A landmark volume in the history of magic―the first-ever book on Houdini’s legendary personal collection, published on the centennial of his deathHarry Houdini (1874–1926) was not only a great magician but a great collector. Every corner of his townhouse at 278 West 113th Street in New York was filled with books, pamphlets, prints, clippings, playbills, and photographs documenting the history of magic and theatrical performance. “It would cost fully a million dollars to forge the collection of evidence now in my hands,” Houdini wrote in 1908. “These programs, advertisements, newspaper notices, and crude cuts trace the history of magic as no romancer, no historian of a single generation possibly could. They are the ghosts of dead and gone magicians, rising in this century of research and progress to claim the credit due them.”
This handsome oversize volume is published to coincide with a major exhibition at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, where much of Houdini’s library is preserved. It traces the growth of the legendary illusionist’s collections throughout his career and illustrates hundreds of his treasures―many for the first time. They range from a priceless copy of Reginald Scot’s 1584 volume Discovery of Witchcraft, the first book to reveal the secrets of sleight-of-hand; the irreplaceable collection of playbills and programs that Houdini obtained from the British conjuror Henry Evans Evanion; the travel diary of David Garrick, the eighteenth-century actor who defined modern theatre; and much more. Houdini’s Library will be a source of fascination for anyone interested in the history of magic and performance.
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| American Press, October 8, 1973. |
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Moments after the escape, Sky officially announced Dynamo Vs Houdini, a three-part series that sees Dynamo traveling across America, retracing Houdini’s footsteps and honoring his legacy 100 years after his death. Dynamo asks the question: What would Houdini do if he were alive today?
Shirley Jones, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at Sky, says: “We’re so excited to be working with Dynamo on a series that not only celebrates the enduring legacy of Harry Houdini but demonstrates the extraordinary skill, innovation, and jaw-dropping talent that has made him one of the defining magicians of his generation.”
I had the pleasure of filming an interview with Dynamo last week at Roger Dreyer's amazing Houdini Revealed Museum. He told me about this stunt, and I was more than a little anxious about the outcome. I'm thrilled to hear he pulled it off, and I can't wait to see Dynamo Vs Houdini!
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Related:
An Unprecedented Offer from Mike Caveney's Magic Words. Free postage to anywhere in the world.
For a very limited time, we will pay the postage on this book no matter where you live. Postage to foreign countries can reach 70 or 80 dollars per copy but we've got you covered. No more excuses to not own this gorgeous book.See why David Copperfield called it "A Masterpiece." A. Taylor wrote, "Hearing Houdini's voice through his own words is spellbinding, and the production quality is next level. Stunning." J. Notaro wrote, "The book is a thing of beauty and a must have by all. The unbelievable array of rare photographs alone is worth the investment." Click here to read more about this landmark book. Then select domestic shipping and place your order.
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| The Register Guard, Oct 31, 1974. |
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| The Register Guard, Oct 25, 1974. |
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| Press Telegram, June 12, 1976. |
On this week's episode of The AP Strange Show, Houdini historian John Cox joins AP for an in-depth discussion about the legendary magician, escape artist, and arch debunker of Spiritualist phenomena, Harry Houdini.In this conversation, he and AP discuss some of the lesser known history of Houdini in AP's hometown of Worcester, MA, including his last outdoor performance and the mystery surrounding the coffin he used during his "buried alive" performances. From there John talks about what got him into the rabbit hole of Houdini's life, the work he's done to attempt a balance between the legends and facts about the man, and the various projects he's worked on in preserving Houdini's legacy.
You can listen to The AP Strange Show on the official website, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or via the embed below. Enjoy.
