HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874?1926). Typed Challenge to Houdini from the Wayne County Coroners. Dated October 23, 1916 and written on Coroners of Wayne County letterhead, the challenge letter is addressed to Houdini who was then appearing at the Temple Theatre. The missive reads, in part, ?Having heard of your remarkable exploits in escaping various straight-jackets, cells ? I hereby challenge you to escape from the inner compartment of the Wayne County Morgue; from the fact that it is about 10 degrees below freezing in this compartment, we feel that you will lose no time in beginning operations to free yourself and assure you that your efforts, though strenuous as they may be, will not cause you any perspiration." SIGNED by the coroner, J.W. Rothacher. One 4to sheet, folded for mailing, with edges wrinkled, minor splitting at folds, and scrapbook remnants to verso. Provenance: Collection of Beatrice Houdini, passed to consignor by descent.Nearly ten years after this challenge was issued, Houdini found himself in a Detroit hospital fighting for his life. He lost his battle with peritonitis on October 31, 1926 ? Halloween. This time, however, there was no escape to make.