Houdini Unmasked : William Elliott Hammond [ Spiritualism , Anti-Houdini ]

Description

Rare first edition of Houdini Unmasked an anti-Houdini, pro – Spiritualism pamphlet published in the year of the magician’s death.

 

Hammond, William Elliott. Houdini Unmasked. [Publisher Not Listed]. [1926].

 

Houdini, the famous magician and escape artist, was known for his critical stance on Spiritualism, the American religious movement that believes in the existence of spirits and the possibility of communicating with them. In his later years, Houdini dedicated much of his time and energy to exposing the tricks and techniques used by mediums to deceive their followers. His efforts to debunk Spiritualism earned him a reputation as a skeptic and an enemy of the movement, leading to the publication of  his book A Magician Among The Spirits (1924) as well as his controversial testimony before Congress in 1926.

This tension between Houdini and Spiritualism is reflected in this publication, Houdini Unmasked, a rare anti-Houdini pamphlet published in defense of the Spiritualist faith. The pamphlet, which was published in the year of Houdini’s death, accuses the magician of prejudice, hypocrisy, and self-blinding skepticism. It serves as a reminder of Houdini’s bitter war against Spiritualists in his final years and is dedicated to the late president of the National Spiritualists association, Dr. George B Warne.

Houdini was well-known for his impressive feats and sensational performances, which often involved elaborate illusions and escapes. However, his criticism of Spiritualism and his efforts to expose the tricks used by mediums led some to view him as a skeptic who refused to believe in the possibility of the supernatural. Houdini Unmasked accuses him of prejudice against Spiritualists and of being a hypocrite for using deception and trickery in his own performances.

Overall, Houdini Unmasked is a significant publication that provides insight into the heated debates surrounding Spiritualism and the role of deception in the entertainment industry. It serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of Houdini and the lasting impact of his controversial beliefs and actions. The fact that there is only one known copy of the pamphlet further adds to its rarity and historical value. Whether one agrees with the arguments made in Houdini Unmasked or not, it remains an important document in the ongoing conversation about Spiritualism and the role of skepticism in society.

One copy found in OCLC as of December 2022.

 

16pp, staple bound pamphlet. Some soiling to wraps with some small pinholes to front. Staples rusted. Corners bumped. Minor dogearing to page corners. Pages clean. Good condition.

 

If you liked this book you might also like this original lecture on Spiritualism by Dr. George B Warne or this copy of the Shekinah owned by Spiritualist Senator Nathaniel P Tallmadge.