WILLMANN, Carl (1849 - 1934). Moderne Wunder. Leipzig: Otto Spamer, 1892. 8vo. Grey cloth pictorially stamped in gilt, white, black, brown, and blind. Includes skeleton motif to front. Patterned ends, marbled edges, and a profusion of illustrations and plates, including spirit photos. Frontispiece of the author behind tissue. Text in German. Owned by Houdini and part of his personal library; SIGNED BY HOUDINI ("H Houdini") at the base of the title page in purple ink. 

Willmann operated a magic factory in Hamburg for decades, and constructed many stage illusions and parlor tricks for the great conjurers (both European and American) of the "golden age" of the art. This book is one of two classics he authored, and many of its pages explain spiritualistic tricks Houdini would expose later in life, including rope ties, slate writing, and optical effects. 

Cloth a bit dark, boards bumped and rubbed, hinges starting and binding a bit loose, chipping to endsheets. Good.