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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 15

HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 - 1926). Red Magic Advertising Poster.

Estimate: $1,500 - $3,000
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). Red Magic Advertising Poster. [New York, 1924]. Two-color offset advertising poster announcing the debut of Houdini's "Red Magic" column in the Evening World newspaper. With a central portrait of Houdini and the headline reading "World-Famous Magician Becomes An Editor." Text below the photograph explains that Houdini is "the celebrated conjurer, who escapes from handcuffs, walks out of double-locked cells, vanishes through brick walls, and exposes spirit mediums, [and] has joined the staff of the New York World as editor of Red Magic, a new section devoted to tricks, puzzles, tests, and illusions."

With a  penciled notation IN HOUDINI'S HAND in the upper left stating, "Put in 2200 store windows in greater New York." Framed, 24 x 18". A RARE Houdini poster and the first we have offered.

"Red Magic" ran from November of 1924 until at least 1929, outlasting Houdini's death. The page-filling "column" was filled with brainteasers, puzzles, and simple tricks, explained primarily through diagrams and illustrations, with minimal text. All elements were printed in a deep red hue, in accordance with the name of the column. 

Condition

Faint old central fold. 

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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.