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Lot 499
Houdini, Harry (1874-1926) Born Ehrich Weisz. Hungarian-American escape artist, magician, and one of Hollywood's first action heroes. An outspoken critic of the Spiritualist movement which was sweeping America and Europe. He possessed the largest library in the world on magic and witchcraft.
Never published, lengthy typescript dealing with witchcraft, a subject which had become an obsession for Houdini, with several hundred autograph corrections and additions throughout, 63 numbered pages on 11 x 8½ inch sheets, on rectos only, some sheets slightly larger after cutting and pasting, n.p., 1926.
This important, typed manuscript from late in Houdini's career, gives a rough history of witchcraft as practiced through the ages and draws on many published sources, with an abundance of direct quotes from those sources. The manuscript ends with a description of the powers of the Witch of Endor, a figure of much interest to Houdini in his later years. The manuscript has never been published and is likely unfinished, awaiting additional chapters.
The manuscript begins, "Why embarass the mind of the present generation with the superstitions and vagaries of past ages: The question might be asked with propriety; But the answer comes back with equal force: - Because, superstition with its baneful results are not altogether a thing of the past." He continues that superstition "not only enslaved the entire populous, but became, through a demoniacal mania, an epidemic which pervaded the old world and even merged over to the new…."
The manuscript is very much a work in transition. It is certainly not a first draft. Some of the leaves are cut and pasted from earlier drafts. The clarity of the language throughout suggests that the piece was heavily edited by someone. There are several hundred inked corrections and additions throughout in Houdini's hand. The additions, in particular, are pure Houdini, with spelling errors and incorrect phrasing. The corrections to punctuation were likely suggested by someone else, but they are still in Houdini's hand. The piece was probably run through three times, while all the additions are in ink. Some of the corrections are in pencil, red pencil, or ink, but the thrust of the arguments throughout the piece are certainly those of Houdini.
The dating of this important Houdini manuscript is derived from the text itself - Houdini noted several times that the present year was 1926. Lot is accompanied by a photocopy of an unsigned typed letter from Houdini to Mr. W.S. Davis in New York City, in which he mentions that he is working on a project dealing with the Witch of Endor and astrology and witchcraft. The letter is dated July 16, 1926 which makes it contemporary with the typescript described above. Accompanied by a sworn affidavit from the consignor, describing his purchase of the manuscript in 1976 and tracing it back to Dr. Edward Saint, Mrs. Houdini's manager and companion.
Estimated Value $5,000 - 7,500.
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