The Official Houdini Séance mystery envelope

Here's a clip from the 1987 Official Houdini Séance, which was held live on television that year. Here we see Sidney Radner showing the seance handcuffs, which still play a role in Official Séances and will be on the table tonight in Appleton. But then Sid shows a sealed envelope that he says contains "a very interesting document from the date of February 27, 1897."

Unfortunately, Houdini did not come back to tell us what was inside that envelope, and as far as I know, it never reappeared at another Official Séance.

What was in the envelope? I have an educated guess, but let's give Harry another chance. If he fails to manifest at any of today's seances, I will share my guess tomorrow.

Remembering

HARRY HOUDINI

on the

98th ANNIVERSARY

OF HIS DEATH

October 31, 1926

The reveal:

So I was all ready to share what I believed was inside the mystery envelope. Then, in a spooky Halloween coincidence, at the start of the Houdini Museum's Annual Houdini Seance online, Dorothy Dietrich showed this from their collection.

As it turns out, THIS is exactly what I think was inside the envelope. This is a reproduction of an advert in an early Houdini scrapbook that was owned by Sidney Radner. It advertises a spiritualist entertainment that Harry and Bess gave at the A.O.U.W. Lodge in St. Joseph, Missouri, on February 27 (the date "1897" is written on the ad, likely by Houdini himself). Dorothy wasn't aware of my post. It was pure coincidence that she decided to show this at the start of their seance.

Should we consider this a message from Houdini? I said that we would give him one more chance. Did he step in and reveal the contents of the mystery envelope via Dorothy? Believe.

However, there is a trick in this treat. The date on this is wrong. Houdini and Bess gave this show on February 27, but the year was actually 1898. Sid Radner didn't know this at the time. It's no wonder it took Houdini 37 years to figure this out!

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween.

Houdini Museum's annual Houdini Séance online

Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz of the Houdini Museum in Scranton and the Society of American Magicians are once again holding their annual Houdini seance tribute live online. Details below.

HOUDINI SÉANCE 

JOIN US FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENT!

YOU'RE INVITED

As a valued member of the Houdini Museum community, we invite you to join us for a special event steeped in mystery and history—Houdini's Séance on October 31, 2024, at 12:30 PM EST.

Every year on the anniversary of Harry Houdini's passing, we gather to honor his legacy with a traditional séance in an attempt to connect with the master illusionist himself. This tradition has been held since Houdini's death, and we continue to uphold it with respect and curiosity. 

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Thursday, October 31, 2024

Time: 12:30 PM EST

Location: Zoom

The actual Houdini Seance will begin at 1:26 PM Eastern, the time Houdini died on Halloween in 1926. This event has always been FREE. 

CLICK FOR ZOOM DETAILS

Whether you're a dedicated fan of Houdini or simply intrigued by the world of magic and mystery, this séance promises an experience you won't want to miss. We look forward to seeing you for an unforgettable afternoon. 

Hope to see you there!

Related:

• Halloween 1936: The Final Houdini Seance
• The secret origins of the annual Houdini Seance
• Houdini Seances go virtual for 2020

Houdini Museum in Scranton invites you to their Houdini Seance

Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz will hold their annual Houdini Seance at the Houdini Museum in Scranton on Halloween. They will showcase select items from their collection, including one rarity that might provide a way for Houdini to phone home this Halloween.

You can attend this year's seance in person or watch it on Zoom. Below are details. 

You’re Invited to attend The Houdini Seance on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at The Houdini Museum, 1433 North Main Avenue, Scranton, PA 18508

Doors open at 12 noon Eastern. There will be a meet and greet with snacks and refreshments. The seance will start at 1pm.

If you can make it in person, please call to get your name on the guest list: 570-342-5555

Everyone is invited to attend the seance on Zoom.

Topic: Houdini Seance

Time: Oct 31, 2023 @ 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85293124170?pwd=a01nM3U5YVFTRk9BRXhmZkRWOERqZz09
Meeting ID: 852 9312 4170 

Passcode: 849780

I'll be attending online. Hope to see you there!

