You can get details on Handcuff King: The Conquests of Harry Houdini, 1900–1909 at Wild About Harry PRESS.
Showing posts with label David Copperfield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Copperfield. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
PATREON: Book update and Thor's arm
Every day brings Handcuff King: The Conquests of Harry Houdini, 1900–1909 closer to being in your hands. I wrote a new introduction this weekend, and David Copperfield sent me a fantastic photo for his Foreword that I've never seen before. Maybe the first time published? I'm now in the final stages of production and still on track for a late 2026 release. I've shared the latest update on my Patreon below.
If you're new to my Patreon, you can read all my book updates below, including the reports from my trip to "the mountaintop" last year. It's been fun to share this journey with my patrons, whose support is helping make it happen!
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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Monday, April 13, 2026
Sid Krofft passes away
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| Sid Krofft in David Copperfield's museum. |
In an odd way, Sid & Marty Krofft played a role in my own Houdini awakening. If you're curious about that, check out the 2017 post by clicking the image below.
RIP, Mr. Krofft.
Friday, March 6, 2026
David Copperfield ending his MGM show on April 30
Big news in the magic world. David Copperfield has announced that he will be closing his MGM show on April 30, 2026. Below is the announcement on David's Instagram.
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If you've never seen David Copperfield live or have not seen his show recently, this is the time to get out to Las Vegas and see him at the MGM. Eight weeks. We're living a moment of magic history here!
I can't wait to see what's next for David. "The largest project I've ever tackled." Is he talking about his Moon illusion, or a Houdini book?
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Monday, February 9, 2026
David Copperfield's Shark Tank shoot
History By Mail recently returned to the television show Shark Tank, and part of that episode featured a tour of David Copperfield's International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts. Below is a terrific behind-the-scenes clip from the History By Mail Instagram.
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Dive into Shark Tank, January 28
Ari Siegel of History By Mail has posted the following on his site:
On Wednesday, January 28 at 10pm ET/PT on ABC, History By Mail will be featured in a Shark Tank update segment. If you have followed our journey for any amount of time, you know this is a milestone we do not take lightly.This update is a look at what has happened since our original appearance. It highlights how the company has grown, where we are today, and what we are building next. It is also a moment to step back and appreciate something that is easy to forget when you are busy running the day to day. None of this happened in a vacuum. It happened because thousands of curious people chose to support an unusual idea and keep showing up for history.There is also a special celebrity cameo in the segment, and it is one you will not want to miss.
Who could this celebrity be? Well, if Ari isn't saying, then I won't either. But considering History By Mail's latest Houdini-themed offering, you may be able to guess.🗽
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
The Dream Big Folio: Houdini’s Illusion That Inspired David Copperfield
Here's a nice holiday gift idea. "The Dream Big Folio: Houdini’s Illusion That Inspired David Copperfield" is a new release by History By Mail. Below is a photo and details.
Step into the moment that redefined what humans believe is possible.Dream Big Folio – Houdini’s Illusion That Inspired David Copperfield brings you inside the legendary 1918 Vanishing Elephant performance at the New York Hippodrome—an act so audacious it later inspired a young David Copperfield to imagine making the moon disappear.
This folio is built around one extraordinary centerpiece: a replica of Houdini’s original letter to Harry Kellar, preserved exclusively in David Copperfield’s International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts, the world’s largest private collection of magic memorabilia. Kellar, widely known as the “Dean of American Magicians,” was the most celebrated magician in the United States before Houdini and one of Houdini’s early heroes and mentors. The original letter resides only in Copperfield’s museum.
Everything in the folio is designed to give you the same spark Copperfield describes in his letter—the spark that later helped fuel some of the most iconic illusions in modern history.
You can purchase "The Dream Big Folio: Houdini’s Illusion That Inspired David Copperfield" at the History By Mail website.
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Sunday, November 16, 2025
ANNOUNCEMENT: I'M DONE WITH HOUDINI!
Fifty years later, I'm here to tell you that I'm DONE. Yes, I learned everything about Houdini! Now it's time to get it out of my head and into your hands.
I'm therefore thrilled to announce THE ULTIMATE HOUDINI CHRONOLOGY, a three-volume set of books in which I will follow Houdini through every engagement he ever played, every escape he ever performed, and every significant moment of his life. If you enjoyed Escaping Obscurity: The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini 1897-1899, know that was just an appetizer for the multi-course meal I'm cooking up now!
