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THBHarry Houdini Signed 'SS Imperator' Program Sheet -A Magical Transatlantic Encounter with Theodore Roosevelt
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About Auction
LiveMay 15, 2024
Boasting nearly 800 lots, RR Auction's May Fine Autographs and Artifacts sale is highlighted by a section honoring the anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's birth—including important signed photographs, a remarkable Kennedy family-signed book, a knife used to slice his inaugural cake, a page from his pioneering Peace Corps legislation, and scarce teletype reports on his assassination. RR Auction support@rrauction.com
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- Lot Description
Terrific original program sheet for “Concert-Entertainment” aboard the SS Imperator, a massive German ocean liner built for the Hamburg America Line, one page, 7 x 11, dated June 21, 1914, signed in black ink, “Compliments of Harry Houdini.” The concert, held “for the benefit of the German Sailors Home and the Magicians Club in London, England,” lists performances by the Ritz Carlton Orchestra, Madame A. Cortesao, and “Mr. Harry Houdini, The world famous Self Liberator and Mystifier in his various acts." Houdini’s performance is listed in two parts with a total of 15 acts. The first part includes tricks like “Jessie James feat of defeating the gallows,” “The camelion handkerchiefs,” “Wine and water,” “Card sleights extraordinary,” “Spiritualistic Slate test in full glare of the light,” and “East Indian needle trick.” The second part consists of four tricks where “Houdini will demonstrate his skill in escaping from any Regulation Handcuff or Leg-Iron.” In fine condition, with two file holes to the left edge.
'When the SS Imperator set sail for New York City in June 1914, it had on board bigwigs of both politics and entertainment—namely, former president Theodore Roosevelt and acclaimed illusionist Harry Houdini. Houdini was returning from a performance tour across the UK, and Roosevelt had been busy with a tour of his own: visiting European museums, meeting ambassadors, and then attending the wedding of his son, Kermit, in Madrid. Though the two men hadn’t crossed paths before, they soon became fast friends, often exercising together in the morning.’
The proximity of their lodgings also afforded Houdini the chance to plan a particularly elaborate ruse for the former American president, whose attendance aboard the Imperator had been tipped off to Houdini earlier that month. After captivating Roosevelt with a series of card tricks (the program’s referenced ‘Card sleights extraordinary’), Houdini eventually segued into a ‘spiritualistic slate test’ designed especially for Roosevelt. Through cunning and a little luck, Houdini successfully steered Roosevelt into asking the slate: ‘Where was I last Christmas?’ Knowing that Teddy had been busy exploring (and surviving) South America in December 1913, Houdini had prepared the slate to show a map of Roosevelt’s journey along the Amazon. The reveal dumbfounded Roosevelt, who purportedly turned to the magician and asked ‘Is it really spirit writing?’ It’s believed that the great Houdini never disclosed to Teddy Roosevelt that ‘it was just hocus-pocus.’ - Shipping Info
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