The real surprise was a 1925 challenge playbill from Gimbel Bros, which sold for a whopping $8000! Most challenges like this sell in the neighborhood for $400. I have no idea why this challenge went so high. Apart from the recognizable Gimbels name, I see nothing special about it. Maybe two deep-pocketed Gimbels collectors were competing?
Many of the Houdini lots in today’s auction came from the Kevin Connolly collection. As always, congrats to the buyers.