Harry Houdini, Houdini Book Advertisement & Signed Photograph, c. 1908

Harry Houdini
Houdini Book Advertisement & Signed Photograph, c. 1908

USA

Advertisement for Houdini's The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin promoting the book as "The Most Authentic and Fascinating Book on Magic Ever Written." Published in 1908, The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin controversially challenged the originality of celebrated French magician Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin, from whom Houdini took his stage name, provoking criticism within the magic community while becoming an important work on the history of conjuring.

HOUDINI, Harry (born Erik WEISZ, 1874-1926). [Advertisement for The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin]. New York: The Conjurers' Magazine Publishing Company, [c. 1908].? 130 x 60 mm. Printed in red and black (slight toning); matted and framed, not examined out of frame.HOUDINI. Photograph signed and dated ("Harry Houdini / 1908"). N.p., c. 1908. Silver gelatin print, 110 x 50 mm sight, signed and dated in ink across the image, matted and framed (glazed), faded, verso not examined. Full-length portrait of Houdini standing with arms crossed, his wrists shackled and a length of chain hanging before him.

Provenance: Collection of Michael Tilson Thomas

This work will ship from Los Angeles, California.

Condition
Condition report is included in the description of this lot. Framed behind glass measuring 8.25 x 6 inches.