Thursday, May 21, 2026
LINK: HHCE highlights from Magic Collector Expo
Our friend Joe Notaro has a full report on this year's Magic Collector Expo, with all the Houdini highlights. Click the headline or the image below to have a read of Harry Houdini Circumstantial Evidence.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Fred Pittella's Houdini key bookmark and lapel pin
Our friend and collector, Fred Pittella, has released two new pieces of Houdini merchandise memorabilia. The first is a high-quality bookmark with a replica Bean Giant Handcuff Key. "So your next page doesn't escape you!" says Fred. A mini trading card also comes loose in the package. With so many new Houdini books this year, a good bookmark is a must!
The price of the bookmark is $40 plus $14 shipping. The lapel pin is $25. You can get them by contacting Fred at fredpstuff@aol.com.
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Next is a high-quality lapel pin depicting the Handcuff King in his prime. This is a beauty, and is going to be my new go-to lapel pin. Especially as it captures Houdini in his Handcuff King days.
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Monday, May 18, 2026
How about a review?
Copies are still available from Mike Caveney's Magic Words, but if you still want to buy a signed or discounted edition from me, let me know by clicking the "Notify when back in stock" button on the product page. If I get enough interest, I will restock.
I've also now added the ability to write a REVIEW. So if you've purchased the book from me (or from anywhere) and want to share your thoughts, just click the "Write a review" button on the product page. As an incentive, I will randomly select one of the first ten reviewers and send them a promo postcard for my upcoming book, Handcuff King: The Conquests of Harry Houdini, 1900-1909.
All this is about me getting ready for that next book, so I appreciate everyone's help in getting the store up and running.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
'A Strenuous Career' available now from 1878 Press
The centenary books keep coming! David Haversat has announced the publication of A Strenuous Career: The Personal Challenge and Advertisement Scrapbook of Harry Houdini. Below are details.
For the first time in history, A Strenuous Career: The Personal Challenge and Advertisement Scrapbook of Harry Houdini places in your hands a breathtaking, full-color facsimile of one of the most significant artifacts from the life of the world’s greatest escape artist. This is the amongst the largest and most important scrapbooks personally complied by Harry Houdini! Every page is reproduced directly from Houdini’s own working scrapbook—exactly as he assembled it—preserving the energy, ambition, and relentless drive that defined the man.Meticulously reproduced from the original scrapbook—courtesy of Dr. Bruce J. Averbook’s extraordinary historic archive in The Averbook Magic Art Museum and Library—this volume features over 160 premium, large-format color pages, presented in a luxurious 9" x 12" hardbound edition with an elegant slipcase. Every detail has been preserved to immerse you fully in Houdini’s world.
This is not simply a book—it is a rare artifact, a conversation piece, a centerpiece for any serious collector of magic or history enthusiast.
The book is available exclusively from David Haversat's 1878 Press Co. The print run is only 300, and many were sold at this week's Magic Collectors' Expo. So if you want this, I wouldn't delay!
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Friday, May 15, 2026
The Truth About Houdini on its 5oth
I've already talked about how I was bitten by the Houdini bug in late 1975 after the one-two punch of seeing Houdini (1953) and Doug Henning's first magic special. As we entered 1976, I was officially "into" Houdini and started searching for more. That's when the universe seemed to conspire to turn me into a Houdini fanatic by feeding me a steady stream of new Houdini gems. One of those was the first American airing of the 1970 BBC documentary, The Truth About Houdini, 50 years ago today, on May 15, 1976.
This introduced me to a larger Houdini world. Not only was I able to see film footage of the real Houdini in action, but I was also able to see the giants of Houdini's world at that time: Walter B. Gibson, Milbourne Christopher, James Randi, and Sidney Radner.
I have done many posts about this important documentary, which you can revisit via the related links. If you've never seen it, you can give it a watch below. It will always be my favorite Houdini documentary, and an important part of my Houdini awakening.