Related:

• Halloween 1936: The Final Houdini Seance
• The secret origins of the annual Houdini Seance
• Official Houdini Séance will be held in Charleston, SC

Houdini Seance goes down

No, it wasn't just you. Looks like everyone got booted off The Original Houdini Seance online. I'm hearing they need to create a new link. I'll post it here when I have it.

UPDATE: Looks like the seance got hacked a second time. It's back, but I don't feel it's safe to share the link publicly. If you subscribe to my newsletter or are a member of my Patreon I've shared the link there. Sorry all!

Join the Original Houdini Seance live on Zoom

UPDATE: Zoom link now added below

Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz will hold their "Original Houdini Seance" from the Houdini Museum in Scranton live on Zoom on October 31 starting at 12:30 PM EST. The event is free and open for anyone to join. Below are details. 

Coming this October 31, HALLOWEEN, our classic and internationally famous ORIGINAL HOUDINI SEANCE! It will be on ZOOM and live at The Houdini Museum. The last two years each had over 200 attendees making them the largest Houdini Seances in history. And as demanded by Bess Houdini, THEY'RE FREE TO ALL! 

The event will begin at 12:30 PM EST. There will be several speakers who will give insights into Houdini and the meaning of the event. There will be several demonstrations and artifacts will be displayed. At 1:26 PM a moment of silence immediately followed by the Seance.  

After Party… Open the zoom audience to discuss Houdini and the Seance experience.

You are invited to get a virtual front row seat and close up look at this memorable historic Houdini event. Will Houdini give us a sign from the Beyond? Who Knows… 

Join The Original Houdini Seance on Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82277973604?pwd=NkNBaituUkF5d2E1QUhYVitvcVFOUT09
Meeting ID: 822 7797 3604
Passcode: 026330

Please note the Zoom meeting link and details are forthcoming. I will add them to this post when available and also send them out via my newsletter and Patreon.

Hope to see you there!

Related:

• Houdini Seances go virtual for 2020
• 2021 seances keep Houdini's spirit alive
• The secret origins of the annual Houdini Seance

2021 seances keep Houdini's spirit alive

The 2021 Houdini Seance season is complete. This year saw The Official Houdini Seance held in Chicago at Potter & Potter auctions. Once again Harry decided to skip the event, but all the other usual suspects were on hand. According to Bill Radner, who kindly provided the below images, it was another grand evening in celebration of Houdini.

Meanwhile, The Original Houdini Seance by Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz was held virtually from the Houdini Museum in Scranton. The stream attracted some 200 viewers at its peak. There were some strange goings on. A picture of a Water Torture Cell poster fell over and the museum was hit with a mysterious blackout mid-seance. Was that Harry trying to be heard? (You can read more about this seance at Interval Magic.)

Guess we'll all try again next year. But these seances and their popularity just prove Houdini is alive and well in 2021!

Related:

• The Official Houdini Seance will be held in Chicago
• Join The Original Houdini Seance live on Zoom
• The secret origins of the annual Houdini Seance

Join The Original Houdini Seance live on Zoom

Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz will hold their "Original Houdini Seance" from the Houdini Museum in Scranton live on Zoom this Sunday at 12:30pm EST. It will FREE and open for anyone to join. Below is the official press release. 

The Original Houdini Seance Zoomed Free from The Houdini Museum on Halloween 

You’re invited to The Original Houdini Seance being zoomed to you from The Houdini Museum, Scranton, PA. USA on October 31, Halloween, beginning at 12:30pm Eastern. 

 
The event will be headed up by renowned Magician, Escape Artist and authority on Houdini Dorothy Dietrich. She is a noted Houdini Historian, speaker, and consultant who has appeared on many TV shows including Mysteries At The Museum, Deals From the Dark Side, Tom Snyder, the HBO Special The World’s Greatest Escapes hosted by Tony Curtis and many more. Her talents have taken her all over the world. Dietrich is the Director of The Houdini Museum. Also appearing for the second year on Zoom will be Dick Brookz noted magician, mentalist, comedian, Houdini Historian, and creative consultant. He travels performing and consulting with magic & Houdini projects. Dick is the curator of the Houdini Museum and featured magician. 

