Rare Houdini Diary from Manny Weltman Houdini Collection to be Sold at Auction in New York on October 31

Harry Houdini's diary for 1916, with poignant reminiscences of his parents, will be sold at auction at Swann Galleries, New York, on October 31, the 76th anniversary of the master escape artist's death. It is one of the highlights of the extensive Manny Weltman Houdini Collection, assembled over a 50-year period as an aid to research by the late Houdini biographer, which is featured in the sale. Only a few Houdini diaries are known to exist, and this is the first to be offered at auction. It is expected to bring $40,000 to $60,000.

MANNY WELTMAN HOUDINI COLLECTION FEATURED
AT SWANN GALLERIES ANNUAL MAGIC AUCTION ON OCTOBER 31
Collection Formed Over a 50-Year Period by Houdini Biographer Features Rare Personal Diary and Important Scrapbook on Spiritualism

New York--October 31 marks the 76th anniversary of the death of master escape artist Harry Houdini, one of Americas all-time great performing artists. Fittingly, it is also the date of Swann Galleries annual Magic auction, which features the extensive Manny Weltman Houdini Collection.

Weltman (1931-1994), who was well-known as a Houdini biographer and bibliographer, formed the collection over a period of some 50 years and used it for his research.

The Weltman Collection contains many rarities. Foremost is the autograph diary Houdini kept for the year 1916, which includes poignant reminiscences of his parents. It is one of only several of his personal diaries extant, and arguably the first ever to be offered at auction (estimate $40,000 to $60,000).

Also extremely important are a scrapbook on spiritualism given to Houdini by noted psychic researcher Henry Ridgely Evans, which seems to have been started by famous magician Bill Robinson, who performed as Chung Ling Soo," and is a primary source for Houdinis study on spiritualism ($35,000 to $50,000); and An Open Letter to His Excellency Calvin Coolidge President of the United States, circa 1925, a two-page printed petition boldly signed by Houdini, with space for the signature of another supporter, that was prepared in an effort to block the possible repeal of legislation controlling false spiritualist practices, which has never previously appeared at auction ($7,000 to $10,000).

Of special note among many items related to Houdinis performances are one of the earliest posters, Harry Houdini -- King of Cards, Chicago, circa 1895 ($10,000 to $15,000); a seemingly unknown poster for the Houdini film, The Man from Beyond, 1922 ($12,000 to $18,000); a signed contract for eight weeks of performances with the Lyceum Theatre chain, 1924 ($5,000 to $7,500); and a sampling of printed challenges from various periods of his career.

Manny always felt the collection should be seen, appreciated, and used-as he used it for his research," said his wife Nanette. It is being offered at auction so that Houdini devotees all over the world will have a chance to share in this process."

The Weltman Collection is different from anything we have offered at Swann," says Gary Garland, Magic specialist. It has a broader scope in terms of the potential Houdini collector. In addition to first editions and inscribed books, correspondence, and typescripts, there are large archives of vintage photos and a plethora of paper ephemera. The estimates will allow any interested party to buy something."

The auction will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. on October 31. The items will be on public exhibition Saturday, October 26 from 10 am to 4 pm; and Monday, October 28 through Wednesday, October 30, from 10 am to 6 pm. There will be a Gallery Walk with the specialist on October 26 at 3 pm.

An illustrated catalogue, with information on bidding by mail or fax, is available for $25 from Swann Galleries, 104 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010, tel. (212) 254-4710, extension 0, and may be viewed online at www.swanngalleries.com.
For further information, and to make advance arrangements to bid by telephone during the auction, please contact Gary Garland at tel (212) 254-4710, extension 17, or by e-mail: ggarland@swanngalleries.com.

Manny Weltman (1931-1994)

When he was about 11 years old, Manny Weltman, a self-described magic nut" discovered a man so mystical that he seemed to border on the supernatural. . . . To maintain an aura of mystery about himself, he deliberately masked his true background, and created a superhero by the name of 'HOUDINI! "

Young Weltman was smitten, and began a lifelong research project to find the historical truth" about Houdinis early life. He published Houdini: A Definitive Bibliography in 1991. Along with the sleuthing, over a 50-year span he amassed an astounding collection of Houdini memorabilia, much of it illustrated in his book, Houdini: Escape Into Legend-The Early Years, 1993, which was intended as the first of several volumes.             
Weltman was an accomplished close-up magician and an original member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood, where he served as Houdini historian, and where items from his collection were often displayed. He was an advisor for several movies about Houdini, and photographs and film footage from the collection have been used in documentaries, including a Houdini biography on A&E that was dedicated to Weltman after he passed away in 1994.

In addition to Houdini, Weltmans expertise in the performing arts ranged from opera and operetta--especially Gilbert & Sullivan--to film history. For many years he published and contributed to the monthly Opera Guide, as a service to opera, musical theater, and the classical vocal arts in California. His biography of an early star of silent film serials, Pearl White, the Peerless, Fearless Girl was published in 1970.

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