Jan. 19, 2007--When the magician Harry Houdini arrived in a new town he dared police to try and restrain him. Houdini claimed he could free himself from any handcuffs and was ready and willing to prove it.
It was this Challenge Act that made Houdini a legend.
Known worldwide for freeing himself from everything from chains, handcuffs, and straitjackets to coffins, packing crates, leg irons, milk cans and torture racks, Houdini was delighted when police took him up on his offer.
That’s what happened in the Amsterdam Holland Prison in 1902. Handcuffed and leg-ironed, it took Houdini all of 5 minutes to break out and free himself from his cell.
Publicity posters, like the full-figure manacled Houdini escaping from Holland Prison always followed. Self-promotion was Houdini’s forte.
No prison doors stopped him. Houdini was the handcuff king. In fact, he got so good he began to offer rewards to anyone who could successfully restrain him.
Usually Houdini’s escape act was well received. But, by 1904, he needed to make changes in his act because of repeated attempts by police to ruin his routine and reputation by secretly jamming the handcuffs.
No question about it, artifacts from the most famous magician of all time gets bidders waving their paddles.
Houdini’s vintage publicity posters are highly sought after among magic collectors. The demand for Houdini memorabilia has also given rise to fakes and forgeries.
Collectors are especially cautious when it comes to his handcuffs and straitjackets. Without a solid provenance, most buyers keep on walking.
On Oct. 26, Swann Auction Galleries, New York, featured The Christian Fechner Collection of American and English Magic, Part II, at its annual magic auction.
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