Potter & Potter Auctions is pleased to announce the results of a 432-lot sale held on April 18. All prices noted include the auction houses 20 percent buyers fees. Coined the Houdiniana and Magic Memorabilia sale, material was consigned directly from Harry and Beatrice Houdini family members and marked the 100th anniversary year of the great magicians death. The gross total was $563,000. The top selling lot was Harry Houdinis Houdinis Paper Magic, inscribed and signed to Beatrice Houdini. Estimated at $20,000 to $30,000, it delivered $31,200. This book was published in New York by E.P. Dutton & Company in 1922. It featured Beatrice Houdinis bookplate on the front, signed by Beatrice Beatrice Houdini / wife of the author. Additional inscriptions include one from Houdini on the flyleaf reading To my darling sweetheart wife, soulmate, friend and lifes companion, and one who anticipates my every wish, fully appreciating her endeavors and to whom I shall give flowers during life. Houdini. April 25/1922 New York City and Houdinis signature on the dedication page. This book came from the collection of Beatrice Houdini and was passed to the consignor by descent. A Koch & Co. Houdini Challenge handbill was estimated at $500 to $1,000 and sold for $19,200. This letterpress document was printed in New York in 1907 and issued by the employees of H.C.F. Koch & Co. In it, they proposed to build a packing case onstage before the audience from which Houdini would escape. This ephemera came from the collection of Beatrice Houdini, and was passed to the consignor by descent. Toni Morettos (1929-2011)Chung Ling Soo Bullet Catch Sculpture was estimated at $3,000 to $5,000 and traded hands at $16,800. This ca. 1995 ceramic sculpture featured the Marvelous Chinese Conjuror with a plate in his hand and two marksmen with rifles pointed toward him. This was a comical reimagining of his signature Bullet Catch effect. This trick tragically ended Soos life in 1918 when he was shot onstage during a performance at Londons Wood Green Empire. A Harry Houdini autographed playing card, estimated at $3,000 to $5,000, dealt $15,600. This ca. 1915 example was the Ace of Spades from a Goodall & Sons Steamboat back. It was signed H Houdini below the makers name in ink. It was sold with a modern print showing Houdinis hands and arms manipulating a pack of cards. We were both honored and thrilled to offer this final grouping of material from the Houdini familys own archives in our April sale. Competition was fierce throughout the day, which is perhaps evidence that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the great magicians passing, and so interest is heightened across the board. Im also pleased to result that other lots in the sale outperformed pre-sale expectations. The Toni Moretto sculpture, for example, set a new record for the artist, stated Gabe Fajuri, President at Potter & Potter Auctions. For additional information, call 773-472-1442.