But wait, it gets better.
These books will be official presentations of David Copperfield's International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts. As such, David has given me carte blanche to use anything in his collection to realize my dream of creating the most complete and accurate account of Houdini's life and career ever published. This, combined with material from several other major collections, has enabled me to gather a truly mind-bending amount of unseen Houdini images to bring the text to life.
The good news is that this is not some far-off future project. The first volume, which covers the years 1900-1909, is largely complete and will be released in 2026. It runs 600 pages and is packed with new information and more photos than I can count. I'm designing the book myself and working hard to make it the Houdini book of my dreams. I think it will be the Houdini book of your dreams as well.
My plan is to publish these books as limited edition hardcovers under my own imprint, Wild About Harry PRESS. I will soon be launching a new retail website where you can buy the books directly from me. I'm talking to Mike Caveney about offering a Deluxe Edition, because no one does Deluxe Editions like Mike!
Watch this blog and my Patreon in the coming months for more details. I'm excited about launching this new era and completing what I set out to accomplish fifty years ago today. Because I'm still wild about Harry! And so are you.
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Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Eric Colleary brings 'Houdini's Library' to Boston
Before Eric's address, members enjoyed a special Houdini-themed dinner, with Chicken Paprikash as the main course, of course! Bread pudding with Houdini's favorite cherries was for dessert.
What made this talk extra special is that Houdini himself addressed The Club of Odd Volumes on the topic of his library in 1922. Eric recently uncovered some interesting material related to that talk at David Copperfield's International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts in Las Vegas and shared it with club members for the first time.
For more details on Houdini's Library, visit the Harry Ransom Center website. You can also pre-order Eric's book Houdini's Library: Inside the Spellbinding Collections of the Great Illusionist at Amazon.com and Amazom.co.uk.
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Related:
- Houdini’s Library coming to the HRC in Fall 2026
- Houdini’s Library will also be a book!
- Mission Colleary (Patreon exclusive)
Monday, October 27, 2025
The auction that launched a thousand blog posts
It was 20 years ago today that a rare Terror Island poster sold for $12,650 during Swann Galleries' auction of The Christian Fechner Collection of American & English Magic, Part I. Why am I reporting on such old news? It's because this auction ad started this website.
I had never seen this poster. Very few people had. So when I saw this ad in a Swann newsletter, I thought, "Wouldn't it be great if there were someplace that tracked all Houdini activity like this?" Instead of waiting for that to happen, I started doing it myself. First, a small electronic newsletter (2 issues), then a website www.houdini-lives.com, which ran for 5 years, and then WILD ABOUT HARRY, which will turn 15 on November 10th.
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| 2005 |
I had never seen this poster. Very few people had. So when I saw this ad in a Swann newsletter, I thought, "Wouldn't it be great if there were someplace that tracked all Houdini activity like this?" Instead of waiting for that to happen, I started doing it myself. First, a small electronic newsletter (2 issues), then a website www.houdini-lives.com, which ran for 5 years, and then WILD ABOUT HARRY, which will turn 15 on November 10th.
Today, this poster hangs in David Copperfield's incredible International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts in Las Vegas. Ironically, I'm able to be in the same room with it precisely because it inspired me to start a blog. So whenever I see it there, a part of me remembers that day in 2005.
Monday, May 12, 2025
LINK: HHCE highlights from Magic Collector Expo
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Cover reveal! Escaping Obscurity: The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini, 1897-1899
Today, I'm excited to reveal the final cover of Escaping Obscurity: The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini, 1897-1899, which will be published by Mike Caveney's Magic Words. The talented Michael Albright designed the cover and book.
The book will be sold exclusively by Mike Caveney's Magic Words. The release date and price have yet to be determined. The hope is to have the book available in time for MAGIC Live in August, although it could be much sooner. I will give my Patreon supporters an early heads-up when the purchase link goes live. We expect the special edition to sell out fast!
The book runs 376 pages and contains over 200 images. Every page of Houdini's first diary from the collection of Dr. Bruce Averbook is reproduced, along with material from several other major magic collections, including the David Copperfield collection. I have annotated the entire diary so you can follow the remarkable story of Houdini's early career toiling in dime museums, circuses, medicine shows, and even seance chambers. The book contains a wealth of new information and tells the story of Houdini's early career like no other.
