'The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin' First Edition Signed by Harry Houdini (1908)
The Unmasking of Robert–Houdin, First Edition. NY: The Publishers Printing Company, 1908. Hardcover, 5.75 x 8.25, 319 pages. Nicely signed on the first free end page in fountain pen, "Harry Houdini." Autographic condition: fine. Book condition: good, with a cracked front hinge, a section of the index detached from the binding but laid in, small splits and creasing to spine cloth, light soiling to boards, and some creasing to interior pages; the signed page and text block are generally clean and bright.
Houdini billed this controversial book as ‘the first authentic history of magic ever published,’ and contained within it an unflattering account of Houdini's legendary predecessor and namesake Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin, alleging that he had taken undue credit for other magicians’ innovations.