Potter & Potter Houdiniana head scratcher

Yesterday was Potter & Potter's latest auction of "Houdiniana and Magic Memorabilia." As always, some real gems were passed on to some lucky buyers. Among these were a copy of Houdini's Paper Magic, lovingly inscribed by Houdini to Bess ($31,200), candid Bess photographs and memorabilia from her family, a Buried Alive poster ($9,600), and some nice Ian McColl handcuff reproductions, including the Mirror Handcuffs ($10,200).

But the lot that made my head spin was this packing case challenge from Koch & Co., which sold for a whopping $19,200 (including buyer's premium). This was actually the third-highest-selling lot of the entire auction. But I have NO idea why this went so high. To my eye, this is a standard Houdini challenge handbill. It isn't particularly rare, nor was this a historic challenge. Baffling.

I have noticed Houdini challenges from New York-based department stores have been going higher than one would expect lately. So maybe New York department stores are the focus of two competing collectors, and Koch & Co. was yesterday's prize?

In case you are wondering, H.C.F. Koch & Co. was a Harlem-based department store located on 125th Street between Lenox and 7th Avenues. Houdini took on this challenge at Keith & Proctor's 125th Street Theatre on April 12, 1907.

Koch & Co. closed in 1930, but the building still stands today, which is pretty cool.

Congratulations to all the sellers and buyers at yesterday's auction. We love Potter & Potter!

Related:

• Guest Blog: The Replica Mirror Cuffs
• The Challenge Packing Case escape