HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 – 1926). Magical Rope Ties & Escapes. London: Will Goldston, Limited, 1922. FIRST EDITION. Publisher's pictorial boards, illustrated with photographs and line drawings. 8vo. Rubbed, spine darkened, general shelf wear, old tape stains to interior. Ownership rubber stamp of Edward Saint to the first page of text. Good or very good. AN IMPORTANT ASSOCIATION COPY; OWNED BY BEATRICE HOUDINI, with her SIGNED bookplate tipped in, and above this, a small silver print bust portrait of Houdini, this being INSCRIBED AND SIGNED by him to his wife, “To my darling sweet heart wife / Harry Houdini / May 20 – 1914."
Partners in life and work, Houdini and Beatrice Rahner were married after just a few weeks of courtship, on June 22, 1894. Beatrice replaced Houdini's brother Theo (Hardeen), in the magic and escape act the brothers developed, and continued to play an integral role in her husband's career even after retreating from the stage in her later years. The couple struggled together for years, beginning a slow and steady climb up the ladder of fame by working together in circus, dime museums, and in virtually every other venue conceivable. They finally hit the “big time" in Europe just after the dawn of the twentieth century, remaining devoted partners until Houdini's unexpected passing on October 31, 1926.