99 Years in the Making - The Wait is Over!
The Cancer of Superstition is a book Houdini was writing at the time of his death with C. M. Eddy Jr. and HP Lovecraft. A week before Houdini died on Halloween of 1926, he was in communication with C.M. Eddy Jr. and was enthusiastic about the project's completion. However, as Houdini's condition worsened at Grace Hospital, his wife Bess sent Eddy and Lovecraft a telegram telling them to stop The Cancer of Superstition.Nearly 100 years later, the COMPLETE manuscript in the archives of C.M. Eddy's grandson has surfaced! With special arrangements with Alchemy Productions, 1878 Press Co. is proud to announce the March 24, 2025 release of Houdini's Cancer of Superstition!
- Foreword by Sammy Cortino.
- Featuring Houdini artifacts from the collection of David Haversat.
- Release Date - Houdini's Birthday: March 24th.
Excellent! I’ve purchased some of the books from 1878 and they are all high quality. Really looking forward to this
ReplyDeleteIndeed. David Haversat does great work.
DeleteDoesn't this mean there are two manuscripts? The one sold at Potter and the copy found by Eddy's grandson?
ReplyDeleteIt does.
DeleteI’m hoping the AI cover with weird fingers is a place-holder? Would be a real shame if that’s the direction this usually first-rate publisher moves into.
ReplyDeleteYeah not a fan of that AI image either. I'd like the cover to be a design that incorporates a photo of HH.
Delete*barfs* - Abby Martin
DeleteAnyone needing my graphic design skills? Call me up! ☺️
Seriously. The fingers are freaking me out. - Abby Martin
DeleteThe man doesn’t have opposable thumbs but the cat does!
DeleteThis is the cover. The story was originally intended to be published in Weird Tales, a magazine. Google Weird Tales, and you will get an idea of the art in the 1920's. It being 2025 this is the rendition and style to capture The Cancer of Superstition, so Houdini's face is not going to be on the cover. Based on the response thus far, the book will be sold within a month. We are pleased to make this story available after so many years laying dormant. Thank you for your kind support and responses!
ReplyDeleteDavid Haversat
I understand the context of the design, just not the use of AI to achieve it. I have no doubt it will sell well for the content and I’m really glad the effort’s been made to get this into print, I just worry that to some familiar with AI produced books (inside and out) may assume this is one of those. Though it’s certainly not the case with this book, an AI cover on most books is often a sign of short-cuts and lack of effort to create a product. Just my opinion though, I’m still very glad and thankful the effort’s been made to get this back into print.
DeleteI love the fact they placed "401" on the black cat's tag. That's a nice little Easter egg.
ReplyDeleteOh that's fun. I didn't catch that. I wasn't sure about this cover at first, but I've come around.
DeleteIt looks like the cover of a children's book that might be called The Cat, the Ghost, and the Crystal Ball...I wonder why Bess called it off. As his widow she stood to earn HH's percentage from the book sales. She walked away from income.
ReplyDeleteThat is excellent news.
ReplyDeleteI've already reserved several copies! Pete
ReplyDeleteI think the book would be more desirable with Houdini on the cover.
ReplyDeleteHarry deserves better. - Abby Martin
Delete(I’ve been waiting to say that all day.)
What Harry deserves is the story to released after all these years and it took this team to do it, so kudos to them! I'll make judgement after I have the book in my hands. And I don't believe a graphic artist looking for work who has an opinion of a cover is going to change ones mind on the validity of this. From what I understand or read this was ghost written by Lovecraft and Mr. Eddy and was to be one of several short stories from various authors in a pulp paper. Why would Houdini be on the cover and why does that matter you so called history buffs? I'm more interested in why Houdini's wife stopped the work? I believe the contents spooked her with all the sickness and death in 26. So whoever uncovered this, the family, publisher and decided to invest in the production you have my sale and thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou’re right on all of that. He does deserve for it to be posthumously published. I’m sorry. It’s just the cover is off for me. - Abby Martin
DeleteWell Put - Right On! KEN
ReplyDeleteAnd what are we looking at anyway? Was this manuscript completed? Or is this a first draft waiting for Houdini's approval? Given the historical significance of this book, he should be on the cover.
ReplyDeleteHi Leo, When you publish a book you can put Houdini on the cover. You haven't even seen the book or contents, but you have a lot to say. David Haversat
ReplyDeleteI'm under the impression that this is Houdini's book? If it isn't then most certainly he should not be on the cover.
DeleteThere are 3 people listed on the cover. If and when you read the book you will understand. Houdini is attributed in a Weird Tales issue called Imprisoned with the Pharaohs published in 1924. It does not contain any image of Houdini, he approved.
ReplyDeleteRemember that Houdini doesn't appear on the cover of the Henning book, the first edition of Houdini's Magic, the UK edition of the Gresham book, or even his own Magician Among the Spirits. It's not required. BTW, I assumed that was Houdini on the cover. He's got the eyes!
ReplyDeletedeep breath folks,it is a book not a controversy
ReplyDeleteI think there’s two distinct arguments here, both not that important for this specific book (which will be great either way). The first argument about the use of AI I think should be considered on future books, there are already awful AI magic books being made, so using an AI cover on a legit book might (and perhaps should) become frowned upon as these all-AI books grow in number (that’s before considering the ethical issues of AI in publishing).
ReplyDeleteThe lack of Houdini on the cover is, in my mind, irrelevant. Houdini didn’t put his own face on many of his own books. You don’t need to see a picture of him when his name’s on the cover.
Either way, the book deserves to do well and I’m sure it will. Hopefully this mild drama will discourage the use of AI for covers a bit. Nothing wrong with a simple cover if getting a human artist in is out of budget.
Just went on the 1878 Press Co website to pre order a single copy, and looks like it’s already out of stock. Sad
ReplyDeleteI don't think that "Out of Stock" indicates that it's sold out. I think that's just a default that means "not yet in stock." On March 24, I expect that will magically become a buy now button.
DeleteAwesome!! Thanks John. Everyone have a great day.
ReplyDeleteI'm buying it for the cool cat.
ReplyDelete