Master Mystery photoplay lands $585

A photoplay edition of Houdini's 1918 serial The Master Mystery by Arthur B. Reeve and John W. Grey sold today on eBay for $585. The photoplay was listed as being in Fine condition and also had the original dust-jacket.

Copies of The Master Mystery do show up on eBay from time to time, but it's rare to see one that's still in the original dust-jacket. Because the book contained a torn page, the auction included a second copy (no dust-jacket) with the page intact to allow restoration.

A Master Mystery in dust jacket sold last year for $545.

If you don't want to pay $500+ to read the adventures of Quentin Locke and the Automaton, know that several public domain reprints of The Master Mystery can be purchased on Amazon. There is also a free eBook version for the Kindle.

Unfortunately, none of these modern reprints feature Houdini or Master Mystery artwork on their covers.