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Houdini - "I am not only an illusionist" - As He Exposes Mediums Who Claim To Speak With The Dead. Fantastic! 2x Signed, 4pp.
Houdini - "I am not only an illusionist" - As He Exposes Mediums Who Claim To Speak With The Dead. Fantastic! 2x Signed, 4pp.
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Description:

Houdini - "I am not only an illusionist" - As He Exposes Mediums Who Claim To Speak With The Dead. Fantastic! 2x Signed, 4pp.

A contemporaneous carbon copy of a 4pp typed letter in German originally sent from Harry Houdini (1874-1926), the world-famous illusionist, to Dr. Paul Suenner, editor of "Physische Studien" ["Physical Studies"] magazine. Boldly signed twice by Houdini at top as "HH" and as "Houdini." August 21, 1925. N.p. Several typographical edits appear throughout the text in ink and pencil. The watermarked carbon paper has scattered rusted paper clip impressions near the top edges, isolated smudges, and flattened folds and corners. Each page is double hole-punched at left. Else near fine and very legible. 8.5" x 11." Accompanied by a complete German transcript and English translation.

Houdini's letter to Dr. Paul Suenner, of which this carbon is a faithful copy, contained a spirited defense of himself against recent negative press. German psychiatrist and psychical researcher Albert von Schrenck-Notzing (1862-1929) had written an article published in "Physische Studien" in June 1925 called "Der Okkultismus im Lichte der gegnerischen Kritik" [trans: "Occultism in the light of opposing criticism"] in which the author had questioned Houdini's authority as an expert of the occult, and characterized him as an arbitrary spiritualist debunker. Houdini's letter to Dr. Suenner challenges Von Schrenck-Notzing's criticisms point by point in a very effective way.

Because it is a rebuttal to Von Schrenck-Notzing's negative characterizations, Houdini's letter to Suenner reads like a summary of his career accomplishments. Houdini presents himself as one of the world's preeminent psychical researchers, who after 35 years of applied study, has built up a massive archive of relevant scholarship, and whose expertise enables him to routinely lecture at American universities. In addition, Houdini argues, he actively investigates fraudulent mediums, thus preserving the real art and craft of explicable magic. Houdini emphasizes his role in sponsoring a $30,000 cash prize (drawn from numerous sources) to be presented to any genuine medium who could "conjure up physical manifestations without being exposed" three times successfully. Near the conclusion of the letter, Houdini proudly states that his investigations, undertaken during the last 18 months, resulted in more convictions of fake mediums than during the last 50 years.

Houdini wrote in part, translated:

"I just received the monthly magazine "Physische Studien" from one of my friends: Volume 6, Leipzig, June 1925. And to my astonishment I find an article by Dr. med. A. Freiherrn von Schrenek-Notzing, - "Der Okkultismus im Lichte der gegnerischen Kritik" [Occultism in the light of opposing criticism], in which I am attacked in an unprecedented way…

I would like to inform the Freiherr von Schrenck-Notzing that I have 75,000 to 100,000 books on spiritualism, sorcery, and the like, and dedicate six months of every year to the study of these books. Two to three months a year I refuse any other employment and since I have a minimum weekly income of $2,500 to $3,000, I pay $25,000 for my studies annually. I urge Dr. Schrenck-Notzing to prove to me that any other spiritualist researcher spends so much money on research. I own the largest library on this subject in the world.

Furthermore, I possess over half a million newspaper clippings and hundreds of letters dating back to the beginnings of Spiritualism in 1848. I would also like to mention that I spend most of my money on research and do not strive to enrich myself materially.

It should also be added that I spend part of my time giving lectures at American universities.

What is more, I am a member of the committee of the "Scientific American," which magazine will pay the sum of $5,000 to any medium that can produce proof that it is genuine. "The Journal of Abnormal Psychology" also has a sum of $5,000 set aside for this purpose, and the editor, Dr. Morton Pri[n]ce, has elected me to this committee along with five professors from Harvard College in Boston. These two journals are the highest authorities of scientific psychology in America. So if Dr. Schrenck-Notzing could send a real medium here, this medium would promptly receive a sum of $10,000 after offering proof of their authenticity - and also $10,000 from by Josef Rinn and $10,000 from myself: so $30,000 altogether. However, this medium would have to conjure up physical manifestations without being exposed and would have to repeat this three times before me and a committee chosen for this purpose. I am not sceptical, but I am looking for a real medium. If I cannot prove that the medium has undertaken the manifestation in a natural way and if I cannot imitate it in a natural way or cannot cause it to be imitated, then the medium can be described as genuine…

The Freiherr flatters me when he writes: 'an author like the Graf von Klin[c]kowström, who is willing to publicly disseminate in his work the frivolous and outrageous marriage of a materially interested professional illusionist without any verification as evidence against mediumism, although the exact minutes of the Societies of Psych. Research in English and German are available, is only aiming at Houdinist slanders which are apt to denigrate mediumistic research.'