Attendees at this week's Magic Collector Expo in Las Vegas got a first look at the book. Below is a pic of publisher Mike Caveney with the unbound proof edition and some reactions below.
David Charvet: I shared a dealer booth with Mike at the Expo and was able to look at the proof copy of the book closely. In a word: SPECTACULAR.
Patrick Daniel: It is absolutely amazing!!!! I cannot wait to get a copy.
Lance Rich: It's verrry cool. I haven't checked it out in depth.... but the slipcase and design are beautiful.
Joe Notaro: It's truly amazing! Can't wait for it to come out!!
Want more? I've shared the evolution of this cover design with some early concepts on my Patreon.
Thanks to Charles Greene III for the convention photo.
UPDATE: Escaping Obscurity: The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini 1897-1899 is now available exclusively from Mike Caveney's Magic Words.
Monday, May 5, 2025
Houdini diary book in the wild!
I'm not at the expo this year, so attendees will be seeing the book before I do. Let me know what you think! I'll reveal the final cover here on Thursday.
This year's expo includes a tour of David Copperfield's International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts. David was very kind in allowing us to use several rarities from his Houdini collection in Escaping Obscurity.
Monday, July 1, 2024
Guest Blog: Houdini's mysterious safe
Today, I'm happy to share a guest blog from our friend Johan Ahlberg in Sweden about Houdini and his safes. Take it away, Johan!
HOUDINI'S mysterious SAFE
By Johan Ahlberg
Harry Houdini had a great mechanical interest in complicated locks and safes. On his tour in Germany, he saw several safes and strongboxes that not only had complicated locks but also secret mechanisms to even find the keyhole. Some safes had combination locks, where secret levers needed to be operated in a secret manner to open the lock.
Houdini claimed he was challenged by a judge to open a big safe, which was kept in the judge's chamber with a combination lock, when he sued the German police for slander in Cologne, Germany.
The French magician Robert-Houdin made a desk with secret compartments. For extra security, there was a complicated lock in which you had to put your finger in a hole and touch a secret lever to open the lock. If you did it in the wrong way, a razor-sharp knife with a strong spring was activated, and the finger was cut off immediately. It was so the thief could easily be identified.
On December 4th, 1908, at the Euston Palace in England, Houdini was challenged to escape from a monster safe.
The safe was brought on stage. Houdini was searched and locked inside. He escaped in just 14 minutes, leaving the safe still secure and locked.
The terror of being locked up inside an airtight safe must have thrilled the audience. Houdini had planned the escape in detail, and it was probably one of Houdini's easiest escapes. But anything could have gone wrong; it took Houdini's nerves of steel to pull it off. If Houdini had fainted inside the safe or the lock mechanism had interlocked, it could have ended in disaster, like it did for Genesta when he tried to copy Houdini's milk can escape.
James Randi escaped in a TV show from a safe that was shown to be empty and locked. Suddenly, the combination dial started to spin. The door flew open, and out jumped Randi. The safe was so incredibly small that it seemed to be impossible for a human being to be inside. David Copperfield was handcuffed and locked in a safe with a combination lock. A chain was wrapped around the safe and padlocked. The clock started ticking, the combination dial started to rotate, and suddenly, a blast, the building was blown up, and everything was buried. David emerged on a table outside unharmed, smiling mysteriously. The effect was stunning, but Houdini was the first escape artist to escape from a borrowed safe under test conditions.
Houdini told a story in which he visited his lawyer in New York he was left alone with the lawyer's safe. He managed to manipulate the combination lock and his lawyer was dumfounded. Houdini claimed he had a micro meter in a watch that could register the small movements of the tumblers. To manipulate a combination lock can take hours or days to open even for a expert locksmith.
There was a rumor about a safe or a vault in Houdini's house. I once asked Marie Blood, Houdini's niece and the last link to Houdini's home, if she ever saw or heard anything about a vault? She said no! She never went down in the cellar. After Houdinis death there was another story about a safe that Bess couldn’t open. A locksmith, Charles Courtney, was called in an after working for hours on the combination lock it wouldn’t open. When Courtney asked Bess how Houdini opened the safe she said he just waved his hand over the lock and it opened like magic. Courtney bought a strong magnet and the lock opened or so he claimed.
