FROM THE LIBRARY OF HARRY HOUDINI: The Physical Phenomena of Spiritualism Fraudulent and Genuine

London: T. Werner, ca. 1908. First Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine. 8vo (203 x 138 mm). 11 halftone plates. Publisher's black cloth lettered in white, professionally rebacked preserving original spine, corners neatly restored. An extraordinary copy of this book, the best imaginable. From the library of Harry Houdini (twice signed) with numerous annotations by him. Inscribed by Houdini on the front pastedown, "I bought this book in Melbourne Australia March 1910 (I paid 12/6 ($3.00) for it Harry Houdini." (The book contains the ticket of the Australian bookseller E. W. Cole.). Beneath the inscription is mounted a photograph of Houdini's custom-made French Voisin biplane in flight in Australia. He has also signed the title-page, "Harry Handcuff Houdini Melbourne Australia March 1910," and the book contains both his and Beatrice Houdini's bookplates.





Houdini clearly read the book carefully. The text analyses spirit photographs, cabinet stunts, and Houdini's own techniques, and the margins are full of Houdini's (mostly) acerbic comments: "Wrong!"; "This is not true. H.H."; "Very Wrong!!!"; "?!"; "This man does not even attempt to explain any cell escapes H. Houdini"; "Rot!"; and "also Rot." A couple of pages do rate the comment "Good." Also tipped into the book is a typewritten description of "Sealed letter reading … Given to me by Roterberg," and a now-empty, and very browned. envelope. PROVENANCE: Rex Townsend (signature on half-title); Ricky Jay (Bookplate).