As President of the Society of American Magicians, he was keen to uphold professional standards and expose fraudulent artists. While many suspected that these escapes were faked, Houdini presented himself as the scourge of fake spiritualists. Another stunt saw him buried alive and only just able to claw himself to the surface, emerging in a state of near-breakdown. ![]() In 1904, thousands watched as he tried to escape from special handcuffs commissioned by London's Daily Mirror, keeping them in suspense for an hour. Soon he extended his repertoire to include chains, ropes slung from skyscrapers, straitjackets under water, and having to escape from and hold his breath inside a sealed milk can with water in it. He first attracted notice in vaudeville in the United States and then as "Harry 'Handcuff' Houdini" on a tour of Europe, where he challenged police forces to keep him locked up. Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-born American escape artist, illusionist, stunt performer and mysteriarch, noted for his escape acts. Boldly signed on the front free endpaper, "Best wishes Houdini." In near fine condition. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece, illustrated by Oscar S. Using personal research and observations, Houdini reveals the cunning techniques employed by fire-eaters, sword swallowers, and other masters of deception to mystify and amaze audiences around the world.įirst edition of this work edited by Houdini by the late card master Elliot. The legendary magician and illusionist Harry Houdini turns a critical eye to the astonishing claims of those in his own profession in his work Miracle Mongers and Their Methods. The raids brought him huge publicity as well as a million dollars in lawsuits.â At his death in 1927, â he was buried in a brass replica of the iron casket, his head pillowed on a bundle of his motherâ s letters to himâ (ANB). In city after city he attended sà ances in disguise, exposing frauds on the spot and sometimes securing their arrest, aided by his personal squad of detectives. Early in 1924 he began lecturing throughout the United States on fraudulent mediums. â Harry Houdini was a unique figure in the history of entertainmentâ ¦ a hero of legend and folklore.â Following the death of his mother in 1913, Houdini began to investigate spiritualism and â soon became an all-out crusader against it. Bookplate to the front pastedown, in near fine condition. Boldly signed by Harry Houdini on the front free endpaper. Octavo, original cloth, frontispiece of Houdini, illustrated throughout. First edition of this work by Houdini regarding his one-time idol.
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