The best-known name in magic and illusion has always been that of Harry Houdini, who spent his career performing sensational escape acts in addition to his various stunts. Born Erik Weisz in Budapest, he arrived in the U.S. in 1878 with his mother and four brothers. The family lived in Wisconsin during his childhood, and he later moved with his father to New York City.

He started calling himself Harry Houdini when he started to get into professional magic; the name was derived from French magician Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin. Houdini properly began his magic career in 1891, but had little success despite appearing in a variety of circuses and tent shows. He would later partner with his brother, and set up at Coney Island as “The Brothers Houdini.” His big break came in 1899, when he met manager Martin Beck, who encouraged Houdini to focus on escape acts – these, of course, became Houdini’s signature trick.

Hake’s Americana currently has a signed Houdini photograph in their ongoing auction. The photo has been signed in black ink at lower right, along with a "Los Angeles - Oct. 5 - 1907" inscription. From 1907 and throughout the 1910s, Houdini performed with great success in the U.S., freeing himself from jails, handcuffs, chains, ropes, and straitjackets, often while hanging from a rope in sight of street audiences. This autograph was likely obtained at one of these performances in Los Angeles. Interested bidders should be aware that the auction will close on November 17, 2016.