Two excellent and informative TLS from Houdini to stage medium Ira Erastus Davenport (1839–1911), both Houdini’s retained copies, 1908 and 1909. Davenport (1839–1911), together with his brother William Henry Harrison Davenport, claimed to have powers of otherworldly communication from a young age. After the Fox family of Hydesville, New York, reported mysterious rappings in their home in 1848, the Davenport boys, who lived in nearby Buffalo, were evidently “inspired” to mysteriously produce sounds from musical instruments while tightly bound in a darkened room. As with so many such claims of the time, which reflected the unusual fascination with spiritualism in the Victorian era, the brothers’ “powers” came under the scrutiny of the most prominent skeptics of the time, Houdini principal among them. Nonetheless, Houdini and Davenport evidently enjoyed mutual cordiality and esteem, as evidenced by this fascinating and revealing correspondence. The items included in the lot are as follows [Houdini’s spellings retained throughout]: 1) TLS (carbon), signed “HH,” three pages, approximately 8 x 12.25 (the bottom margins trimmed), December 12, 1908. Houdini writes to Davenport from Liverpool. In part: “We have arrived in England after a three months tour in Germany, as usual have come out with flying colors. Have wanted to write you from Germany, but neglected to do so, and will keep you posted from now on as to our journeys. I suppose you remembers this town, in fact from the clippings I possess of your historical tour through England, I am going to play every city where you have been.... Why I am even booked in Huddersfield. I met Mr. J. N. Maskelyne [renowned British magician; 1839–1917] one day last week in London, and informed him that you were alive and well.... his old partner Cooke has been dead some time, and his partner is a young magician named David Devant [1868-1941]. All the old timers are dying, and we young fellows can hardly believe the hard times that ‘used’ to be, before the public was educated. I still have some very trying tests, but as I happen to be master of my craft, and know how to speak seven languages, I manage to get along so well that I expect to retire in a few years. I shall then finish my new book ‘Modern Man of Mystery’.... I shall be in Europe for two years and will come home (America) for one season.... Had I known were you were living when [line or two of text missing from bottom edge].... Would be pleased to hear from you at any time.... It may please you to know that I made all of them [rivals in Germany] climb down and take off their hats to Harry Houdini. One dealer Carl Wilmann, who has written several books against Spiritualism, wanted to challenge me for 20.000 marks against 40.000. Well I accepted and he crawled!!!!... It has not been easy for me, but I have NEVER had any one defeat me, or make me look as if I needed a spanking. I am telling you all this as I firmly believe I know more about your trials and hardships than any one living today....” After describing an encounter with a man who claimed to be a relative of Davenport’s, Houdini concludes, “Pardon this long letter, but when I get started into writing to you I have to talk ‘History’ as you are one of its living writers....” After describing an encounter with a man who claimed to be a relative of Davenport’s, Houdini concludes, “Pardon this long letter, but when I get started into writing to you I have to talk ‘History’ as you are one of its living writers....” Houdini has also annotated the top of the final page “copy.” 2) Unsigned early photographic facsimile of Davenport’s handwritten four-page response to Houdini’s letter, dated January 19, 1909. After expressing his appreciation for Houdini’s letter, and revealing his own diagnosis with cancer, Davenport makes several recollections of his own European travels (including extreme hostility from British audiences) and touches on various magic- and spiritualism-related topics. A few excerpts: “I shall always feel a great deal of pleasure in your success especially in meeting and overcoming anything in the matter of English hostility and opposition.... I have a large quantity of material in the shape of scrap books dating back to 1855 ... which I will place at your disposal if you can make any use of them.... I think the possibilities within your grasp are almost boundless, splendid new territory, all South and Central America, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, India, Spain, Portugal, and Africa.... [My brother and I] never in public affirmed our belief in spiritualism, that we regarded as no business of the public, nor did we offer our entertainment as the result of slight of hand, nor on the other hand as spiritualism, we let our friends and foes settle that as best they could between themselves, but we were often the victims of their disagreements....” 3) TLS (carbon) signed “Harry Houdini,” two pages, 8 x 13, October 8, 1909. Houdini writes to Davenport from Oldham, England. In part: “We remain here in England until end of October, and then off for Hamburg Germany for two months.... In ten months this is our third visit, and which makes it quite a great thing as you know a big atrraction dare not visit the same city too often, for fear the folks will get tired. But I manage to bring new mysteries, so by the time they think they have solved one, I have ‘sprung’ another.... All places are scenes of your former triumph, and in which you made historical sensation (your name will live forever in the world of Mysterious entertainers) before I was born. Strange world we are in, and time fleets along on ‘greased lightning’ wings. In Hamburg I shall meet Herr Willmann, of whom I make mention in my Conjurers Magazine, and he has never forgiven my victory over him, and I may look for a lively battel when I get there, as those men can’t understand why a foreigner can come to Germany, and ‘earn’ so much money. I persume I shall make more in my two months, than he can possibly earn in a year!!... The first thing I have to do is to leap manacled fron their highest bridge, and as it will be wintery weather it will not be a schoolboy’s delight swim.... I saw Mr. J. N. Maskelyne work two weeks ago, he is not as young as in days of yore. He plays parts in mystical sketches, and is a neat entertainer. In the London Edition of my book Robert Houdin unmasked, among the corrections, I make mention I have heard from you, and have added an interesting paragraph regarding you.... I have also ‘discovered’ the son of Phillippi in poor circumstances, and the Great Grand Nephew of Pinetti [Italian magician Giuseppe Pinetti, 1750–1805] in well to do circumstances in Italy. Visited the Grave of John Henry Anderson [Scottish magician, 1814–1874] in Aberdeen.... I have also discovered a double photo of your brother and yourself, and enclose same, wishing that you would please autograph it for me....” Houdini has also annotated both pages “copy,” adding “HH” to the first page. 4) Period book photo of Houdini and Davenport together on July 5, 1911, the caption describing it as “the last photograph of the old showman.” In fine condition overall, with trimming as noted, intersecting folds (vertical fold to first name of signature on second letter), scattered wrinkling, and marginal paperclip rust stains to letters, and light creases, dings, and tiny tears to Davenport facsimile. Both signatures are clear and dark. A remarkable pair of Houdini letters with superlative content and an association of exceptional interest! Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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