It will all begin at 12:30 pm on Zoom with a discussion with The Houdini Family Jeff, Forrest & Debbie Blood. They will share some of their fun stories about what it was like growing up in the Houdini Family. Also John Cox, who writes the popular blog WILD ABOUT HARRY (wildabouthoudini.com), will share a few minutes about what happened with Houdini in 2021. John lives in Los Angeles and is currently working on a definitive book about Houdini's life and career.

The seance will begin at 1:26 PM, the time Houdini died on Halloween in 1926. This event has always been FREE. The New York Times early on reported Mrs Houdini wanted "the motivation for the spirit-communication to be free from monetary gain." When Bess Houdini stopped doing the seances after ten years she asked renowned Houdini biographer and creator of “The Shadow” series Walter B. Gibson to carry them on. Dorothy Dietrich attended Walters’ Seances for many years around NYC throughout the late 1970’s at New York's legendary Magic Towne House and at Houdini's NYC brownstone on 113th Street, at Houdini’s first childhood home on 79th Street in NYC and at the Houdini Museum in Scranton, PA, the only building in the world dedicated to Houdini. (http://Houdini.org) 

 
When Walter B Gibson got up in years, he turned the responsibility and honor of carrying on the Original Houdini Seance to Dorothy Dietrich. Last year the seance was about to be cancelled because of COVID, but thanks to the technical expertise of Hank Feinberg, it became the first ever virtual Houdini seance and had a worldwide record attendance of 200 guests. Due to demand this year there will be 500 spots available and is likely to fill up quickly, so arrive early. 

 
There will be a very special Houdini souvenir for all who attend. 

Each year since his death, a tribute in the form of a seance has been conducted on Halloween, the day Houdini died. This is the only Houdini Seance that dates back directly to Houdini and his wife, Beatrice. You are invited to get a virtual front row seat & close up look at this memorable historic Houdini event. 

Will Houdini give us a sign from the Beyond? Who Knows…

Houdini Seance on Zoom (Oct. 31, 2021 @ 12:30pm EST)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87955677401?pwd=b3h4VE8zY2VJWWt2WGxsZUNZV2tiQT09
Meeting ID: 879 5567 7401
Passcode: 062926

Hope to see you there!

Related:

• Strange occurrence during Houdini Seance (YouTube)
• The Official Houdini Seance will be held in Chicago
• The secret origins of the annual Houdini Seance

Houdini Seances go virtual for 2020

Due to Covid, The Official Houdini Seance and The Original Houdini Seance were both held virtually this Halloween. But this all-new stage seemed to finally rouse Harry with both seances claiming paranormal activity...if we Believe.

The first seance of the day was Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz' Original Houdini Seance. This was held via ZOOM at 1:26 PM (the time of Houdini's death). The seance was open to the public, hitting a high of 201 viewers by mid seance. The S.A.M. hosted the event with Dorothy and Dick conducting the seance from Scranton, PA.

But it's what happened at 1:29 PM that has us all scratching our heads. A printers block that was used by Houdini toppled over on the seance table in a way that seemed utterly inexplicable. I spoke with Dorothy and Dick afterwards, and they assured me there was no trickery involved. Luckily, it was all captured on video. Below is the moment. The printer's block is propped against the photograph of Harry, Mama, and Bess on the right. This is pretty weird!

Next came The Official Houdini Seance run annually by Bill Radner and Tom Boldt. This was also conducted via ZOOM, but was a private invitation only event. Always a class production, the seance featured a performance by Benjilini, brief talks by myself, Gay Blackstone, George Hardeen, and David Muller. Bill Radner showed the seances cuffs and Tom Boldt hosted. Teller was also among the virtual attendees. The Official Houdini Seance always invites a professional medium to conduct their seance. This time it was Robyn Fritz, a "certified past life regression specialist" and author.

