The four posters are: "Houdini for President" (estimate: $75,000 - $85,000), King of Cards (estimate: $10,000 - $20,000), Slander in Germany (estimate: $65,000 - $75,000), and what might be the rarest of the batch, a 1903 one-sheet advertising Houdini's jail escape in Amsterdam. I'm not sure I've ever seen this poster at auction before. In fact, I'd never seen a color image of this poster until now. Auction estimate is $60,000 - $80,000.
The auction also includes posters for Kellar, Thurston, Dante, and Chung Ling Soo among others.
According to an article in today's New York Times, Kanter, 65, spent decades trying to develop a museum, theater and hotel with a magic theme, where he could display his collection. He considered sites in New York and Los Angeles, but could find no major backers. He's selling the posters now partly because of health problems.
The Kanter Magic Poster Collection sale is set for 10AM on Sunday, December 9, at Arader Galleries, 1016 Madison Avenue at 78th, New York, NY 10021. You can view all the lots and bid online at LIVE Auctions.
UPDATE: Two of four Houdini posters sell in NYC auction.
How sad that Kanter could not convince investors to back him up. Those in the upper echelons with money to invest usually lack vision and like to play it safe.
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