Just think- you can own a piece of magical history-
something that was handled by the great Harry Houdini in his daily life!
This is a one-of-a-kind collectible, perfect for framing.
What a great gift!
About this envelope:
This is one of the envelopes found in Harry Houdini's personal desk.
The postmark is May 23, 1922.
The return address is: Adolph S. Ochs, The Times, Times Square, New York.
This letter was sent to Houdini's home in NYC, and addresses him as President, Society of American Magicians.
Adolph Simon Ochs (March 12, 1858 – April 8, 1935) was an American newspaper publisher and former owner of The New York Times.
Ochs was a passionate crusader against anti-Semitism, and his cause was very important to Houdini.
Ochs was active in the early years of the Jewish Anti-Defamation League, serving as an executive board member, and used his influence as publisher of The New York Times to convince other newspapers nationwide to stop the unjustified caricaturing and lampooning of Jews in the American press.
Ochs was an honorary pallbearer at Houdini's funeral
See a larger version of the front of the envelope here.
See a larger version of the back of the envelope here.
The story behind the Houdini Envelopes:
In the late 1980's, magician Peter Monticup (owner of MagicTricks.com), purchased Harry Houdini's ornate personal desk.
The desk had been in storage in Houdini's former NYC home from 1926 until it was sold in 1980.
Peter purchased the desk from this buyer, along with some other personal items from the Houdini home.
The desk had a number of secret compartments and hidden drawers.
Inside one of the drawers was a stack of envelopes from correspondence Houdini had received.
The envelopes were from all different sources- his lawyers, his fans, fellow magicians, etc.
He even wrote notes on some of the envelopes, either noting the importance of the contents, or just scribbling on them as scrap paper.
In researching each of the envelopes, we've found an important connection to an event or person in Houdini's life.
Of all the thousands upon thousands of letters he received each year, he saved each of these envelopes for a reason.
Houdini was a notorious "saver".
These envelopes were used as his personal Rolodex (address directory).