Unlike recent Official seance mediums, Robyn had no problem instantly contacting "Mr. Houdini," whom she said she had been "working with" all week in preparation. She explained Houdini was trapped in a grey area of the afterlife (her version of purgatory) and was searching for his wife. Roybn was able to bring forth Bess and reunite the two, who then traveled off together into what Roybn calls the "party."

Roybn seemed nice and I think she believes in her abilities. But I was far from convinced. At one point she asked the group if we had any questions for Houdini, and I volunteered a few test questions to verify it really was Houdini we were speaking to. I explained Houdini himself would understand this and demand it of any seance. But Houdini was unable or unwilling to answer a single question. 

This was the first Official Seance I've attended in which the medium actually claimed clear and unequivocal contact. But I don't think she appreciated my test. Or was it Houdini who didn't like it? Either way, I'm convinced no one was convinced.

Finally, while it wasn't a seance, another virtual highlight of this Halloween weekend was the Magic Collector's Corner #29, which focused on Houdini for the third time. I thought this was the best of the three Houdini specials, with appearances by myself, Fred Pittella, Dorothy Dietrich, Mike Caveney, and, best of all, Houdini's Ghost himself, Patrick Culliton! If you saw it I know you enjoyed it as much as I did. If you want to watch a replay (or see the full video of Fred Pittella's amazing collection), you can check it out by joining the Magic Collectors' Corner Facebook group.

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

UPDATE: Dick and Dorothy have shared with me a photo of the phantom printer's block to show this was not a trick (not a Telekinetic Timber). This came out of 278 in 1980.

Related:

• The secret origins of the annual Houdini Seance
• Join the virtual Houdini Seance on Halloween
• Magic Collectors' Corner Houdini Part 3, Sunday

Join the virtual Houdini Seance on Halloween

Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz will hold their annual "Original Houdini Seance" as a virtual Zoom event this Saturday (Halloween). Their goal is to assemble the largest audience ever for a Houdini Seance. How could Houdini resist? Below are details.

YOU can attend the largest online seance ever held this Saturday October 31st on Zoom! 

FREE! 

Please attend the first virtual seance to try to communicate with Harry Houdini on the 94th Anniversary of his death. It will be conducted Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 1:26 PM (EST) by Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz the owners and curators of the Harry Houdini Museum in Scranton, PA.

Sign in at 1:00 PM EST for a discussion and explanation of this event. The actual Seance will take place at 1:26 PM, the exact time of Houdini's death 94 years ago on October 31, 1926. 

Come Join The Houdini Seance 

Meeting ID: 816 7803 6794 

Passcode: 642907

Related:

• Dorothy and Dick join The Creepy Side of NEPA

Dorothy and Dick join The Creepy Side of NEPA

Houdini is certainly receiving a lot of attention on podcasts this month! Here our friends Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz of the Houdini Museum in Scranton guest on The Creepy Side of NEPA podcast. They talk Houdini and tell stories of strange occurrences during their Original Houdini Seances and inside their Houdini museum.

CLICK TO LISTEN

Related:

• Touring Houdini's L.A. with Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz
• Scranton honors Dorothy Dietrich and Houdini Museum
• 'Original Seance' to be held at site of Houdini's first New York home

Halloween happenings at the Houdini Museum in Scranton

Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz at the Houdini Museum in Scranton will be marking the 93rd anniversary of Houdini's death with two special events.

The first will their annual Original Houdini Seance on Halloween. They will actually hold TWO seances this year; one at 1:26pm, the exact time of Houdini's death, and the other at 7:30pm, the time of his last show. They will offer free snacks and show clips from The Grim Game starting at Noon and 6:00pm. Both seances are free "as wife Bess wanted them."

The following day, November 1, the museum will host author Joe Posnanski for a signing and reading of his new book The Life and Afterlife of Harry Houdini. Dorothy and Dick and the Houdini Museum feature in the book. The building facade is even pictured on the endpapers. This event takes place at 7:00pm.

