INSCRIBED BY HOUDINI TO HIS FRIEND AND ATTORNEY

(MAGIC) HOUDINI, Harry. A Magician Among the Spirits. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1924. Tall octavo, original blue cloth gilt.    $6200.

First edition, presentation/association copy, illustrated with 15 photographic plates, boldly inscribed: “To my good friend Oliver Barrett. Best wishes, Houdini. Hope this book will always bring back pleasant recollections of the author.”

The world’s greatest escape artist reveals that “it is this question as to the truth or falsity of inter-communication between the dead and the living, more than anything else, that has claimed my attention and to which I have devoted years of research and conscientious study… I too would have parted gladly with a large share of my earthly possessions for the solace of one word from my loved departed.” Edmund Wilson once divulged that Houdini “lives in constant terror of being outwitted by a telepathist or a medium. Where he once challenged the world to tie him up, he now challenges it to convince him of the supernatural.” Without scarce dust jacket. The recipient of this copy, Oliver Barrett (mentioned on page 145 as having accompanied Houdini to a seance), was Houdini’s long-time personal friend, attorney and fellow autograph collector.

Text embrowned (as usual), spine of original cloth mildly toned. A near-fine inscribed copy with personal association.