Rarities from Houdini's early career sweep eBay

This was an exciting week on eBay. A small treasure trove of never-before-seen rarities from Houdini's first European tour appeared from a seller who recently sold a rare German Houdini item. These were sent by Houdini to magician C.C. Dunbar in Boston and appear to have been taken from a scrapbook. These items have never before been offered for sale and are stunners! Here's a rundown:

GERMANY 1902 early HOUDINI POSTCARD RARE

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The highest priced item was this postcard Houdini sent from Germany to "Herr C.C. Dunbar" in 1902. I knew this one was going to be a battle royal, and I wasn't wrong. It sold for $4,520.00 with 64 bids.

RPPC PHOTO POSTCARD Harry Bessie HOUDINI

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This German postcard card might have been my favorite item of the batch. "Well Hallo" from "Harry and Bessic Houdini" with a rarely seen image of the Houdinis. It sold for $2,276.56 with 37 bids.

1900 HOUDINI HANDCUFF KING theater news

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A terrific press release on a postcard with "Theatrical News From Germany, 1900." The back is addressed to Dunbar by Houdini. Sold for $1,875.00 with 28 bids.

HOUDINI FRAUD slander case Cologne GERMANY

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Another rarity from Germany, this postcard details Houdini's famous slander trail in Cologne. One would assume that Houdini printed hundreds of these and sent them far and wide. However, this is the only one I've ever seen. This was the "deal" of the bunch at $578.00 with 13 bids.

Rare 1901 HOUDINI People's Palace BRADFORD UK

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A 1901 program for the "People's Palace" in Bradford, England with two pages highlighting Houdini's $5000 challenge to any rival to duplicate his feats. Sold for $1,256.00 with 10 bids.

Exciting to see so many unknown Houdini rarities appear on eBay. It's a shame that many of them appear to have suffered damage while being removed from the scrapbook.

Related posts:

• German Houdini piece sells for $3,049
• Houdini's "Cologne Papers" at auction