Scranton's Houdini Museum is located at 1433 N. Main Ave. For more information visit their website.

Related:

• Scranton honors Dorothy Dietrich and Houdini Museum
• Joe Posnanski's "Did I Mention" Houdini book tour
• REVIEW: A Houdini book for everyone

Plaque marking Houdini's first New York City home

The New York Post reports that a historic plaque marking Houdini first New York home will be installed at 244 East 79th Street, the one-time location of Mrs. Loeffler's boarding house where the Weiss family lived in 1887. The plaque dedication was part of the Original Houdini Seance held at Sojourn Restaurant on Halloween.

A plaque was said to have been installed there in 2016. But when I went to Sojourn to have a look in July, the restaurant staff had no idea what I was talking about. So I'll believe it when I see it!

Nevertheless, it's one fine looking plaque.

Photo from David Allen @TodaysNew.

UPDATE: According to Dick Brookz of the Houdini Museum in Scranton (who organize the Original Seance), the 2016 plaque was stolen.

Related:

• Houdini a no show, but 2018 seances still a success
• Wild in Houdini's New York (2018)
• S.A.M. dedicates historic plaque and honors Deborah Hardeen in New York

Houdini a no show, but 2018 seances still a success

Houdini once again decided to skip the seances held in his honor last night. But if the true goal was to celebrate his life and entertain, then this 92nd anniversary was a great success!

The Official in Baltimore.

In Baltimore, "The Official Houdini Séance" was held at the Jewish Museum of Maryland, site of the current exhibition, Inescapable: The Life and Legacy of Harry Houdini. The inner circle was made up of Houdini luminaries: Bill Radner, Tom Boldt, Arthur Moses, Ken Trombly, Bruce Averbook, Fred Pittella, Robert Somerdin, Midge Markey, and David London. Also joining was Debbie Hardeen, Houdini’s great-grandniece, her first time participating in an Official Houdini Séance.

Despite the best efforts of Psychic Medium Maggie Salter, Houdini did not come through. The seance was live tweeted by JMM Marketing Manager Rachel Kassman, who has posted a full account of the event at the JMM Blog.

The Original in New York.

Meanwhile, in New York City, Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz held their "Original Houdini Seance" at Sojourn Restaurant, the site of the Weiss family's first New York home. Guests of honor were author Alain Nu and artist Cynthia von Buhler. Dick reported that cellphones rang twice when Houdini was called upon, and the restaurant chandelier noticeably swayed. You can read a report at the Daily News.

Congrats to all the organizers and participants. Let's try again next year!

UPDATE: Check out Joe Notaro's report on the Official Seance at HHCE.

Related:

• Houdini 2018 Halloween rundown
• Official Houdini Séance 2018 to be held in Baltimore
• Original Houdini Seance at Sojourn in New York

Houdini 2018 Halloween rundown

Tomorrow marks the 92nd anniversary of Houdini's death, and, as usual, there are no shortage of events looking to bring him back!

• The Official Houdini Seance will be held this year in Baltimore at the Jewish Museum of Maryland. The event will feature talks by Houdini experts and performances by magicians. The museum is currently home to the exhibition Inescapable: The Life and Legacy of Harry Houdini. Note: This event is SOLD OUT.

• The Original Houdini Seance will once again be held at Sojourn Restaurant in New York City, the site of Houdini's boyhood home. Guests of honor will include author Alain Nu and Cynthia von Buhler, whose show The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini is playing to rave reviews (and will have a Halloween night performance). The seance starts at 11:30 AM and is free, but you'll need to register HERE.

• Dixie Dooley will hold his 33rd Annual Houdini Seance in Las Vegas. The seance starts at 1:26 PM at Headz Up in the Boulevard Mall, 3542 South Maryland Pkwy. Admission is free, but arrive early for preferred seating.

• Psychic Comedienne and Medium Jill Marie Morris will again hold her Harry Houdini Halloween Vigil at Dearly Departed Tours & Museum in Hollywood, CA. Note: This event is SOLD OUT.

