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Houdini Returns: The Centennial Auction

Sat, Oct 31, 2026 04:00PM EDT
  2026-10-31 16:00:00 2026-10-31 16:00:00 America/New_York Potter & Potter Auctions Potter & Potter Auctions : Houdini Returns: The Centennial Auction https://auction.potterauctions.com/auctions/potter-potter/houdini-returns-the-centennial-auction-23392
Marking 100 years since the death of Harry Houdini, Potter & Potter will present a landmark sale of Houdini memorabilia on October 31, 2026 at the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. The sale brings to the public for the very first time 100 historic items from the collection of Kevin Connolly, many of which were personally owned by Houdini.

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Lot 16

HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 - 1926). Dispatch News Service. Harry Houdini Dies.

Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500
Starting Bid
$750

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$30 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 - 1926). Dispatch News Service. Harry Houdini Dies. New York: Dispatch News Service, Nov. 5, 1926. Photographic broadside published five days after Houdini's untimely death, picturing the magician in five scenes from his life: in his library, escaping from chains, dressed for a spirit seance exposé, at the end of a straitjacket escape, and just before an underwater packing box escape. Printed captions below the images. Framed, 19 3/4 x 16 3/4". 

A RARE poster announcing Houdini's fateful death on Halloween, 1926. Text below the photographs states, "Harry Houdini, world famous magician and handcuff king, died from complications after acute appendicitis attack at Detroit, Mich." The first example of this object we have encountered. 

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If your bid is successful, as an alternative to in-house shipping, we can provide you with a list of shippers. We will not be responsible for the acts or omissions of carriers or packers whether or not recommended by us. Property will not be released to the shipper without the buyer's written consent and until payment has been made in full. Packing and handling by us of purchased lots is at the entire risk of the purchaser, and Potter and Potter Auctions, Inc. will have no liability of any loss or damage to such items. Packing and shipping expenses shall be added to buyer's invoice and will reflect a charge for labor, materials, insurance, transportation, as well as actual shipper fees.

Kevin Connolly collection.