Houdini, Harry. Houdini lettergram to Clinton Burgess, signed. Dated August 21, 1923, Houdini instructs Burgess to present himself at the Palace Theatre building at Martin Beck’s office, in preparation for a performance. Edges a bit ragged, one tiny hole, scrapbook remnants on verso. Signed in pencil, “Houdini.” Burgess was a noted children’s entertainer based in New York and a collector of magic books and ephemera. His notes on the lettergram, written in pencil, tell more of the story: “This in regard to a “small affair” (which I learned later was a drunken smoker! I did not appear. B. H even suggested I bring my wife. I never entertain at “smokers.” B.”