Want more? You can view a cut scene from the documentary as a member of my Patreon.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Bruce Averbook to receive 2026 Milbourne Christopher Award
Last year, Bruce allowed the publication of Houdini's first travel diary from his collection. The result is Escaping Obscurity: The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini, 1897-1899. He's about to do it again with Houdini's original challenge scrapbook, which will be published next week by David Haversat's 1878 Press as A Strenuous Career: The Personal Challenge and Advertisement Scrapbook of Harry Houdini.
Another friend of our blog, Scott Wells of the popular The Magic Word Podcast, is also being honored this year with the Ambassador of Magic Award.
Congratulations to Bruce, Scott, and all the recipients this year.
The Milbourne Christopher Foundation was established by Maurine Christopher in 1989, and was created to perpetuate the memory of her husband and his lifelong interest in encouraging excellence, originality, and leadership in the art of magic.
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Monday, May 11, 2026
The Grim Game will screen in New York, May 15
Houdini's best silent film, The Grim Game (1919), will screen this Friday, May 15 at 6:30 PM, at the New York Public Library's Bruno Walter Auditorium. The screening will include live piano accompaniment by Makia Matsumura and be followed by a discussion with Dorothy Dietrich. This is part of the programming for the New York Public Library's ongoing "Mystery & Wonder: a Legacy of Golden Age Magicians" exhibition.
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| Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library |
The year 2026 marks the centennial of legendary escapologist and magician Harry Houdini’s death. In recognition of his amazing life and the Library for the Performing Arts’ current exhibition Mystery & Wonder: a Legacy of Golden Age Magicians in New York, we will screen his 1919 silent film The Grim Game with live piano accompaniment by Makia Matsumura. Houdini plays an intrepid young journalist framed for murder after falling in love with a winsome ingénue played by Ann Forrest. Chases, dramatic escapes, and a real mid-air plane crash are only part of the fun. Following the screening, Dorothy Dietrich, magician and co-founder of the Houdini Museum, and magician and historian Richard Cohn will discuss the making of the film, its re-discovery and restoration, and Houdini’s legacy today.
Curiously, the film is advertised as being screened on 16mm film. The only 16mm print of The Grim Game I'm aware of is the original that was owned by Larry Weeks. I doubt this could be that print. So, at some point, a 16mm print must have been struck from the digital TCM restoration, or this could be a mistake, and this is the DCP. I suspect the latter.
Either way, The Grim Game hasn't been screened in a few years, and it is really fun to watch with an audience, so this is a must-see screening!
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Pateron double reward in May
Every month, I offer my patrons a special reward as thanks for their support. This month, I'm offering a double reward. The first is the Third Quarter 1993 Mystifier newsletter as a searchable PDF. It's an interesting issue with an insightful article on Houdini's physical fitness routines by Zen Karate author Randall Bassett, the first printed interview with Houdini's assistant Dorothy Young, and even Houdini's horoscope! In addition, I'm offering a PDF of the 1994 Museum Catalog from the Houdini Historical Center. You see all the goodies one could get at the time.
As a reminder, on my Patreon, I offer exclusive content not found on this blog, including material from archives and private collections, as well as my latest historical findings. For example, I recently shared a translation from a 1901 Dutch newspaper interview in which Houdini offers details about his time as a locksmith's apprentice that I've never read before. But do we believe it? This one has sparked a lot of conversation in the comments.
As a patron, you will also receive thanks in my upcoming book, Handcuff King: The Conquests of Harry Houdini, 1900-1909, a special preview of that book, and an exclusive pre-order opportunity. That's all coming later this year. Oh, and you'll also be supporting all my Houdini work, which is the point of Patreon: supporting creators.
So if you are wild about Harry, joining my Patreon is a pretty good idea this year. And what better time than during a month with a double reward? So come hang with us!
Friday, May 8, 2026
Houdini concludes his first "3 Shows in One" tour
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| Harrisburg Telegraph, May 8, 1926. |
This piece also provides some clues about what Houdini's 1926-27 tour would have looked like. It says he is booked in Harrisburg for a February 1927 return, and that the tour itself is already booked through March. Of course, this was never to be. Houdini died two months into his second tour on Halloween 1926.
Built in 1908, the Majestic stood at 323 Walnut Street in Harrisburg. In 1936, it was converted to a movie theater and was renamed the Rio. It closed on October 25, 1954, and was razed in March 1955. Today, Strawberry Square occupies the site.
