Houdiniana: Five Rare Books for Collectors

Highlights of the Potter & Potter Houdiniana & Magic Memorabilia auction on April 18 include:

* Houdini's Paper Magic by Harry Houdini (New York, E.P. Dutton & Company, 1922)

Inscribed and signed to his wife Beatrice Houdini with her bookplate to front pastedown and inscribed by her "Beatrice Houdini / wife of the author" and with the ownership signature of John A. Hinson below. Houdini's own inscription reads "To my darling sweetheart wife, soulmate, friend and lifes companion, and one who anticipates my every wish, fully appreciating her endeavors and to whom I shall give flowers during life. Houdini. April 25/1922 New York City."

* Lawlessness on Trial

A scrapbook of crime stories and clippings owned by Houdini and Lewis A. Lawes (circa 1910), a bespoke scrapbook collecting dozens of magazine stories and clippings regarding famous criminals and outlaws and their exploits. Signed by Houdini on the front pastedown in pencil, together with the bookplate of Lewis Lawes, the longtime warden of Sing Sing Prison.

* The Lover's Dictionary: A Poetical Treasury (New York, Harper & Brothers, 1867)

Bookplates of Harry Houdini and his wife Beatrice (the latter signed by her), and with the ownership signature of Houdini in pencil to the upper left corner of the preferatory page ("Houdini / his book").