The problem with that story is that a magnet can’t operate a lever through the safe's thick steel plates. In the safe, there were several love letters from women written to Houdini and the silver Mirror handcuffs. However, it’s a fantastic story.
Houdini's safe that Courtney claimed he opened with a magnet. The safe has the text “HOUDINI” on top. The Mirror handcuffs were stored inside.
An article in the Swedish newspaper KvP in 1974 described how Houdini had left a locked safe with his attorney in New York that contained his secrets. The safe was to be opened on Houdini's 100th birthday. With the press present, the safe was opened, but it was empty!
I bet Houdini was laughing in his heaven.
Thank you, Johan.
If you'd like to share your own Guest Blog here on WILD ABOUT HARRY, feel free to get in touch and let's talk about what you have in mind. I know there's a lot of untapped Houdini wisdom out there!
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Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Houdini's Russian pitchbook has a new home
To my knowledge, there are only two Russian pitchbooks in existence. The other is in David Copperfield's International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts in Las Vegas.
Congratulations David!
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Tuesday, August 29, 2023
The Mama message has returned!
As detailed in this post, the Doyles believed Houdini had been wholly convinced by the message. But Houdini was troubled by the lack of specifics and that the pages were written in English. He and his mother only communicated in German. He eventually told the Doyles that he did not believe the message had come from his mother.
I now think it's possible these pages passed from Bernard Ernst to magician and collector John Mulholland. David Copperfield acquired the Mulholland Collection in 1991, which seeded the magnificent museum he has today. So Mama has been home the entire time!
Thanks to Bruce Averbook for making this find and David Copperfield for allowing me to share. You can watch video of the discovery on my Patreon.
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Thursday, August 10, 2023
Hungry for an unseen Houdini image?
I've shared to Patreon today a photo of Houdini like you've never seen him before. Click below and gobble it up!
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Accident at the Hippodrome
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| The New York Sun, April 19, 1918. |
The day after the accident, Houdini wrote to Harry Kellar describing what he saw and also the panic backstage, which was not covered in the newspapers. This letter is housed at David Copperfield's International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts and reads in part:
I was out in Mark Lueschers office when I heard awful screaming. Mark and I rushed out into the auditorium, and what an awful site. We arrived when the damage in sight of the audience has been done, then two fool firemen passing me rushed downstairs and they must have lost their head.
Houdini goes on to explain, with a fair measure of disgust, that the firemen panicked the chorus men who then "stampeded" the chorus girls waiting in the wings. "Then there was a hellavu time," says Houdini.
Houdini volunteered to go onstage to fill the gap in the show, but "things were in too disturbed a state" and his offer was not accepted. He did express relief that the flying car did not go into the audience.
According to Houdini, the stagehand, Henry Casey, died on the way to the hospital. This was not reported in the papers. In fact, it hard to find any followup on the accident. But Axel Mirano survived and the brothers were back performing their "Flying Torpedo" act by the end of the year. The advert below from the Palace shows what their apparatus looked like.
The timing of this accident is interesting. This was within a month of the accidental shooting of magician Chung Ling Soo on the stage at the Empire Theater in London. This was also the very week Houdini planned to perform his own version of Soo's bullet catch at the Hippodrome.
As I covered in this post, the Hippodrome management requested Houdini cancel the dangerous trick and he did. I wonder if this accident had anything to do with that? I also wonder if being in such close proximity to two stage tragedies might have spooked Houdini. He didn't want to be number three!
Want more? You can read more details about the Hippodrome accident as a "Scholar" member of my Patreon.
Thanks to David Copperfield.
Friday, June 16, 2023
There's a Houdiniesque David Copperfield poster out there (update)
I don't know when this poster was created, but this was my third sighting. I first saw it inside David's own International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts in Las Vegas and again at Bruce Averbook's Magic Art Museum and Library in Cleveland. But I've only seen it inside these three temples of magic where no photos are allowed. So all I can do is share news that it exists and that it works beautifully as a tribute to two masters of magic.
Have you seen the "Copperfield for President" poster? Let us know in the comments below.
UPDATE: Thanks to Ray Anderson and our friends at Esther's Follies in Austin, we can see the poster!
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Episode 146: A Voice from Beyond the Grave
You can subscribe to Transatlantic History Ramblings on Apple, Spotify, Google, Anchor, or your favorite podcatcher. You can also follow them on Twitter @HistoryTA.
Thanks Brian and Lauren!
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