good to near fine condition overall.
The Houdini TLS on his engraved mourning stationery is dated June 8, 1920 and is addressed to Bartlett in Bristol. Houdini writes from his London address at Day's agency, with a note about an enclosure of photographs (possibly spirit photos?). INSCRIBED after the salutation in Houdini's hand, “to you both," and boldly SIGNED “Houdini," and with an additional note inked by Houdini in the lower left, reading, “Am awfully pressed for time pardon short letter." With old folds from mailing, else very good.
A fascinating trove of documents related to the intense interest of Houdini in spiritualism, along with his “strange friendship" with Doyle and the great author's unusual views not only on life beyond the veil, but Houdini's abilities and beliefs.