First up is Houdini Unlocked: The Master Magician as Marketing King by Brian J. Robb, released today in the UK. (The U.S. release will be in July of next year.) Below are the details.
Houdini was quick to grasp the concept of ‘entertainer as brand’, where fame was an aim in itself. When others stole his act, he published a book of his ‘handcuff secrets’ and quickly moved on to more extravagant escapes. He arranged many escapes with local merchants in the towns he visited on tour, in early mass tie-in marketing, and set up challenges with newspapers.
This new study, timed for the centenary of his death, explores his unique life and position as both escapologist and marketing extraordinaire.
Purchase Houdini Unlocked: The Master Magician as Marketing King at Amazon.co.uk or pre-order at Amazon.com.
Next, our good friend Dean Carnegie, The Magic Detective, has just released The Houdini Coloring Book: 100th Centennial 1926-2026.
One hundred years after Harry Houdini made his final exit on Halloween 1926, the world's most famous escape artist still holds us spellbound.
This centennial coloring book brings Houdini's legend back to life in 24 detailed coloring pages: The King of Cards, Metamorphosis, The Handcuff King, daring jail breaks and bridge jumps, the Milk Can and the Double Fold Death Defying Mystery, his historic flight in Australia, The Water Torture Cell, the Overboard Packing Case, the Straitjacket Escape, The Vanishing Elephant, his silent film thrillers, and his crusade against fake spirit mediums.
Each of the 18 history plates is paired with a short note from magician and Houdini historian Dean Carnegie, creator of The Magic Detective.
Purchase The Houdini Coloring Book: 100th Centennial 1926-2026 on Amazon.
Finally, we have Trudy Monti's latest, Houdini & Me 2026 Chronicles, an expansion of her January release, Houdini & Me 2026.
Step into the captivating world of Harry Houdini, one of history’s most iconic figures, through the insightful pages of the Houdini & Me 2026 Chronicles. The Houdini & Me 2026 journal captures the daily events of Houdini’s extraordinary life in concise entries that hint at the richness of the stories behind them.
In the companion to the journal, Houdini & Me 2026 Chronicles, with over 400 articles chronicling his incredible journey - from The Brothers Houdini to the dazzling solo acts of his later years - readers can witness the evolution of Houdini’s breathtaking performances, including the Metamorphosis, the Milk Can Escape, and the daring Chinese Water Torture Cell.
Beyond the stage, delve into the personal choices that shaped his incredible legacy: a new name, an adjusted birthdate, and a reimagined birthplace. Each day offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a master magician, inviting you to truly know the man behind the myth.
Purchase Houdini & Me 2026 Chronicles at Amazon.
Feast now! Because if my own book lands in December as anticipated, I don't know of any new releases for 2027.
🔓🗝️⛓️🔓🗝️⛓️🔓🗝️⛓️
ReplyDeleteWell next year may be the time to buy them all, except yours of course which I’ll be being a few..
ReplyDeleteOn another note the big auction on Halloween nothing really grabs me I figured with Connolly‘s collection coming forth there be some crazy thing that would blow our mind, especially on the hundredth but it looks so hummed to me
There are some standout items for sure, but I confess I'm a bit underwhelmed as well. There are things that I knew were in Kevin's collection that I don't see here.
DeleteHey John, THANK YOU for promoting my Coloring Book. I think folks will get a kick out of it, something fun to do. Plus the cheapest, price wise, of all the books coming out, lol. I likely will have an actual book coming out in 2027. I knew I couldn't finish it in time for Oct 31, so I am waiting till next year. OH, and let me know if/when you want to do an interview for my podcast!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Dean. Intrigued by that 2027 book... Would love to do a podcast interview! Thanks. But maybe we should wait until my book is out so you'll have seen it.
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