Rare Autographed Book by Houdini Leads the Houdiniana and Magic Memorabilia Auction by Potter & Potter Auctions

The upcoming Houdiniana and Magic Memorabilia sale from Potter & Potter Auctions will particularly highlight The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin. The book is the first example offered for sale, a rare autographed edition in Houdini’s handwriting using the Americanized (and widely accepted) spelling of his birth name, Ehrich Weiss. Born Erik Weisz (1874 – 1926) in Austria-Hungary, Weisz began calling himself “Harry Houdini” after the French magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and American magician Harry Kellar, both of whom Houdini admired. The available book by Houdini was published in 1908. It is a first-edition copy from The Publisher’s Printing Co. in brown cloth, decorated in white and black. The portrait frontispiece is guarded by tissue. The book also includes a profusion of plates picturing rarities from Houdini’s collection. The book was possibly a gift for 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).” 

The Fantastic Orange Tree Automaton created by John Gaughan and Associates around 1989 is another top lot in the sale. Based on the famous 19th-century effect by Robert Houdin, this magical automaton was featured on the Paul Daniels Magic Show. The machine is accompanied by a manufacturer’s booklet tracing the history of the effect. It is one of only a handful of these props manufactured by Gaughan. The audience watches as a borrowed ring vanishes beneath a handkerchief on the magician’s table. On the command of the performer, orange blossoms begin to grow developing into real oranges. At the apex of the tree, it splits open to release a pair of mechanical butterflies carrying the missing borrowed ring. To view the complete catalog and register to bid, visit the Houdiniana and Magic Memorabilia sale.