Marking 100 years since the death of Harry Houdini, Potter & Potter Auctions will present a landmark sale of Houdini memorabilia on Saturday, Oct. 31, at the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood, Calif. Titled “Houdini Returns: The Centennial Auction,” the sale brings to the public for the first time 100 historic items, many of which were personally owned by Houdini.
Drawn from the lifelong collection of noted Houdini collector Kevin Connolly, the auction represents one of the most significant single-owner offerings of Houdini material ever assembled. The sale spans the magician’s early career through his rise to international fame, and beyond.
Feature lots include signed works from Houdini’s library, Houdini-owned handcuffs, his family photographs, personal correspondence, rare posters, and a striking life-size lobby photograph used to promote Houdini’s shows. Among the most remarkable items is an early photograph of Houdini and his wife, Bess, alongside the cast of the Welsh Brothers Circus. Annotated in Houdini’s own hand, this photograph was recently featured on the cover of a major publication pertaining to Houdini’s early career.
Potter & Potter estimates the total value of these collectibles between $300,000 and $500,000. Individual lots are expected to reach as much as $25,000. The sale offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire objects of value which were personally handled and preserved by Houdini himself.
The auction house has long been at the forefront of the market for magic memorabilia. Surpassing virtually all other auction house sales that pertain to material related to Harry Houdini. Notable results include Houdini’s Automatic Flowering Rosebush which was used during his final American tour. This piece of apparatus realized $324,000 at auction, the highest price paid for any magic related object. Record-setting prices for Houdini pieces such as performance artifacts, signed books, autographed manuscripts, and rare posters have defined the market for Houdini memorabilia and has established the firm as the world’s leading destination for collectors.
“Houdini has been represented in Potter & Potter’s auctions from day one, and he has appeared in nearly every magic sale we’ve conducted over the past two decades,” said Gabe Fajuri, President of Potter & Potter Auctions. “Even now, 100 years after his death, Houdini’s name remains synonymous with magic itself. We’re honored to partner with lifelong collector Kevin Connolly to present 100 rare relics that he has spent decades assembling. These are deeply personal objects, items Houdini owned, used, and lived with, and many will be offered publicly for the first time. To present them in a live auction at the world famous Magic Castle on the centennial of his death makes this a truly once-in-a-lifetime event,” finished Fajuri.
Bidding will take place live at the Magic Castle for invited guests and club members. Interested parties may also participate via phone or online at www.potterauctions.com. Seating for the live event is limited.
All lots will be available for the public to view at Potter & Potter’s Chicago, Ill., gallery throughout the month of October. In advance of the sale, Potter and Potter will offer a rare opportunity to preview the highlights of the auction at the Magic Castle. A panel discussion on Houdini’s life and legacy will take place the day before the live auction.
A full-color auction catalog will accompany the event, as well as a limited edition of 100 deluxe hardbound copies produced to commemorate the centennial. The day following the live event, Potter & Potter will conduct a second online-only auction of associated Houdiniana and magic memorabilia.
To learn more, visit www.potterauctions.com.