Published on
January 31, 2012 in
Blog.
Due Out In March 2012
Finally! A Houdini related book for young girls. I haven’t read it yet, as it was just delivered minutes ago. Quickly thumbing through it, the main character of this series, Rebecca, goes to see the Houdini show in Times Square.
There are images from various collections, including mine. The images seem mostly from “Houdini: Art and Magic” exhibit traveling the country now. The title of this book is “The Crystal Ball” by Jacqueline Greene. The book will be released in March and has a cover price of $6.95.
Published on
January 30, 2012 in
Blog.
Food For Thought - Now On Ebay
Proof That Houdini Would Not Sign A Blank Piece Of Paper
If you know me for any length of time or read what I posted on this site, than you know what I think of “clipped” Houdini signatures. You know the ones, usually they are on Ebay or the like, that sell from $50.00 to $500.00. It just depends how much the neophytes, aka guppies, want this “rare” Houdini item. Below is an excerpt from my post “Collecting Houdini”(click tab above).
There are many collectors who are their own worst enemies when it comes to collecting magician’s autographs, especially Houdini’s. These collectors either try to convince themselves or talk themselves into believing that the $200 Houdini clipped signature that they see on an auction site is real. They also want to convince themselves that this a great deal at this price, when they know that legitimate Houdini autographs sell for five to ten times and sometimes more than this paltry $200 asking price. I don’t know if the logic of these collectors is greed or just being naive. Either way, this way of thinking will end up being a headache for these collectors in the future.
So, once in for all, please stay away from those clipped signatures.
Published on
January 29, 2012 in
Blog.
Now On Ebay
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This was Houdini photo was just listed on Ebay. The seller went to the expense of having the piece double glazed so one could see the Houdini autograph? Do you think it was worth it?
Published on
January 25, 2012 in
Blog.
Kevin Connolly Collection
While digging around for the silver Houdini token posted below, this silver one ounce ingot turned up. It was produced by “The International Silver Ingot Co.” in 1975 when silver was much cheaper than it is today($32.00 an ounce). There was a production of only 499 numbered ingots. When silver hit $50.00 an ounce in the 1980′s, I’m sure many of these were scrapped. Back then, it seemed that anything and everything that was silver was being sent to the smelter. It was a wild time while it lasted.
Published on
January 25, 2012 in
Blog.
Unused Houdini Trunk Label For Sale $650.00
Back Of Label - Glue Still Intact
Here is a Houdini item you don’t see everyday and better yet, you have a chance to own. This is an unused Houdini trunk label. The size of the piece is 4 1/2″ x 11″. Condition is fine. Please click on the label to enlarge the image. This ephemeral piece would be a nice addition to any Houdini collection. Price: $650.00US
Published on
January 24, 2012 in
Blog.
Kevin Connolly Collection
Kevin Connolly Collection
Well, we will probably never find Houdini’s movie “The Soul of Bronze”, but at least we can have his bronze medal. This has the same image as the .999 silver one below this post. The specs are slightly different between the silver and bronze sets. Both sets of medals are now for sale here and can be found in the “Houdini Ephemera” section of our store. I only have one set of each variety.
Published on
January 23, 2012 in
Blog.
How Much Does This Really Weigh? - Kevin Connolly Collection
A .999 fine silver Houdini medal, like the one above, sold last week for almost $400.00US. I kept the Houdini medal/token in the back of my head, as I knew I had one in my collection. In the description of the this medal/token there included much information about the piece. To begin with it, it’s really two pieces. There were only 250 of these medals/tokens minted and each contained five troy ounces of silver. As with anything Houdini, there seems to be an unanswered question or two.
When I picked up my medal I noticed right away they were very heavy compared to other magicians’ tokens I’ve handled over the years. I put them on a scale and weighed them to see how heavy they were. Their combined weight was 179 grams. Since this is silver I was weighing, it was weighed in troy ounces. There are approximately 31.1 grams in a troy ounce. Now multiply 31.1 by 5 and your sum is 155.5. Now I subtracted the 155.5 grams from the total weight of 179 grams and the sum I came up was 23.5. The way I figure it, that’s an extra three quarters of ounce of silver. That’s a pretty significant discrepancy, especially with the price of silver on the move upward.
Sorry for the math class, I thought I just some of you Houdini and magic token collectors would like to know. Who knows, maybe I have my numbers wrong?
Published on
January 21, 2012 in
Blog.
The Four Londons - Kevin Connolly Collection
The London's Postcard Inscribed To Houdini - Kevin Connolly Collection
This is a postcard of “The Four Londons”. Their act consisted of the four lads performing on the horizontal bars. They must have had some act indeed; as the person who reviewed the bill said they were “one of the best, if not the very acme of the acts presented this week” and that includes Houdini, who was the feature. Please click on this link to see when Houdini and the Londons performed together in Boston in 1906. http://tinyurl.com/73gvso7 -
Also of interest to the Houdini, vaudeville or entertainment collector is the image of the “Four Londons”. I couldn’t find another image of them anywhere on the net. This may be the only image extant in private hands.
Needless to say, I only have this one card from “The Four Londons” addressed to Houdini. The postcard is dated 1914 and coincides with the time when Houdini was also appearing in the UK. This real photo postcard was printed in England and is in very fine condition. The elongated Houdini penny is not included with the piece. It is used to deter copying of the image.
If you want an item that belonged to Houdini to add to your collection; this nice gem might just be it.
Price: $650.00
Published on
January 20, 2012 in
Blog.
A Nice Addition To Your Collection
Very Limited Printing And Signed By The Author
Bonus Upper Deck Card Included With "Elephant Notes"
Reverse Of Bonus Upper Deck Card
Here is the first item, of what should be a long list of magic and Houdini items to be sold. The above item is the lecture by Patrick Culliton on “Houdini’s Vanishing Elephant”. It had a very limited printing; most likely less than 100 of these booklets were produced. The book is signed on the cover by the author, Patrick Culliton. Condition is very fine. The booklet is spiral bound with 30 pages including many photos. If you want the inside dope on this Houdini Illusion, this is it. A must have for the Houdini collector, as any Culliton book is. Please click on image for a better view of the item.
I will include a bonus with the above signed book , an Upper Deck Houdini trading/baseball card with the purchase of “Houdini’s Vanishing Elephant”.
Finally, the price, including delivery in the USA, is just $15.00. I only have a few of these, so first come, first served. I accept Paypal, money orders or checks. If you live outside of the USA and want this offer, please e-mail me and I will work something out for you.
Published on
January 19, 2012 in
Blog.
Don't Forget To Check Back In To See What New Item Has Been Listed
After decades of postponing an attempt to completely organize my Houdini collection, the time has finally arrived. I will begin to sort out the photos, letters, printing blocks, glass negatives, movie related items and all other ephemera. Luckily, I have the book section of the collection in order. That’s a big help; the books alone encompass nine bookcases.
Now, what to keep an eye out for. I know I have some duplicates in most of the areas of Houdini collecting, such as books, photos etc. I will list the items I’m selling here on the blog and then list them into the store. If you’re looking for items to fill in some holes in your collection or looking for that one Houdini piece that you just may never see again, it will be worth your while to check back often.
