Printed circular letter signed “Houdini,” two pages, 8.5 x 13, no date [early 1920s]. A famous communication to the President drafted by Houdini as part of his longtime crusade against fraudulent mediums and spiritualists. In part: “A Spiritualistic newspaper, known as “The Progressive Thinker,” has prepared a petition, and is now soliciting signatures with the intention of persuading your Excellency to use your high office, and personal influence, to bring about the repeal of certain just laws with deal with the criminal practices of alleged ‘spirit-mediums’…. Practically every one of these so-called ‘mediums’ who have been accessible to competent investigators, have been shown to be either self-deluded, or willfully fraudulent…. The attempt is being made … to make it appear that the alleged ‘mediums’ are ‘persecuted’ on account of their ‘religion,’ and are victims of unjust discrimination…. Any class of criminals or law-breakers, could, with equal right, add a pseudo-religious service to their unlawful practices, and, when run down by the authorities, claim that they too were being ‘persecuted’ because of their religion…. I trust most earnestly that your Excellency, if, perchance, you have not had the opportunity to make a personal study of this complicated, and difficult subject, will not be influenced by the Spiritualistic petitioners.” The present item is one of the rarest examples of ephemera from Houdini’s “second career” as a professional debunker of spiritualists, with only a handful of specimens known to have survived. In very good condition, with slight blotting to first letter of signature, horizontal fold, uneven toning, scattered light soiling, adhesive remnants to top edge, and a few chips, the document nonetheless remaining quite presentable. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA. Featured collection item.
