HOUDINI, HARRY. Witchcraft [caption title]. Lengthy typescipt with a profusion of authograph corrections and additions throughout. 63 numbered pages on 8 1/2x11 inch sheets, on rectos only, some sheets slightly larger after cutting-and-pasting. Np, 1926
Estimate $20,000-30,000

important typed manuscript from late in houdini's career,<> dealing with a subject which had become an obsession for him. The manuscript has never been published. It is likely that the piece is unfinished and awaited additional chapters to be added.<>
The manuscript begins, "Why embarass the mind of the present generation with the superstitions and vagaries of past ages: The question might be asked with propriety; But the answer comes back with equal force: - Because, superstition with its baneful results are not altogether a thing of the past."<>
The manuscript gives a rough history of witchcraft as practiced through the ages and draws on many published sources, with an abundance of direct quotes from those sources. The manuscript ends with a description of the powers of the Witch of Endor, a figure who was of much interest to Houdini in his last days.<>
The manuscript is very much a work in transition. It is certainly not a first draft. Some of the leaves are cut and pasted from earlier drafts. The clarity of the language throughout suggests that the piece was heavily edited by someone. There are several hundred inked corrections and additions throughout in Houdini's hand. The additions, in particular, are pure Houdini, with spelling errors and incorrect phrasing. The corrections to punctuation were likely suggested by someone else, but they are still in Houdini's hand. The piece was probably run through three times, while all the additions are in ink, some of the corrections are in pencil, red pencil, or ink. But the thrust of the arguments throughout the piece are certainly those of Houdini. The dating of this important Houdini manuscript is derived from the text itself - Houdini notes several times that the present year was 1926. Lot is accompanied by a photocopy of an unsigned typed letter from Houdini to Mr. Davis, in which he mentions that he is working on a project dealing with the Witch of Endor and astrology and witchcraft. The letter is dated 16 July 1926 which makes it contemporary with the typescript described above.<> should be seen.<>

Sale 1949 - Lot 179

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