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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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Lot 5

Magic Made Easy by Harry Houdini. King of Cards…Monarch of Shackles and Handcuffs.

Estimate: $4,000 - $8,000
Starting Bid
$2,000

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). Magic Made Easy by Harry Houdini. King of Cards…Monarch of Shackles and Handcuffs. Chicago: B. Schulman, 1898. Pictorial self-wrappers, upper reproducing spirit photos of Houdini freed from shackles by a ghost. Illustrated. 16mo. [3] 4—32pp. Merchandise catalog, listing 62 props and apparatus, preceded by “Hints for Amateurs” and an ad for Prof. Harry Houdini’s “School of Magic” in New York. RARE.

One of Houdini's first "pitch" books, sold after his performances to boost his meager income. Houdini sold souvenir booklets like this one throughout his career, and this is one of the earliest, from the years before he gained international fame. Magic Made Easy would have been "pitched" to crowds after shows in dime museums, small vaudeville halls, and circus tents.

Overall Dimensions
Weight: 1.00 lbs

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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.