Monday, September 14, 2026

Mario Carrandi passes away at 84

William Rauscher and Mario in 2000.

Sad news in the magic collecting world this week. Mario Carrandi passed away on Friday at age 84. Mario was a major magic collector and dealer, and a true Houdini insider. Dr. Bruce Averbook says, "He was a real force in the collecting world and helped establish Magic items as important, prominent pieces to collect and preserve."

Mario sold me some of my first Houdini collectibles. It was always an exciting day when a catalog from Mario arrived in my mailbox. Even when prices rose beyond my means, Mario's catalogs still offered a great record of what was out there, as did his Facebook Group, The Magiquarian (where Mario shared the above photo). I eventually had the pleasure of meeting Mario in person at the 43rd Magic Collectors Weekend in Chicago in 2012.

Thank you for the gift of your knowledge, Mario. Say hi to Harry for us.
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6 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2026 at 8:40 AM

    Very sorry to learn of Mario's passing...many memories going back to the mid-1970s when I began receiving his amazing catalogs...phone calls and later meeting Mario & Susan at different conventions. Definitely a personality your remember." Mario acknowledged those of use he called, "Houdini nuts" for our mutual focus.
    He definitely did important work in making available memorabilia previously unobtainable or even known to exist.

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    1. John CoxSeptember 14, 2026 at 9:34 AM

      "Houdini Nuts." Did Mario coin that? I've long attributed it to Arthur Moses, but maybe he got it from Mario.

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    2. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM

      I think Arthur Moses is a Houdini nut as clarification

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2026 at 2:12 PM

    Was used by a number of those observing our madness.
    I remember in 1978, Robert Lund was incredulous when I told him Mario was asking/getting $145-175 for a letter or photo signed by Houdini. I asked Robert then how much did he pay for the HH letters he had in his Museum and he replied, "Oh a dollar...maybe a dollar and a half..."

    Diego Domingo

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    1. Leo HeviaSeptember 15, 2026 at 10:26 AM

      I can understand Mr. Lund's reaction. By the time I began to notice Houdini memorabilia in 2000, it was too late. Everything was priced high. I wondered if that was a natural outcome of gradually growing demand for all things Houdini, or a deliberate strategy by antiquarian dealers like Mario to buy low and flip at exorbitant prices. High prices can create cache and desirability, and that translates to more sales to the upper crust who can afford it. The vintage guitar market skyrocketed after George Gruhn stepped into the ring in the 1970s. Before Mario reached the finish line he jettisoned his Houdini collection and bought a red Lamborghini.

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  3. AnonymousSeptember 15, 2026 at 11:57 AM

    Dammit that sucks…. Mario was the best..
    I remember his black Porsche, he loved it. I got to meet him in his Fort Myers home and we had a private auction as well as some private fun.
    He used to tell me never again after that night, as my collection grew substantially that night so did his bank account.
    I sure hope we meet again my brother.
    RIP

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