To which I can reply that I have been a researcher of Spiritualism for 35 years and although I have letters from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in which he claims that I am an 'occultist,' and although J. Hewat McKenzie, President of the British College of Psychic Science says that I can dematerialise and rematerialise myself, I must still state that I perform all my mysterious experiments or demonstrations in a natural way.

It will also be of interest that in the last 18 months, through my research and exposures of false mediums, in the United States there have been more arrests of false mediums than in all of the last 50 years… Every time I left a city, mediums gathered for large protest rallies. If these people could once bring me a real medium, they would convince themselves and silence me…

I have the greatest respect for Dr Schrenck-Notzing, and for his views. Nor do I claim to be able to do his work, but I can examine pseudo-miracles and determine their authenticity. If Dr. Schrenck-Notzing and I were to be plunged into the Isar together in a wooden box, I would be the only one of us who would reappear on the surface.

I hope that the above proves to you that I am not only an illusionist, but have a real interest in finding a real medium…"

Houdini's letter mentions no fewer than ten different important figures in early 20th century psychical research, including supporters and detractors of Spiritualism, and mediums. It is literally overflowing with fascinating historical context. These figures include:

"E.J. Dingwall and Harry Price" (p. 1)

Eric J. Dingwall (1890-1986) was a British psychical researcher who served as the official research officer of the Society of Psychical Research from 1922-1927. In this role, Dingwall investigated many alleged mediums.

Harry Price (1881-1948) was a British psychical researcher, amateur magician, and one of Houdini's close friends.

"Dr. Morton Pri[n]ce" [sic] (p. 2)

Dr. Morton Prince (1854-1929) was an American psychologist and neurologist who established the "Journal of Abnormal Psychology" in 1906. Prince studied whether there were psychical explanations for medical disorders, and was interested in hypnotism.

"Josef Rinn" (p. 2)

Joseph Rinn (1868-1952) was an American magician and spiritualist debunker.

"Eva C." (p. 3)

Eva Carrière (1886-1943) was an alleged French medium who claimed to have the ability to create ectoplasm. The case of "Eva C." polarized the occult community. While Albert Von Schrenck-Notzing, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Gustav Geley believed that Carrière's abilities were authentic, Harry Houdini, Mathilde Ludendorff, Eric Dingwall, and V.J. Wooley believed that she was a fake. Carrière's séances were elaborate productions of stagecraft which often culminated in her stripping nude. Her ectoplasm was later revealed to be wads of chewed up paper, magazines, and newspapers suspended by strings and wires. Von Schrenck-Notzing's belief in Carrière, along with other exposed fake mediums, branded him as overly "credulous" in the psychical community.

"Graf von Klin[c]kowström" [sic] (p. 3)

Carl Graf von Klinckowstroem (1884-1969) was a German historian of science, technology, and culture who was intrigued by mysticism.

"Sir Arthur Conan Doyle" (p. 3)

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was an ardent Scottish spiritualist famously duped by the Cottingley Fairies stunt in 1917. Doyle's belief in Spiritualism often clashed with Houdini's skepticism.

"J. Hewat McKenzie" (p. 3)

James Hewat McKenzie (1869-1929) was a British parapsychologist whose work legitimized the claims of many mediums. In his 1917 book, "Spirit Intercourse: Its Theory and Practice," McKenzie contended that Houdini's ability to escape from impossible restraints could only be achieved through psychic means, namely that Houdini could dematerialize and rematerialize at will. Houdini vociferously contested McKenzie's claims.

"W.A. Jackson" (p. 4)

William A. Jackson was the president of the Nationalist Independent Spiritualist Association, an organization of independent spiritualists and mediums incorporated in Los Angeles, California in 1917. In late February 1925, Jackson was convicted of criminal conspiracy; he was sentenced to a 90-day sentence in a city jail as well as a $500 fine.

"Mrs. Mabel Riffle" (p. 4)

Reverend Mabel Riffle (died 1961) served as the secretary of the Indiana Association of Spiritualists from 1909-1961 and managed Camp Chesterfield in Indiana. This spiritualist campground established in 1886 had two onsite hotels to accommodate guests eager to participate in medium-led séances.

Harry Houdini was a celebrated illusionist, stuntman, and entertainer. While by all accounts he wasn't that skilled at card tricks, Houdini excelled at performing escapes. Between 1899-1908, Handcuff Houdini relied on his audience-drawing prison breaks. Yet he was also buried alive, suspended over water tanks, sealed in milk cans, and interred in 500 lb. sea monster carcasses! Each time he triumphantly escaped.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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