HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 ? 1926). A Magician Among the Spirits. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1924. FIRST EDITION. Publisher?s blue ribbed cloth ruled and lettered gilt. Portrait frontispiece of Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle. Plates. Thick 8vo. De Vega bookplate on pastedown. Cloth soiled, spine cap with short tear, marginal spotting, usual thumbsoiling and wear. Good or very good. INSCRIBED AND SIGNED on the flyleaf by Houdini: To my good friend / De Vega / Best Wishes / Houdini / May 1 ? 1924.?De Vega (Alex Stewart, 1892 - 1971) aided Houdini in the preparation of this book by investigating spirit mediums for the ?Elusive American.? Pages 129 ? 133 recount some of this investigative work into the spirit medium William Hope, the Crewe Medium and spirit photographer. A footnote on page 129 states, ?I would like to say for the benefit of the reader that De Vega is a skilled magical entertainer; has invented a number of legerdemain feats; contributed a number of interesting articles to magical publications; is a skilled artist and a clever photographer. I was very fortunate in being able to secure a man of his ability for the investigation.?