Houdini and Conan Doyle rarities on display in Tacoma

An exhibit called Arthur Conan Doyle, Houdini and Spiritualism is currently on show at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum in Tacoma, Washington. The exhibit opened May 1 and runs through August 30, 2012.

According to the description on the official website, the exhibit contains several letters written by Houdini early in his career "pleading for a job - showing almost an obsessive attitude toward his work", a paper record of a seance, including "Mrs Doyle's cross," and the contact box used.

It's not clear from the description if this "paper record" means they have the actual Automatic Writing pages from the famous Atlantic City seance on display (which would be remarkable).

The Karpeles Manuscript Museum is located at 407 S. G St., Tacoma. Admission is free. It is one of 11 museums around the country housing the private historic manuscript collection of California real estate magnate David Karpeles. Exhibits rotate every three months or so between the museums. (Here's hoping Houdini and Conan Doyle comes to their Santa Barbara location so I can give it a looksee.)

Thanks to The News Tribune.