Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
(800) 937-3880
SELL

Lot #931
Harry Houdini

“I vanish 12 elephants per week, and twill be hard to continue, as they may get scarce”

This lot has closed

Estimate: $0+
Sell a Similar Item?
Share:  

Description

“I vanish 12 elephants per week, and twill be hard to continue, as they may get scarce”

TLS, one page, 8.25 x 10.5, February 27, 1918. Letter to journalist and fellow magician Edwin Fay Rice, in part: “Kit Clarke was in to see the show tiday [sic] at the Hippodrome, and saw the Elephant disappear. They come high but must have them. I vanish 12 elephants per week, and twill be hard to continue, as they may get scarce. Hoover may even be after me, for you k[n]ow 12 elephants amounts to a lot of meat. Don’t forget to go [o]ver Kit Clark’s Gift show article, and see what additions and improvements as well as corrections you mqy [sic] find ot [sic] add. If you want another copy of copies let me know.” Nicely matted and framed with a portrait of the illusionist to an overall size of 18.75 x 15.25. In fine condition, with slightly pronounced central vertical fold.

Debuting at New York’s colossal Hippodrome Theater, Houdini’s famous vanishing elephant trick involved a five-ton, eight-foot tall elephant and an even larger cabinet into which it would be coaxed. The doors would close, the curtains would drop, and a dozen men would spin the cabinet until the structure’s back was facing the audience; when opened to the crowd, the elephant was ‘vanished.’ An excellent letter referring to one of his largest-scale tricks. The James Collings Collection. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
  • Dates: #458 - Ended August 12, 2015





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for $100.00

*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.