Want more? Click below to view an original poster from this brief but historically significant 3-day engagement in Harrisburg from Mike Caveney's Egyptian Hall Museum.
Houdini Historia De Una Muerte in Valencia, Spain
A new play, Houdini Historia De Una Muerte (Houdini: Story of a Death), opens tomorrow, May 9, at the Flumen Theatre in Valencia, Spain, and plays through May 17, 2026.
Harry Houdini defied everything: chains, prisons, water, and even logic.In this show, Houdini presents himself to the public in what appears to be his final confession. A fascinating journey through his life, his achievements, and the mystery he himself cultivated around his persona.
With more than ten artists on stage, " Houdini, Story of a Death " combines theater, magic, escapism, dance and a disturbing live séance.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit the official website.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
EXPOSING HOUDINI now shipping!
Here's a reminder of what this book is all about:
Click the top related link below to see more 2026 Houdini book releases. It's a big year!
Exposing Houdini contains a cache of previously unknown Houdini glass plate images. Now, one hundred years after his death, you can see these unique, iconic, and unpublished images, which are complimented with contemporaneous articles of the events and rarely seen artwork of the Handcuff King. This is a limited offer. Don't miss your chance to see Houdini as you've never seen him before. Order your Exposing Houdini today.Save some shelf space for this oversized, 10" x 10" coffee table book. It is a hard case book with printed end sheets. The interior consists of 164 pages of 100 lb premium paper that reveal the rarest of the rare Houdini images. Many of which have never been in print.
I'm excited to already have a copy of the book. I'm blown away by these crystal-clear images of Houdini during his halcyon "Handcuff King" days. In fact, I spotted something in the uncropped images of Houdini and his Milk Can in Atlantic City in 1908 that offers a new insight. Can you spot it? Get the book and let me know!
Purchase Exposing Houdini: 52 Lost Glass Plate Images by Charles Greene III at ioniasecrets.com.
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Photos from David Haig’s MAGIC
Here is a collection of photos from David Haig’s Magic, which is currently playing at the Chichester Festival Theatre until May 16, 2026. The play features Haig as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Hadley Fraser as Houdini, and Jenna Augen as Bess.
You can see more images and buy tickets to Magic at the Chichester Festival Theatre website.
Sunday, May 3, 2026
David Copperfield concludes his 25-year MGM run
As I revealed here, my upcoming book, Handcuff King: The Conquests of Harry Houdini, 1900-1909, will be an official presentation of David Copperfield's International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts. It's still a few months away (I feel like it wants to be October), but maybe we can think of this as the first post-MGM David Copperfield production? I know I'm working hard to make it worthy of the Copperfield name. A Houdini book that will put Doug Henning's to shame! Haha.
Congratulations to David and his team on a remarkable run. You beat Houdini's record by 24 years and 7 months!
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Saturday, May 2, 2026
Adventures in AI
However, there are tasks that AI is pretty darn good at, such as translation. My ability to quickly and easily translate German, Russian, French, and Dutch Houdini posters and newspaper articles has unlocked new information about Houdini's performances in these countries. It's a game-changer that has gone a long way in helping me solve the Germany problem, and has greatly benefited my book.
However, things get trickier when it comes to using AI for research. While it's very good at very specific tasks – such as finding a street address for a long-gone circus building in 1901 – it's not good at deep Houdini research. Its knowledge of Houdini is basic and largely inaccurate. Also, as I recently discovered, it will lie. Not "hallucinate." That's a word people use, but I think it's too polite. AI will deliberately lie and even fabricate evidence for that lie. I know because it happened to me.
I spelled out my experience for my patrons below and have also provided the entire chat between Gemini and me. I think you will be as shocked as I was. There's also a good discussion in the comments.
Ironically, here's what AI has to say about using AI for research:
AI can be extremely useful for mechanical and organizational tasks in historical work. It is much more dangerous when used as an unverified “research assistant,” because AI systems can invent facts, citations, quotations, dates, and even nonexistent books or newspapers.
It's a wild new world! Be careful out there.
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