HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 – 1926). The Unmasking of ...

HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 – 1926). The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin. New York: The Publisher’s Printing Co., 1908. FIRST EDITION. Publisher’s brown cloth decorated in white and black. Portrait frontispiece of Houdini guarded by tissue, profusion of plates picturing rarities from Houdini’s collection. 8vo. Bright, square, and attractive with only minor wear to bottom of front board; near fine. PRESENTATION COPY IN NEAR FINE CONDITION, AND A TRUE RARITY; inscribed and signed on the ffep by Houdini, possibly to his brother Leo Weiss, M.D. The inscription reads, in full: “To my real Pal / Doc / with best wishes / and compliments of the / author. May you / enjoy reading my / book with as much pleasure / as the gathering of the / contents gave me. / Harry Houdini / (Ehrich Weiss).”

One of perhaps a handful of autographs in Houdini’s hand using the Americanized (and widely accepted) spelling of his birth name, Ehrich Weiss. This is the first example we have offered for sale.