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:
Ordered Houdini’s Library from the publisher three months ago. Still waiting for it…wonderful. Given that the USPS lost one of my packages last month, I’m not holding my breath this book will ever arrive.
So sorry to hear that! Hope it shows up soon, it’s a must have!
Over the pond, Amazon shipping on 20th November !
On pre order.
It’s definitely worth the wait!!
This is a great letter. Thanks for sharing.
You are most welcome. Hopefully that helped add to your chronology for 1920.