Harry Houdini Memorabilia Collectibles
Harry Houdini
“Miracle Mongers and their Methods. A Complete Exposé”
Vintage Autographed Signed Book
RARE Giant 3 1/2" Signature
Could this be Harry Houdini's Personal Copy?
JSA Certified
From the Greatest Magician of all time.. one of the most significant and impressive Harry Houdini treasures we ever discovered!
Our Latest Find! A breath-taking historical find! Harry Houdini’s very rare book, “Miracle Mongers and their Methods. A Complete Exposé”. Unlike the “The Unmasking of Robert Houdin” which we were personally invited to present on the hit History Channel TV show “Pawn Stars” last year, this book is not only in extraordinary condition, but it a Very rare First and only edition. You see this book surface on the market very rarely compared to his other books most of which have multiple reprints. As a matter of fact, we could only find one that has sold at auction over the past 20 years.. And if the book's amazing condition and stunning pristine signature are not already enough to entice the avid historical memorabilia collector, the history behind this particular book and WHERE it was originally acquired is equally extraordinary! Could this have been Harry Houdini’s personal copy?? Read on!!
The previous owner inherited this astonishing book from his grandfather who was a magic enthusiast and lived near NY City, and acquired it from the Martinka & Co, in New York City, America's oldest magic company, once co-owned by Harry Houdini. It was later named Hornmann Magic Company and their original book label is on the last blank page of the book. Could this have been Harry Houdni’s personal copy? We are not sure, but what we do know is Mr Houdini was part owner of the venue this book was found, the Martinka & Co, in New York City.
This authentic , *Un-Personalized signature on the first blank page is the Biggest we have ever seen in our 35 years collecting! (see enlargeable images above and below). Simply a Magnificent bold, exceptionally large, vintage fountain pen autograph, in Rare Un-personalized* form, “Houdini” and he adds the date just below in large, strong heavy ink, “3/10/21” and his famous flourish under the date. A particularly Large Spectacular Houdini Signature, in vintage fountain pen ink, Not pencil like often seen! (Note: Pencil signatures carry a far less value then ink in the autograph collecting industry). . The most impressive we have seen in 35 years collecting..
*Avid Houdini collectors know Mr Houdini rarely ever signed an autograph without personalizing it to someone.
And this gem of a find has been professionally certified Authentic by the top autograph authentication company JSA and comes with JSA's Full Letter of Authenticity See enlargeable images above and below..
Additional Information
[SIGNED AND DATED BY HOUDINI] Houdini [Harry]. Miracle Mongers and their Methods. A Complete Exposé of the Modus Operandi of Fire Eaters, Heat Resisters, Poison Eaters, Venomous Reptile Defiers, Sword Swallowers, Human Ostriches, Strong Men, etc. NY: E.P. Dutton & Company (1920). 1st Edition [no additional printings listed, as called for by Dutton at this time]. 8 ¼ x 5 ½. V-xi, [6], 2-240 pp. Original light brown cloth lettered in black. Extremities lightly rubbed, not worn. Lettering bright on front cover and even lettering on spine is quite nice. Two small circular dings rear cover, the size of a ballpoint pen mark. Binding tight, contents clean, few small page tears. A Fine copy, no dust jacket. Signed and Dated by Houdini, 3/10/21 on the first free end page. Hornmann Magic Co., 304 West 34th Street, New York label on last free end page.
About Hornmann Magic Company: Albert Levinson (Oct. 10, 1895 - May 13, 1976) was a Jewish American magician and entertainer, better known by his stage name Al Flosso. From 1939 - 1976 Flosso owned and operated Martinka & C., which first opened in New York City in 1870’s, and was America's oldest magic company, and in 1919 Harry Houdini bought a partial interest in the store. Also of historical significance is that The Society of American Magicians was founded on May 10, 1902, in the back room of Martinka's magic shop in New York, the Society expanded under the leadership of Harry Houdini during his term as National President from 1917-1926.
The shop was later known as the Flosso/Hornmann Magic Co. Levinson died in New York City in 1976. Following his death, the shop was taken over by his son, Jack Flosso, also a magician, who died in 2003. Flosso sold the magic shop in 2000 to a friend, Ted Bogusta, who closed the shop and began selling the inventory online. The New York Times described the Flosso's Magic Shop as, "a messy Aladdin's cave of magical marvels from trick cards and ropes to a live lion that one owner, the magician Carter the Great, kept in the back room. It was also an atmospheric fraternity house where a visiting European magician, a superstar like David Copperfield and a curious teenager from Queens might rub elbows, ideas and magic wands. The younger and older Flosso held court on an old sofa, both making smart comments in an accent not unlike that of W. C. Fields.
From 1939 - 1976 Flosso owned and operated Martinka & Co, in New York City, America's oldest magic company, once co-owned by Harry Houdini, also later known as the Flosso/Hornman Magic Co. Levinson died in New York City in 1976. Following his death, Martinka Magic, which is still in operation, was taken over by his son, Jack Flosso, also a magician, who died in 2003.
The New York Times described the Flosso's Magic Shop as, "a messy Aladdin's cave of magical marvels from trick cards and ropes to a live lion that one owner, the magician Carter the Great, kept in the back room. It was also an atmospheric fraternity house where a visiting European magician, a superstar like David Copperfield and a curious teenager from Queens might rub elbows, ideas and magic wands. The younger and older Flosso held court on an old sofa, both making smart comments in an accent not unlike that of W. C. Fields.
Another writer and amateur magician recounts how happy he was the day Jack Flosso first invited him to see the back room, and tells of having bumped into, on various visits to the shop, such diverse notables as illusionist David Copperfield, magic enthusiast Muhammad Ali, and even Larry Fine's granddaughter, a performing clown magician in New York.
An incredible historical find!
Guaranteed Authentic for Life
Conway's Vintage Treasures
UACC Registered Dealer No 307
* See our other Museum Grade Houdini items below under "Similar Treasures You May Like"
Note: Cvtreasures stamp NOT on original
