Incredible glossy 6.75 x 8.25 profile photo of Houdini, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To Mae Tiner, Best wishes and regards, Houdini, Oct 25—1919” and “’and—so this is the Houdini who struggled so hard in Chicago,’ Yes, he starned [sic]—and starred there. HH.” Double-matted and framed to an overall size of 12.75 x 15.75. In very good condition, with scattered creasing (resulting in many cracks to the surface), several edge tears (one approaching signature), and a small hole to the left of his forehead (none of which are affecting the extremely bold inscription and signature). Leaving behind his Manhattan home and his first steady job at a necktie factory, a teenage Eric Weiss, along with younger brother Theodore, took his magic show on tour in the late 1800s to perform in dime museums and on platforms alongside snake charmers, fire eaters, and other human oddities. In 1893 the ‘Brothers Houdini’ would head as far as west as Chicago, earning promising reviews for their performances at the World's Fair: Columbian Exposition. This unique example—bearing the magician’s signature, initials, and a third-person reference—recalls an immensely formative period of Houdini’s life, and is made all the more desirable by its bold signature, historical content, and modest voice. The James Collings Collection. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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