HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 - 1926). Portrait of the Houdinis Signed to Dunninger. Chicago: Butler, 1925. Flattering bust portrait of Harry and Beatrice Houdini, her arms encircling his neck and with both of them smiling at the camera. 10 x 8", framed and matted larger. INSCRIBED AND SIGNED "To Dunninger / from / Houdini / Aug 14/26." A significant association item linking the great magician and escape artist, to one of the greatest and most famous mentalists of the twentieth century. 

Dunninger and Houdini were colleagues (as other lots in this auction show), and after Houdini's death, it was Dunninger who helped cement Houdini's legend and fame. Along with Beatrice Houdini, Bernard M.L. Ernst, and Edward Saint, Dunninger promoted Houdini's prowess as an escape artist, stuntman, and crusader against fraudulent mediums, and in fact Dunninger frequently used those themes and strategies developed by Houdini to promote himself and his own career. He was also an early collector of Houdiniana, and published several books trading on Houdini's name and fame.