This vintage photograph of Harry Houdini was sold at Swann Galleries in 2008. The photo is undated and uncredited; it is accompanied by almost no information, but clearly it is Houdini's Suspended Straightjacket Escape. This is just one image from what must have been a stunning public performance by the master showman. I've included a link to a YouTube video below to demonstrate the dynamic nature of the stunt.
Sale 2159 Lot 116
HOUDINI, HARRY. Vintage photograph showing Houdini hanging upside down in a straight jacket. Silver print in 11x14 inch format; chipping along left and top edges. Nd
Estimate $1,500-2,500. Sold for $800.
Rare video from Getty Images of Harry Houdini's Suspended Straitjacket Escape:
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| Here's the famous trick adorning his book cover. |
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| He performed this many times in many different cities. |
Love, love, love all things Houdini. Even had a tuxedo cat aptly named for his propensity to "escape". After he died I put a framed Houdini poster above my fireplace.
ReplyDeleteThe Grandfather of one of my HS classmates was a friend of Houdini and was given and collected a lot of Houdini paraphernalia...lots of cool stuff. I wonder if Marcie still has it?
Anyway great post...made my day :-)
Sous-Chef
Thanks, Sous-Chef! So you have a Sendak "Wild Things" poster and a Houdini poster! It seems this blog was made for you! Maybe you should tell me about your other home decor so I can get some ideas for future posts!
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