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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). The Right Way to Do Wrong.
Lot 54

HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 - 1926). The Right Way to Do Wrong.

Estimate: $2,500 - $5,000
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Starting Bid
$1,300
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). The Right Way to Do Wrong. Boston: Harry Houdini, 1906. 8vo. FIRST EDITION of the author's first book. Printed red wrappers with an image of Houdini on the upper. Frontispiece portrait, illustrated. INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY HOUDINI: "Boston Mass / April 9/06 / To my friend Chief Wm. B. Watts with best wishes from Harry Houdini." A handsome example of Houdini's first book, in uncommonly good condition, and very rarely encountered with the magician's autograph.

William B. Watts, chief inspector of the Boston Police Department, is mentioned several times in the text of Houdini's book. Ten years before Houdini inscribed this work, Watts co-authored an authoritative book on crime and criminals in Boston entitled Our Rival, the Rascal (Pemberton Press, 1896). 

 

Condition

Minor toning to spine, rubbing and wear to extremities, small fold to corner of upper wrapper. Spine square and tight; much better condition than usually encountered. Very good or better. 

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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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