Remarkable oversized portrait of Charlie Chaplin as The Pilgrim, inscribed to director Raoul Walsh

564. Charlie Chaplin Signed Photograph to Raoul Walsh. Outstanding vintage sepia matte-finish 10 x 13 full-length photo of Charlie Chaplin in the 1923 film The Pilgrim, signed and inscribed in fountain pen to celebrated director Raoul Walsh, “’You know me Raoul,’ Charlie.” Also signed in the lower right in red pencil by photographer James Abbe, “Abbe.” In fine condition. A stunning association piece connecting two Hollywood icons. Starting Bid $200

565. Montgomery Clift Typed Letter Signed. TLS signed “Monty Clift,” one page, 5.75 x 7.75, personal letterhead, November 18, 1961. Quick letter to George, in full: “Your thoughtful birthday card has only now come to my attention. Thank you for thinking of me.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

567. James Dean Original Photograph by Roy Schatt. Original semi-glossy 8 x 10 silver gelatin photo of James Dean posing beneath bull horns and a matador’s cape in 1954, signed on the reverse in ink by photographer Roy Schatt. Reverse also bears several Roy Schatt credit stamps. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

Starting Bid $200 signature and inscription, “To Johnny—Most sincerely, Jean Harlow,” on a light yellow irregularly trimmed sheet, with a sketch of Harlow done by a collector above her signature. In the black outline of the border, an ink notation reads, “Sept. 27, 35. MGM Riff Raff.” Sheet is affixed to a slightly larger off-white scrapbook page. In fine condition. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder. Starting Bid $200

572.

573. Audrey Hepburn Signed Photograph. Attractive glossy 4 x 5.75 postcard featuring a 1950 Angus McBean photo of a young Audrey Hepburn, signed nicely in blue felt tip. In very fine condition. Starting Bid $200

574. Katharine Hepburn Signed Photograph. Beautiful vintage glossy 8 x 10 photo of Hepburn in profile, draped in flowers, boldly signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “Helen— Katharine Hepburn.” Stamped “Apr. 1934” in the lower border. In very good to fine condition, with short tears and tack hoes to the borders, all of which could easily be matted out. Starting Bid $200

Exquisite full-length signed portrait of the shackled Houdini

577. Harry Houdini Signed Photograph. Fantastic vintage matte-finish 3.25 x 5.25 postcard photo of a shackled Houdini in a full-length pose, signed in fountain pen, “4/18/13, Harry Houdini, Best wishes.” The great, full-length image is captioned with his nickname, “Harry Handcuff Houdini.” In fine condition, with a small stain to the upper left corner tip, and a few letters in the date and salutation very light. Starting Bid $500

Scarce 1913 broadside billing Houdini’s “Water Torture Cell” escape act

575. Harry Houdini ‘Water Torture Cell’ Broadside Poster. Marvelous original 11 x 35 broadside poster for the Bradford Empire Theatre in West Yorkshire, July 20, 1913, featuring Houdini’s act as the top billing: “The World-Famous Self-Liberator! Houdini: Presenting the Greatest Performance of his strenuous career, liberating himself after being Locked in a Water Torture Cell, (Houdini’s own Invention,) whilst standing on his Head, his Ankles Clamped and Locked above in the Centre of the Massive Cover. A Feat which borders on the Supernatural. £200: Houdini offers this sum to anyone proving that it is possible to obtain air in the upside down position in which he releases himself from this Water Filled Torture Cell.” The poster features a vivid color illustration of the escape act, showing Houdini upside down in the tank with a monster securing its lid. Professionally linen-backed and restored to near-fine condition. An absolutely breathtaking magic poster, highlighted by the great illustration of one of Houdini’s famous tricks. Starting Bid $500

576. Harry Houdini Typed Letter Signed on Vanishing

Elephant Trick. Typed letter signed “Houdini,” one page, 5.5 x 6.5, January 6, 1918. Letter to Alfred Becks, in full: “Sorry I have not been able to see you, thought you might have called up and ‘visited’ us. Been working all day and night on my new Vanishing Elephant mystery and think I have a world beater. Open Monday matinee. Call and see me at the Hip. Stage door man will tell you where I am. Generally am in front of Theatre.” In fine condition, with some light edge creasing. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from Beckett Authentication Services.

Houdini first performed the “Vanishing Elephant mystery” on the day after he wrote this letter, January 7th, at the New York Hippodrome. Jenny, a 10,000-pound elephant, was paraded around a huge, brightly painted wooden cabinet. Houdini then announced that Jenny would vanish, walked her into the cabinet, and when the curtains opened, the elephant was gone. The trick confounded all onlookers, including other magicians who knew there was no trap door in the floor of the Hippodrome. Houdini’s friend, Charles Morritt, had first conceived of the trick as a less-impressive ‘vanishing donkey’ mystery. When he described it to Houdini, the legendary illusionist immediately bought the rights and used it with an elephant instead. Starting Bid $300