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On public view for the first time, as part of the seance paraphernalia, will be Houdini's famous "Mirror Handcuffs." Prized by Houdini while he lived, since his death, they have been a part of a private collection held by a niece of Houdini's in New Jersey. The sterling silver handcuffs are engraved:
"Presented to Harry Houdini, The Handcuff King, by the Daily Illustrated Mirror, London, as a memento of his success in escaping from the celebrated Mirror Handcuffs, March 17, 1904."
The article says these are the engraved silver replicas. I don't know whether the working cuffs came at the same time, but I know the museum had both when I saw them on display in 1990. Today, both are in David Copperfield's International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts in Las Vegas.
I'm actually more intrigued by the pouch holding the handcuffs and a photo from the challenge with what may be Houdini's handwriting. Does this pouch date back to Houdini? Is it still around today?
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Nice find! The pouch has a zipper, and although the zipper was invented in 1913, they didn't become widespread until the 1930s. So I think that zippered pouch is 1970s.
ReplyDeleteGood observation.
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DeleteGreat find! And that photo is of the working cuffs now in David Copperfield's Collection.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I believe the working cuffs and the Solid Silver Replica came to the Niagara Museum at the same time. According to Handcuffs.org: In October 1975, a niece of Houdini, sent a letter to The Daily Mirror, to see if they were interested in the cuffs, but the price was to high, so they were auctioned off in the USA and the University of Texas and the Niagara Museum plus professional magicians were interested.
DeleteHandcuffs.org has gone to the Dogs! I miss the gallery and houdini page. Joe do you still have access to the site?
DeleteI printed out related posts years ago for my research on the Mirror Cuffs. But it is available via Tapatalk. Joe
DeleteWas that how DC obtained both cuffs? Auction? I thought he bought them directly from the Hinsons.
DeleteHenry got them from the family (this is the delivery day). Not sure if it was an auction or he bought them direct. DC got them from Henry. That's my understanding.
DeleteWho's Henry?
DeleteNever mind. Henry Muller.
DeleteAgree great find! The handwriting "March 17 1904" the date of the challenge certainly could be Houdini's. It appears there's is something under the photo with more writing on it. Maybe another photo.
ReplyDeleteI've added the relevant paragraph from the article. It's otherwise mostly about the seance.
ReplyDelete