New York and London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1924. First Edition. Black and white photographic plates, illustrations. Hardcover. Octavo. xxiv, 294 pages.

This is Houdini's memoir of his nearly 30-year investigation of Spiritualism and its purported ability to communicate with the dead. Houdini, as a young magician, studied the mechanical effects and psychological tricks used by mediums in séances, noting their overlap with stage magic. Yet after his mother’s death in 1913, he embarked on a far more personal and intense inquiry—seeking to discover whether any true power existed to reach the spirits of the departed. He was willing and even wanted to believe, but the deeper he dug the less convinced he became.

Interestingly, Houdini was quite good friends with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, and the frontispiece photograph shows the two men together in front of the Auto Club in London. Conan Doyle--who gave us literature's most logical detective--was a devout believer in Spiritualism. The friendship between Houdini and Conan Doyle became strained as Houdini exposed as frauds mediums Conan Doyle believe in.

A solid copy of this fascinating book by one of history's most influential magicians.

Very good. Bound in blue-gray cloth over boards with spine and upper board titled in gilt. Spine titling dulled and darkened. Lower joint has three small areas of frayed chipping to cloth. Shallow bumps to extremities, a few other light rubs to cloth. Two prior owner names on front pastedown. Hinges sound, interior clean with mild toning, gilt to front cover remains bright.

Item #1993

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