• Italy will see The Last Secret of Houdini interactive magic show starring Fiorella Colombo and Fabrizio Marchesano. For more information visit the official website or Facebook.

Which event will Houdini attend? Stay tuned!

Houdini 2018 Halloween jack-o’-lantern by Tom Interval at Houdini Museum.

Related:

• Halloween 1936: The Final Houdini Seance
• The Final Houdini Seance redux 1986
• The Houdini seance inside Room 401

Original Houdini Seance at Sojourn in New York

The Houdini Museum in Scranton will once again hold their "Original Houdini Seance" at Sojourn Restaurant in New York City on October 31. Special guest of honor this year will be mentalist, television personality, and author Alain Nu. The seance begins at 11:30 AM and is open to the public.

Sojourn is located at 244 East 79 St. in a building that was once Mrs. Loeffler's Boarding House. It was here that young Ehrich Weiss and his family lived when they moved to New York in 1887.

The Original Houdini Seance (not to be confused with the Official Houdini Seance which this year is being held in Baltimore) traces back to Walter B. Gibson, who suggested to Dorothy Dietrich that she carry on the annual seance tradition.

This is the third Original Seance to be held at Sojourn. Will the third time be the charm?

UPDATE: You can now RSVP for the seance HERE.

Related:

• Official Houdini Séance 2018 to be held in Baltimore
• The Rise of Houdini: Haunted Burlesque & Seance

Original Houdini Seance to be held in New York

The Houdini Museum in Scranton will once again hold their "Original Houdini Seance" at Sojourn Restaurant in New York City on October 31. The seance this year will be conducted by Dorothy Dietrich herself. It begins at 11:30 AM and runs until the exact time of Houdini's death at 1:26 PM. The seance is free for magicians and fans of Houdini. Complimentary food will be provided by Sojourn.

Table from last year's Original Houdini Seance at Sojourn.

Sojourn is located at 244 East 79 St., in a building that was once Mrs. Loeffler's Boarding House. It was here that young Ehrich Weiss and his family lived when they first arrived in New York in 1887.

This year's seance will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Houdini becoming president of the Society of American Magicians. Houdini helped expand the S.A.M. into the national organization that it is today with hundreds of local chapters and thousands of members.

The Original Houdini Seance seance (not to be confused with the Official Houdini Seance which this year is being held in Cleveland) traces back to Walter B. Gibson, who suggested to Dorothy Dietrich that she carry on the annual seance tradition. Last year's seance at Sojourn attracted members of the Hardeen family and garnered national press attention.

For more on Dorothy Dietrich, the Original Houdini Seances and the Houdini Museum of Scranton, visit their official website. The full press release can be viewed here.

Below are some other Halloween events for this 91st anniversary year.

Related:

• Official Houdini Séance in Cleveland
• Harry Houdini Halloween Vigil in Los Angeles
• 'Houdini Speaks To The Living' at The Players in New York

When 'Dead Famous' went in search of Houdini

In 2005 Living TV in the UK aired Dead Famous: Houdini, in which skeptic Gail Porter and "sensitive" Chris Fleming went in search of Houdini's ghost. This British series was part of the explosion of dubious "reality" television and part of a sub genre of ghost-hunter shows that aped the style of The Blair Witch Project. Here's a description of the Houdini episode:

Searching for the ghost of Harry Houdini our duo visit the Eastern State Penitentiary, the blueprint for modern escape-proof prisons, where the man known as The Jailbreak King might still be tampering with the locks, and the Palace Theatre on Broadway where Houdini performed in the vaudeville era. But could the man no jail could hold be captured by the cameras?

The investigative segments of the episode are tedious and the research embarrassingly bad. Chris Fleming actually calls out to Houdini as "Harold", and Gail Porter states that Houdini "most famously survived going over Niagara Falls in a barrel." And while it's cool to see the inside of Palace Theater, they then go to Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary for no reason other than "it would have appealed to Houdini." (I suspect this segment was actually filmed independently of the Houdini episode and added to help pad out the hour.)

