Pressbooks for Houdini's movies are fantastically rare and desirable, especially as they contain images of all the posters and adverting for the film. A reproduction of The Man From Beyond pressbook was sold in the late 1970s by, I believe, Jim Steranko (correct me in the comments if I'm wrong). Because of this, it's the pressbook most are familiar with. But I can't recall seeing an original come up for auction in many years, so this was a nice get for someone.
For the record, I believe I may own the only complete Terror Island pressbook (it was displayed last year at the Catalina Island Museum). I believe Kevin Connolly owns the only known Haldane of the Secret Service pressbook. I recently saw The Master Mystery pressbook in the collection of Ken Trombly.
Related:
I bought my copy, ($10) of the press book repro in 1978 from a publication called, (I think) "MediaScene". It also had an article about Steranko's escape work, and an ad for advance copies of a new book by Steranko on escapes, called, "Iron Puzzles."
ReplyDeleteI sent in my $10 and now 40 years later, am still waiting for my copy of, "Iron Puzzles.”
Yes, that's where I got mine from as well. I thought MediaScene was Steranko's own publication? I recall mine took a long time to arrive. I was close to giving up on it. But then one day it came.
DeleteBe worthwhile is Steranko did eventually publish another book pertaining to escapes. His 1964 work was years ahead of it's time and still is.
DeleteSteranko, if you're reading this, remember you still have my money and I want that book!
HI
ReplyDeleteI believe Steranko owned MediaScene.
While I have been fortunate enough to see all 5 pressbooks for his movies, wouldn’t it amazing to see them all on display together someday.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I own the original Grim Game pressbook in the related link above.
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