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HOUDINI'S PERSONAL DIARY FOR 1916 HOUDINI, HARRY. Autograph Diary kept for the year 1916, in Houdini's hand throughout, with 71 entries scattered
HOUDINI'S PERSONAL DIARY FOR 1916 HOUDINI, HARRY. Autograph Diary kept for the year 1916, in Houdini's hand throughout, with 71 entries scattered throughout the year. Small folio, original cloth, backstrip and extremities quite worn; scattered additions of newspaper clippings and photographs, a few removed at some time (probably to be added to a family scrapbook), several entries with a portion clipped out for personal reasons. Vp, 1916
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Notes: important piece of houdiniana and one of only several personal diaries extant. The diary contains 71 entries on various dates throughout the year. The entries offer a telling portrait of the man and the artist. He speaks of various theatres in which he is performing and notes tricks and challenges used in the various cities visited. More importantly, there are many very personal entries dealing with his family and friends, and very poignant reminiscences of his mother and father. A sampling of entries follows:
Feb 4 - "Bot this - this date [referring to the diary book] San Antonio Texas Paid $1.75... Jessie James N & W - Lesson in magic... very big house." Feb. 29 - "Arrive in New York City at 2 PM. Gladys & O. Teale meet us. I go out to cemetery." Mar. 5 - "Left on the 20 Centy for Chi... Bess & I have drawing room... I was out to cemetery in morn. Just as we left heard that Bro Bill had a Hemmeroge." Mar. 27 - "To oblidge G. Gottlieb & Rogers at first show I did the Padded Cell Suit." Apr. 6 - "My 42nd Birthday. Went out to cemetery." Apr. 9 - "Staid at Home. Nat came in for a vacation. Terrible snow storm. I teach Harry H. Weiss a card trick." Apr. 13 - "Prospect Theatre. Beer challenge (cask). Interboro Brew Co." Apr. 17 - "Washington D. C. Gladys comes along for the 3 days & stays end of week. Piano Box challenge. Outside S. Jacket stunt. Beer challenge?" Apr. 24 - "Baltimore - Maryland Theatre. Did Piano Box - Beer Challege - Gibbet escape challenge. Fred C. Schanberger Mngr. I did better than last time!" [with a news clipping attached advertising the performance]. May 20 - "On subway station I meet Mrs. Lefler, have not seen her in years, also Mrs. Lazerous whom I have not seen in 29 years. The old lady kissed me, was overjoyed to see me. I nearly cried, as she was a pal of my Dad and Mrs. L is the only one left of the old Guard. Pa & I lived with her in 1887." May 20 - "... went to 305 E 69th St. the house from which we buried dear old Father. I had not been there for many years, stood there in silent meditation half an hour, in my minds eye I saw Father leave the house the last time - he was brot back Oct 6 1892 in Peace & Silence. I was 18 years of age - and now being 42 I could re-live through the whole scene. It grieves me more now than it did then. I can still hear our Blessed mother weep in supplication saying "Weiss, Weiss, du has nich verlassen mit deiner Keinder!!! Was has du gethan... [etc.] June 2 - "S.A.M. Banquet at McAlpin Hotel. Took Bess, Gladys, & Miss Chester. I was the Guest of Honor. Dash & Elsie did not wish to go. I hired a car." July 2 - "Had Steinbiner show Dash the only Plot near our Plot & Dash bot. cost $400 & is easily worth $600 at prices prevailing. Nat and Toodles along." July 8 - "3 years ago this date, Bess & I sailed for Germany to play month in Kobenhagan, last time I saw my beloved mother alive." Aug. 10 - "gave a show for 1500 convicts at Ossining... met Fanny Brice on train, her sweetheart Nick Arnold in for something like Gd larceny. I gave a 3 hour show." Aug. 12 - "Met Howard Thurston & his new wife Mrs. H. T. the Third." Sep.1 - "H. Keller here on visit." Sep. 2 - "Talma is without a doubt the greatest female sleight of hand performer that ever lived. Equally clever in all she does... Kellar in the audience, Dash, Elsie, Bess & I at show..." The diary continues through December 7 with more entries of a similar nature. we find no record of any houdini diary ever being offered at auction.
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