![]() Since Houdini died so soon after The Cancer of Superstition’s start, scholars thought that Lovecraft and Eddy had only completed a small portion of the project. After touching on topics like werewolves and black magic, Lovecraft and Eddy concluded that superstition is an “inborn inclination” that “persists only through mental indolence of those who reject modern science.” Lovecraft teamed up with the writer CM Eddy, who reportedly wrote the chapters of The Cancer of Superstition. Lovecraft made additions and revisions and wrote its synopsis. Lovecraft began ghostwriting works for Houdini, including a lost essay criticizing astrology, before starting on The Cancer of Superstition. ![]() ![]() The tale was based off one of Houdini’s “experiences” in Egypt, and told of the time the famed illusionist supposedly met the god who inspired the ancient Sphinx statue. Houdini’s admiration was triggered by a story Lovecraft had written called Imprisoned with the Pharaohs. However, Houdini was a fan of Lovecraft-a surprising fact, considering that the latter never achieved fame during his lifetime and died a pauper. However, scholars didn’t know whether any more of the work-which was intended to be book-length-existed until now, Fine Books & Collections writes.Īccording to The National, Houdini wasn’t a fan of magic or spiritualism, and regularly used his stunts to unmask charlatans and frauds. A synopsis of the story and one of its chapters, The Genesis of Superstition, was published in the 1966 book The Dark Brotherhood and Other Pieces. When the stuntman died later that year, the project was put on hold. Houdini hired Lovecraft to write The Cancer of Superstition in 1926. Bids start at $13,000, although experts think it might fetch anywhere from $25,000 to $40,000. Now, Potter & Potter Auctions of Chicago will sell the story in an auction of Harry Houdini memorabilia on April 9. After Beatrice’s death, the documents passed from owner to owner until a private buyer recently purchased them, came across the story, and realized its importance. The work was found among the papers of Beatrice Houdini and her manager, Edward Saint.
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