All the Houdini lots were red hot. A signed playing card sold for a stunning $11,400. A pair of gaffed Peerless handcuffs from the Wresch collection took in $13,200. A production baby said to have belonged to Houdini in his early days sold for $7,800. A collection of Dai Vernon's own mementos of the night he famously fooled Houdini at the Great Northern Hotel in Chicago sold for $6000.
The auction also included a program for Houdini's last appearance at the Garrick Theater in Detroit in October 1926. That topped out at $7,200. This is likely another record for an unsigned program.
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This was without a doubt an auction for those with really deep pockets. Very few items sold for less than a $1,000.
ReplyDeleteThat really wonderful Bessie letter to Dunninger stayed reasonable. I considered taking a run at that.
DeleteYeah that letter was only $420. This auction reminded me of the scene in Warren Beatty's film Bugsy. The mob leaders are meeting over the fate of Bugsy Seigel. One of them says: "Seigel has no respect for money."
DeleteThe Houdini brand is as strong as ever..
ReplyDeleteIndeed. I resisted the urge to gloat that last month a signed Thurston playing card sold for $468. Pretty big gap there!
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