Monthly Archives: September 2026

2002 37 Cent Houdini Stamp issued

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It took 51 years to get a Houdini Stamp issued.

At the SAM Centennial Celebration in New York, on July 3, 2002, the 37 Cent Stamp was finally issued.

Below is the Original Program created by the United States Postal Service to commemorate this historic day. The program includes dignitaries: Marie Blood – Niece of Harry Houdini, David Copperfield, Members from the Houdini Family, and other representatives from Society of American Magicians and US Postal Service.

Front:

Back:

The program came in an official first day of issue folder. I am lucky enough to have one signed by Marie Blood – Houdini’s niece.

I also have a couple other keepsakes from the Blood Family.

Houdini Stamp Announcement Card:

Full Sheet of Houdini Commemorative US Postal Stamps Stamps) signed by Jeffery Blood – Nephew of Houdini:

The Houdini stamp contains a hidden image that can only be seen with a special USPS stamp decoder:

Future posts will include Houdini First Day Covers (FDC) and other Houdini stamps in my collection.

Two tickets to a private showing of the Grim Game from Houdini to the Maggs Bros

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Today, I share A Letter from Houdini to Maggs Bros., with tickets to a private showing of the Grim Game, where he signs himself as The Book Collector:

Photos courtesy of Euphemia Franklin, Magg Bros.

So who were the Maggs Bros?

According to a December 5th, 2024 REBPAF blog post by Sara D’Amico, University of Alicante:

One of the most important dealers in London. The firm was founded by Uriah Maggs in the middle of the 19th century and between 1894 and 1906 his four sons – the brothers that gave the name to the firm – took over. By the time Houdini started dealing with the Maggs, sometime before 1920, only three of the brothers were still alive and, despite showing great affection and respect for all of them, he became particularly close with Charles Maggs.

And what did Houdini purchase from the Magg Bros?

According to Eric Colleary’s outstanding book, Houdini’s Library:

  • Purchased Materials from Caliostro and the Affair of the Diamond Necklace,
  • A first edition of Reginald Scot’s infamous Discoverie of Witchcraft,
  • David Garrick’s Travel Diary to Paris, 1751, and
  • Tour Letters of Charles and Ellen Kean

Related:

2001 34 cent Houdini stamp unveiled

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October 29, 2001, a 34 cent commemorative postage stamp honoring, Harry Houdini, was unveiled at a special ceremony on the stage of the Lance Burton Theatre at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino. This was just two days before the 75th anniversary of Houdini’s death.

Credit: December 2001 M-U-M

Standing in front of the poster of the commemorative Harry Houdini postage stamp to be released July 2002, are Las Vegas Postmaster, Thomas E. Peterson, Lance Burton, and actor Tony Curtis, who fastens Burton in a straitjacket in preparation for his upside-down escape.

Credit: December 2001 M-U-M

Above, Burton wriggles free as Peterson looks on.

Credit: Magic July 2002

George Hardeen poses before 1911 poster used for design of stamp honoring his granduncle.

Joe M. Notaro Collection

The 34 cent stamp appeared on the December 2001 cover of M-U-M.

Joe M. Notaro Collection

And it appeared on merch, like lapel pins; I have 2 different types in my collection.

Joe M. Notaro Collection

But by the date of issue on July 3, 2002 postage rates had increased.

1976 “Houdini Commemorative Cachet” sans an official Houdini stamp

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Pushing the Envelope

Rather that wait for the United States Postal Service to some day issue a stamp that honored Houdini.

It was 1976, the year of the Bicentennial, as well as the 50-year milestone of Houdini’s Halloween death in Detroit, Michigan, and Kaiser, owner of the Premier Company, a printing firm in Houston, deemed it the ideal time to go postal with Houdini. “While still hoping to enlist the cooperation of philatelic and magical societies,” stated a notice circulated at the SAM National Convention in Philadelphia that year, “Mr. Kaiser feels that this important occasion should not go unnoticed in collaboration with accompanied cachet designer, John J. Henler, the Premier Company will proceed on its own and produce an attractive cover that will appeal to both stamp collectors and magicians as a once-in-a-lifetime keep-sake.”

The distinctive four-color “Houdini Commemorative Cover” was privately issued, sans an official stamp. Attached was a 6.3c Liberty Bell stamp and a 7.9c Snare Drum stamp, captioned “Beat the drum for liberty, and the spirit of ‘76” [both were U.S. bulk rate issues), and they were canceled with a “DETOIT, MI /OCT 31, 1976 / 48233” postmark.

The flap of the envelope carried a reproduction of a blue-ink signature of “Harry Houdini Mysteriarch,” and printed beneath it was a caption: “His true signature circa 1905.”

Inside was a 3-1/2 by 6-inch card with a synopsys of Houdini’s career that concluded with the statement: “This is the FIRST philatelic recognition in the U.S. of magic and magicians.”

Ads in The Linking Ring, M-U-M and Genii announced the “Memento Cachets” were available from the Premier Company for $1 each or three for $2.50. And, as with most printers, the more you ordered the less the unit price became: 60c each for 25 to 100 copies; 50c each for 100 or more.

[MAGIC DECEMBER 2001]

Photos: HHCE Collection