How to Sell Your Harry Houdini Autograph
To auction, sell or consign your Harry Houdini autograph, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).
Who Was Harry Houdini?
Harry Houdini was a world renowned illusionist who had previously worked in circuses and vaudeville shows. As a magician he was known for his escape acts including the Water Torture Cell, which became his most famous act. Houdini also appeared in several films during the first few decades of the 1900s, including The Grim Game and The Man from Beyond.
Some Harry Houdini Autographs We Sold:
Typed Letter Signed –an “Open Letter” to President Coolidge — Sold for $5,000
Harry Houdini typed letter signed, ”Houdini”. Document is titled, ”An Open Letter to His Excellency Calvin Coolidge, President of the United States”. Houdini, an ardent debunker of phony mystics, writes to dissuade the President from relaxing laws against spiritualists in the District of Columbia. Letter dates to circa 1926. It reads in part, ”…any class of criminals or lawbreakers could, with equal right, add a pseudo-religious services to their unlawful practices and, when run down by the authorities, claim that they too were being ‘persecuted’ because of their religion…” Runs 2pp. on a single sheet, signed on verso. Measures approximately 25.75” x 8.5”. Near fine. Sold for $5,000.
Twice-Signed Copy of His Book “The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin” — Sold for $4,000
Harry Houdini twice-signed first edition of his book about his namesake, “The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin”. New York: The Publishers Printing Co., 1908. Signed upon the front free endpaper, “To Miss Helen Charles / with best wishes and regards from the author / Harry Houdini / May 12 – 1913 / may the reading of this book conjure up pleasant thoughts. / HH”. The great magician’s critique of his former “guide and hero” Robert Houdin runs 319pp., bound in brown cloth boards measuring 5.75″ x 8.25″. Some discoloration along edges of boards, and joints starting, else very good condition with a lovely signature page. Sold for $4,000.
Signed Membership Card for The Society of American Magicians — Sold for $3,661
Harry Houdini signed 1927 membership card for The Society of American Magicians, boldly signed by Houdini as President, ”Houdini”. Card was issued to Raymond Terranella, a member of the Dallas Magic Circle who wrote about Houdini’s visit to Dallas in 1924 at which time he installed the Dallas chapter as Assembly 13.
Signed Membership Card for The Society of American Magicians — Sold for $3,025
Harry Houdini signed membership card for The Society of American Magicians. Card from 1922 is boldly signed by Houdini as President, ”Harry Houdini”. Measures 4.125” x 2.5”, triple matted with a photo of Houdini to a size of 9.5” x 14.75”. Mounting remnants to verso of card, overall in very good plus condition. Sold for $3,025.
Signed Septia Tone Head Shot — Sold for $2,279
Harry Houdini autograph on a photo of Harry Houdini, famous magician & President of the Society of American Magicians, to “Mutiny on the Bounty” screenwriter and a founder of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Carey Wilson. To the right of Houdini’s mischievous grin, inscription reads: “Carey Wilson / Here’s hoping that my portrait will always bring back pleasant memories / Harry Houdini.” Harry Houdini autograph signed photo. Dated 27 December 1918. Mounted on vintage advertising board (Liberty Tobacco), measuring 7″ x 9″. Photo is a light sepia tone head shot. Inscription and signature in black ink. Some soiling, tiny black spots to upper lip, one inch crease to left margin at Houdini’s shoulder, tiny paper loss to lower left corner, and light creasing. Overall very good condition. Sold for $2,279.
Signed First Ed. Book “Houdini’s Paper Magic” — Sold for $2,135
Harry Houdini autograph in his book: “Houdini’s Paper Magic.” New York: E.P. Dutton: 1922. First edition, first printing. Hardcover runs 206pp. Signed & inscribed in black ink to detached front free endpaper, “To Dr. Milton A. Budges / Best wishes / Houdini / June 21 – 1922.” Measures 5.5″ x 7.75″. First several pages detached, including signed page. Slight separation to boards & overall loosening to bind. Wear & soiling to boards & evidence of removed bookplate to front pastedown. Accompanied by unsigned later edition of the book. Good condition. Sold for $2,135.
Signed Photo of Mother — Sold for $2,106
We realized $2,106 for a black and white photo of Harry Houdini’s mother. Photo is dated fall of 1908 and has been trimmed in the upper right corner.From Moe Howard’s personal collection. Sold for $2,106.
Signed Profile Photo From 1920 — Sold for $2,025
Harry Houdini signed 8″ x 10″ photo, showing the famed illusionist in profile. Houdini writes in bold blue ink, “To my friend Tod Anderson / good luck / Houdini / June 1 1920”. Matte photo shows mounting remnants to verso, and light buckling and wear, but displays beautifully in very good plus condition. Notation on verso reads “Houdini at the Palladium. N.B. There is no copyright fee to use this picture.” Sold for $2,025.
Signed Typed Letter From 1922 — Sold for $1,719
Master magician and escape artist Harry Houdini autograph on typed letter from 5 January 1922. Composed on letterhead form ”The Society of American Magicians”, where Houdini served as President, Houdini writes to a Mr. Richard Van Dien in full: ”Dear Mr. Van Dien:- [Mr. is crossed out in lieu of a first name] / Enclosed find copy of a registered letter received regarding registering ‘Growing a Girl’. Will you please bring this up for attention at the next council meeting. Regards, Sincerely yours, [singed] Houdini”. Houdini also pens a personal closing, though it’s unclear what he writes. Letter measures 8.5” x 11”. Light creasing and folds. Near fine condition. Sold for $1,719.
Thanks for learning about some of the Harry Houdini autographs we sold! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to sell your Harry Houdini memorabilia.
FAQs
How do I consign or sell my Harry Houdini autograph?
It’s never been easier to sell your autograph at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and images of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with a free appraisal.
This sounds great and I’d like to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement to review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days following the auction.
What factors determine the value of a Harry Houdini autograph?
The value of your autograph can vary based on condition and subject matter.