HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 - 1926). Theater Program for Houdini’s Final Performance. Detroit, 1926. Complete Playgoer program (Volume 1, Number 8) for the Garrick Theatre for the week of October 24, 1926 - the week of Houdini’s death. The program describes and details Houdini’s extensive three-part program of magic, escapes, and spiritualism exposés, features an ad playing on Houdini’s name, with one leaf bearing an illustrated ad stating that the week of October 31 will be Houdini’s last in Detroit. 32pp plus cover. With the former owner's tiny penciled notations in the margins beside various items in the program. RARE; the only complete example we have located. 

Houdini’s unexpected death on October 31, 1926 has been a source of great fascination and speculation for 100 years. He opened in Detroit at the Garrick on October 24, arriving from Montreal where he had sustained an unexpected punch to his stomach, which ruptured his appendix. On opening night in Detroit, attempting to work through excruciating pain, Houdini collapsed on stage and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors there determined that peritonitis had set in, and one week later, he succumbed.