An incredible collection of hand-signed letters by world-famous illusionist Harry Houdini has come up for sale for a staggering $50,000.
The globally-recognized Hungarian-American magician was known for his daring feats of extrication from shackles, ropes and handcuffs, with his signature stunts including being buried alive, escaping from straitjackets under water and freeing himself from being suspended in mid-air.
But Houdini, real name Erik Weisz, was also famous for being outspoken in his skepticism of the after life and believed psychics were taking advantage of the bereaved.
The new cache of uncovered letters now shine a light on his bitter feud with spiritualists with one letter even revealing he arranged for his business associate to spy on a spiritualist’s meeting.
Others mention his iconic book A Magician Among the Spirits, and a full list of his tour dates and locations also makes up the collection.
Harry Houdini was known for his daring feats of extrication from shackles, ropes and handcuffs, but was also a famous skeptic when it came to psychics and the afterlife
A collection of signed letters by the world-famous illusionist has come up for sale for a staggering $50,000
Pictured: A Lettergram from Houdini to Faber Birren dated September 23rd 1923 in which Houdini asks to see ‘various books re Mrs Eddy’
Pictured: A letter from Houdini to Birren dated May 13th 1924 offering to send a copy of his book ‘A Magician Among the Spirits’
Pictured: A list of Houdini’s tour dates
Pictured: A letter from Houdini to Mr Birren dated December 19th 1923 stating ‘I had a wild time in Texas’ and requesting cuttings
Houdini – who famously fell out with Sherlock Holmes author Arthur Conan Doyle over his disbelief in psychics – believed the event was being held to discredit him.
Conan-Doyle tried to turn Houdini into a spiritualist and even invited him to a séance conducted by his wife Jean.
But after Conan Doyle wrongly began speaking of Houdini as a fellow believer the angered entertainer decided to write down his frustrations in his unedited autobiography, Magician Among the Spirits.
In the February 1926 letter, he asks his friend Faber Birren, who had been investigating local psychics, to attend the meeting with a stenographer.
He adds that he would foot the cost for them as this was ‘very important’ to him.
He writes: ‘My dear Faber Birren: – The Spiritualists are going to hold a Mass Meeting against me at Orchestra Hall, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, on February 19th, at 8 PM.
‘Please visit and let me have a report on same. It is very important and if you want to take a stenographer along, do so at my expense.’
Another letter from 1924 reveals Houdini’s mission to discredit purported psychic Mina Crandon, who was set to receive a $2,500 prize from the Scientific American committee for ‘proving conclusive psychic manifestations’.
He wrote on his personal stationery: ‘My dear Birren: – Am going to Boston to-night to issue a challenge to Professor William McDougall [a member of the ‘Scientific American’ committee].
‘Have hired Symphony Hall and am going to denounce Dr. and Mrs. Crandon, the lectures to be given Friday, January 2nd and Saturday January 3rd. / Will let you know how things turn out.
‘I believe the Mayor will hold the stakes for the test, he to decide where the money is to go.’
Houdini’s efforts were successful as Scientific American decided in February 1925 to not hand Mrs Crandon the prize.
In a typical Houdini act, the stunt performer was shackled with chains and placed in a box that was locked, roped, and weighted
Pictured: Houdini jumps from Harvard Bridge, Boston, Massachusetts April 30, 1908
In a publicity stunt, the magician chains himself to a locomotive wheel for an escape attempt, 1910
Pictured: A photograph of Harry and Beatrice Houdini with the note ‘My brain is the key that sets me free’
The cache of 11 letters also includes an autograph note from 1923 by Houdini who writes ‘my brain is the key that sets me free’.
The archive is being sold by the family of Faber Birren at auctioneers Nate D Sanders, of Los Angeles, California.
A Nate D Sanders spokesperson said: ‘The Houdini archive is a treasure trove that offers an unparalleled glimpse into the mind and life of one of history’s most enigmatic figures.
‘This collection not only highlights Houdini’s relentless pursuit to debunk spiritualists but also showcases his deep personal connections and the breadth of his intellectual curiosity.
‘It is a testament to Houdini’s enduring legacy as a master illusionist and a fierce advocate for truth.’
The sale of the letters takes place on Thursday.
In a typical Houdini act, the stunt performer was shackled with chains and placed in a box that was locked, roped, and weighted.
The box was submerged from a boat, to which he returned after freeing himself underwater.
In another outdoor exhibition he allowed himself to be suspended, head down, about 23 meters above ground and then freed himself from a straitjacket.
Houdini gained fame after repeatedly escaping from police handcuffs and jails.
He was even given certificates from various wardens for escaping from their prisons.
After making his name in America, Harry toured Europe, where he expanded his repertoire by escaping from straitjackets and coffins.
Eventually, Harry was able to accomplish his dream of having a full show dedicated to his magic.
These demonstrations were typically watched by many thousands of people.
Houdini’s uncanny escape abilities depended partly on his great physical strength and agility and partly on his extraordinary skill at manipulating locks.
In the 1920s, Houdini became interested in the occult, specifically in debunking mediums and psychics and his is training in magic helped him expose frauds that scientists and academics could not.
He chronicled his time investigating the occult in his book, A Magician Among Spirits.
But just six years later Houdini died aged 52 in October 1926, from peritonitis that stemmed from a stomach injury.
He had suffered a blow to the abdomen by university student J. Gordon Whitehead.
The magician refused to seek medical help and continued to travel, eventually succumbing to his severe injuries on October 24.