Houdini book to be auctioned off

The book up for auction has been signed by Houdini

A book which escapologist Harry Houdini gave to a shopkeeper after the man hid him from a mob of fans is to be sold.

The Hungarian-born artist had stunned a London crowd in 1908 by breaking free from a set of police manacles, but needed help to escape his own fans.

He hid in bookseller John Salkeld's warehouse until dawn and inscribed a copy of his book in gratitude.

It is expected to fetch up to £3,000 when it goes under the hammer at Bonhams Auctioneers in Bath.

Houdini presented Eliza and John Salkeld with a copy of his book The Unmasking of Robert Houdini inscribed: "With compliments of the author, Harry Houdini".

The magician was a regular visitor to the Salkelds' rare book shop in Clapham Road and was a keen collector of playbills.

Houdini was born Ehrich Weiss in Budapest but grew up in the US and became world-famous for his escapes, before dying in 1926 aged 52.

Gill Atkins, Bonhams' book specialist, said: "Houdini memorabilia is very much sought after the world over."