HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 – 1926). Portrait of Houdini and his Brother Leopold Weiss. London: Campbell Gray Ltd., ca. 1907. Matte-finish full-length image of the Weiss brothers, Houdini seated in a carved chair with one leg crossed, and his brother standing beside him with one arm extended over Houdini’s head. Printed photographer's mount in cabinet card format, 6 1/2 x 4 1/8". 

Leopold Weiss was a prominent and pioneering radiologist, and some say the first to practice the specialty in New York City. Houdini purchased an x-ray machine for his brother, and for some time Leopold maintained an office in Houdini's home in Harlem, eventually building up a significant practice and sizable fortune. But in 1917, a family dispute led to an irreparable rift between the two men, when the ex-wife of another Weiss brother, Nathan, re-married Dr. Leopold. Houdini felt Nathan Weiss had been badly mistreated, and never spoke to his brother Leopold again, cutting his head out of many family photographs. All this stands in stark contrast to the image here, a rare surviving family portrait that implies a great closeness between the two Weiss brothers. 

Pinholes at top and bottom, soft rounding to corners. Very good or better.