However, the show redeems itself in the end when the team attends the 2004 Houdini Seance with Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz at the Houdini Museum in Scranton. You get a great look at the museum, and it's an excellent documentation of that year's "Original" seance (not to be confused with the "Official" seance). Jeff Blood, the grand nephew of Harry and Bess, is in attendance and has a moment on camera. Bess's voice from the Final Houdini Seance also gets some nice air play (more than we typically hear).

So despite being the sort of hokum that Houdini himself would have condemned, the show is still worth checking out. Below is the full episode on YouTube.

Dead Famous: Houdini originally aired January 18, 2005. Two seasons were released on DVD in the UK.

Related:

• Dead Famous: Houdini
• Did the Original Houdini Seance have more luck contacting Harry?
• How Houdini planned to (not) go over Niagara Falls

S.A.M. Houdini press conference in NYC, Oct. 26

Click to enlarge.

The Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.) will commence National Magic Week and the 90th Anniversary of Houdini's death with a special press conference and luncheon at Sojourn in New York this Wednesday, October 26 at 7 PM.

There will be announcements of all the activities and events taking place throughout New York and the nation to honor the S.A.M.'s "Most Illustrious" past president. The event is free to magicians, illusionists, enthusiasts and fans. Relatives of the Houdini Family will also be in attendance.

To RSVP, contact George Schindler at the number or email listed on the event invite (right).

Sojourn is located at 244 East 79 St. in the building that was once Mrs. Loeffler's Boarding House, the site of Houdini's first New York home. The restaurant will also be the site of the "Original Houdini Seance" on Halloween.

Keep up with all the 90th anniversary Houdini events via #Houdini90th.

UPDATE: S.A.M. dedicates historic plaque and honors Deborah Hardeen in New York.

Related:

• 'Original Seance' to be held at site of Houdini's first New York home

'Original Seance' to be held at site of Houdini's first New York home

Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz of the Houdini Museum in Scranton will hold their "Original Houdini Seance" at the Sojourn Restaurant in New York City on October 31 at 12 PM. Among the attendees will be celebrity mentalist Marc Salem. The seance is open to the public. Admission is free.

The choice of location is a meaningful one. Sojourn is located at 244 East 79 St., in a building that was once Mrs. Loeffler's Boarding House. It was here that young Ehrich Weiss and his father stayed when they first arrived in New York in 1887. Amazingly, the building would still be recognizable to Houdini and his father today.

Dorothy and Dick's "Original" seance (not to be confused with the "Official" seance, which this year is being held in Milwaukee) traces back to Walter B. Gibson, who suggested that Dorothy carry on the annual seance tradition. Along with the American Museum of Magic's "Lox and Bagel" seance, it looks like Houdini is going to have a choice of destination on this 90th year!

Marc Salem's new show "Haunted Mind" will play a special Halloween night event at The Gramercy Theatre at 127 E. 23rd Street in Manhattan.

You can read the full Original Houdini Seance press release at Houdini.org.

Related:

• Houdini's NYC boyhood home today
• Official Houdini Seance to be held in Milwaukee
• American Museum of Magic to hold Houdini seance

Houdini Museum announces Original Houdini Seance 2014

Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz have announced that their annual "Original Houdini Seance" will be held at the Houdini Museum in Scranton on Halloween at 1:26pm.

Guests this year will include Sean Von Gorman, co-creator of The Secret Adventures of Houdini graphic novel series, and psychic David Jay, a local celebrity paranormalist who presides over the year round Scranton Ghost Walk.

Admission to the séance is by invitation only by calling Penny Wilkes at 570-342-5555. There is no charge to attend.

The Original Houdini Seance (not to be confused with the Official Houdini Seance which will be held this year in Danvers, MA) traces its lineage back to Walter B. Gibson and claims to be "the oldest and only genuine Houdini séance."

The Houdini Museum is located at 1433 N. Main Ave., Scranton, PA. For more info visit the Houdini Museum website.