There’s been a discussion about this question on the Magic Cafe forum and I figure I bring it up here. Here is the question. Why didn’t Hardeen have someone destroy Houdini’s props, etc. after Hardeen died?
My thinking is that the items weren’t Hardeen’s to destroy. The owner of the entire Harry Houdini estate was Bess. What do you think?
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If you have been following HBO”S “Boardwalk Empire” you know Hardeen has been mentioned from time-to-time. Well, last night he made his appearance. The episode will repeat during the weak, so try and catch it.
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These are the notes for Ron Cartlidge’s lecture entitled, “Houdini’s Final Tour To Texas, Do The Dead Speak To the Living?”. This is new information not in Ron’s “Texas Tour” and “Houdini and the Klu Klux Klan” books. The book is 23 single-sided pages with illustrations and is spiral bound. If you like Ron’s previous efforts, I know I do, then you should pick this up. He didn’t print that many, so I wouldn’t wait ordering one for your library. I think I paid $20-$25 for it. You can email Ron for the exact price and postage at texashoudini@msn.com Ron is setting up a new computer and all know what a joy that is, so if he doesn’t answer instantly, please be patient.
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I saw this couple two weeks ago at the New England Magic Collectors Association and they performed a very nice act. Although, for the purist, they used some items not in use at the time. Other than that, it was a very well thought out and performed act. If you have a convention or a Houdini-related show, you may want to consider these two performers.
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So you need a Houdini fix, ha Bunky? Well here it is. It’s a pen with Houdini entering the Chinese Water Torture Cell. It’s similar to the “Girlie” pens from the 1950′s and 1960′s. When you hold it upright and Houdini is above the WTC. When you turn the pen over, Houdini descends into the Cell. Please click on the pens for a better view. It doesn’t get any better than this. Be the first on your block to own one! They’re just $4.95! Here is the link:
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There was some late bidding on this interesting piece of Houdiana that was sold on Ebay today. One of the Houdini regulars even bid $52.26 for the piece. I wonder where he came up with that bid? The piece finally sold for $110.00 delivered. Not bad for a single page from a magazine.
Please take note, that the street and even the town doesn’t exist anymore. They change the names of both, as I remember hearing it, about 10 years after Houdini was there. Still, as I said, this is an interesting piece. If you want to add the image to your files, you should do it now before it goes the way of all flesh.
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Here’s one that will slip under everyone’s radar. This is a six page article on Houdini, using images from the current exhibit at the Jewish Museum in NYC. The name of the magazine is “American History”, the February 2011 issue. The article uses nine images from the exhibit. The overall theme of the article is why Houdini is and was so popular. If you’re one of those Houdini collectors who have to have it all, here’s your chance.
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These two pieces are for sale from me. I only have this pair available. This is the program for the 1923 Society Of American Magicians Annual Dinner. The front cover has a lot going on, at least to me. It depicts Freddie the Pharaoh doing the classic force on a Victor Mature type. The Pharaoh’s underling is about to slap Vic if he picks the wrong card. Behind the Pharaoh are two TSA guards in training. Am I the only one to notice this? Please click on the image.
Your Collection?
Here is the list of the officers of the SAM. – Harry Houdini – Howard Thurston – John Mulholland – Leo Rullman – Francis Werner – Adelaide Herrmann – Dr. Wilson – Bernard Ernst – Horace Goldin – Rosini and Hardeen heading up the Complaint department. I can only imagine how that worked out.
Your Collection?
On the back cover, above, we have some more greats of magic including Houdini, Servais LeRoy, Martinka, Hilliar etc.
Your Collection?
And finally, an unused postcard of the hotel from around the 1920′s. The postcard is in nice condition. The program is a little worn and dirty.
The price for the pair is $75.00 delivered in the USA. $5.00 extra outside of the USA. I accept Paypal, money orders or checks. First email gets the pair. Email first before sending payment. Good Luck!
Did Houdini use this to escape from the Weed Tire Chain Challenge? Probably not, but it is a nice association piece. The item above is a Weed Tire plier that was used with the chains they sold. It is stamped “WEED PAT”D July 29, 1913 50¢”. Please see image below. You can click on the image for a larger view of the item.
Kevin Connolly Collection
The pliers are about 10 inches long and usually can be found with a very nice patina on them. If you would like to add one to your collection(and who wouldn’t? ), they can be found on Ebay for about $10.00 most of the time. I like owning it because ,as mentioned above, it is a nice association piece. It’s also a nice piece just for someone to hold and get the feeling of something solid. Worse comes to worse, you can use it like The Three Stooges would have, and you all know the connection between Harry Houdini and the Stooges by now. Don’t you?
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Here’s a classic image of Houdini about to perform one of his greatest challenges. The challenge was from the Weed Chain Tire Grip Company in April 1908. I have scanned the three page article because it was so interesting. It gives details of the escape from the challenger’s perspective and newspaper accounts. If you look closely at the top and bottom of the article, you can see and read the actual ticker tape that was wired across the country and probably the world. Please click on the images to enlarge for easier reading. I hope you enjoy it.
Kevin Connolly Collection
Kevin Connolly Collection
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The piece finally sold for $110.00 delivered. Not bad for a single page from a magazine.
