This is a rare opportunity to own a book which was once owned by arguably the most famous magician in history. This book has multiple stamps throughout and on page edges showing it was part of the "Harry Houdini Collection". Unlike most books of this type, this was donated by Houdini during his lifetime, these stamps were not added during the splitting up of his library after his death.
 
The book was presented by Houdini to his friend Will Goldston's Magician Club, almost certainly at its founding in 1911 when they were gathering books for the library. Houdini was the first president of the club and would attend club events when visiting Britain. The book contains stamps showing it was in The Magician's Club library including a "presented by" stamp which has "Harry Houdini" written on it. This is not an autograph of Houdini, it is almost certainly written in the hand of Stanley Collins, the club's first librarian. 
 
The book was purchased directly from the Goldston estate and has remained in that purchaser's family until this sale.
 
The book itself is an interesting French-language book containing many illustrations, including optical and chemical effects and the catching a bullet trick. 
 
Condition: Fair, a well-worn copy with wear to boards and spine, yellowed pages with some marks, stamps throughout, binding slightly loose in a few places. 
 
Binding: Hardback
Year:  c. 1878
Publisher: Arthème Fayard
Pages: 565
Dimensions (to nearest cm): 24 X 17cm