Potter & Potter Auctions
Live Auction

Houdiniana

Sat, Apr 8, 2023 12:00PM EDT
Lot 61

HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 – 1926). The Master Myster...

Estimate: $5,000 - $8,000

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 Master Mystery Press Book. [Houdini?s Own Copy]. New York: Printwell, [1918]. Profusely illustrated press book for the first film to feature a robot, starring Houdini, including color plates reproducing lithographed posters used to promote the film (one, three, six, and twenty-four sheets). 12pp. with plus color wrappers. Small folio. Spine reattached with archival tape. Edgewear, old folds, and pinholes; good. INSCRIBED AND SIGNED on the front wrapper in blue ink by Houdini: ?Please / let me / have this / Back, / Thanks / Houdini.? Rare, being the only example of this pressbook we have encountered. Written by Arthur Reeve (creator of Craig Kennedy, the ?American Sherlock Holmes?), Houdini starred in the 15-part silent serial which was the first film to feature a robot. Here, the mechanical man was billed as ?Q,? an automaton, and is silhouetted in a menacing manner on the front wrapper of this colorful and rare pressbook.