Hungarian magician and escape artist (1876-1945) who was the younger brother of Harry Houdini. The founder of the Magician's Guild, Hardeen was the first magician to conceive escaping from a straitjacket in full view of the audience, rather than from behind a curtain. Vintage matte-finish 9.5 x 12.5 portrait of Hardeen by the Mitchell Studio of New York, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, "To Joseph A. Whitacre, with all good wishes, sincerely yours, Theo. Hardeen, Successor to his famous brother, Houdini, Aug. 22nd, 1927.” Double-matted to an overall size of 14 x 18. In fine condition, with a couple of very light creases, and silvering to the ink which affects the readability of the start of the inscription.
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