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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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HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 - 1926). Spiritualism Court Pleadings.
Lot 91

HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 - 1926). Spiritualism Court Pleadings.

Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000
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Starting Bid
$500
Bid increments chart

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). Spiritualism Court Pleadings. Dated April 20, 1926, in six legal-size pages, the pleadings outline comments made (or purportedly made) by Houdini from the stage of the Princess Theater in Chicago, where he staged a remarkable eight-week run in April and May of 1926.

The documents regard Mrs. B. Haigh and Mrs. Wardell, and state, "Houdini did say, however, 'I will read you the names of the mediums that have taken money from my investigators and they can have $10,000.00 which I have deposited with Mayor Dever of Chicago as per my published challenge...."

In addition to the pleadings, the last three pages reproduce a suit for slander brought against Houdini by Wardell. The first two leaves bear the seal and signature of Chicago notaries. 

Condition

Old folds, wear to extremities. Very good. 

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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. 

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