Previously, the six hard to find 1977 Stuart Pharmaceutical calendars from the series numbered DM-73301 to DM-73306 were shared:
- June: Escape from Prison when Manacled in Handcuff and Irons(HHCE Collection)
- July: The Celebrated Straitjacket Release(HHCE Collection)
- August: The Challenging Release From Wet Sheets (John Cox Collection)
- September: The Perilous Escape From the Spanish Maiden(HHCE Collection)
- October: The Spectacular Release From the Cannon(HHCE Collection)
- November/December: Escape From a Nailed Packing Box(HHCE Collection)
Each featured Spectacular Houdini Feats and original artwork by James Barkly.
This year, I am sharing the even harder to find 1978 Stuart Pharmaceutical calendars from the series numbered DM-17301 to DM-17306:
- January/February(George Goebel Collection)
- March/April (HHCE Collection)
- May/June (HHCE Collection)
- July/August (HHCE Collection)
- September/October (Missing)
- November/December (HHCE Collection)
This month, features the sixth calendar from 1978 series numbered DM-17306:
BONUS:
The Gallows Escape, Walter Gibson describes it in Houdini’s Escapes. Did HH perform it or was it only in his notes? Gibson describes some escapes in that book that Harry scribbled on paper but never followed thru. I wonder if it was the Jesse James Rope Trick he had performed.
Well, the Jesse James Hanging Trick is described in a 1914 program as “Jessie James feat of defeating the gallows”.
Which would imply HH did do some type of Gallows/Hanging escape. As Gibson pointed out, he was constantly experimenting and thinking about new escapes. We have yet to see a photo of Harry in the hangman’s noose. 🙂
The thing that keeps from believing this is the “Jesse James Hanging Trick” is Houdini using the word “trick” in something that has such a strong escape element. He did use “mystery” for the Prison Cell and Barrel Mystery. But “trick”. Seems like a small word for a smaller effect, and strictly a magical one.
Another great one, Joe. I love these and had no idea there were so many.
I tend to agree. I have updated the post with the 1914 program where he opens the first part with parlor effects, followed by escapes in the second part.
And here is more evidence from the January 28 1916 Houston Post that mentions parlor magic and the “Jesse James hanging trick”:
Houdini headlined the Thursday cabaret at the Majestic just as he does the bill itself, for the “Elusive American” captured his audience with a return to the old day of patter and parlor magic. Houdini explained that 25 years ago he began his mystifying career in the realm of legerdemain, and that while he no longer resorted to that particular branch of illusion, he was still its master. Indeed, the old line of patter rises as easily and gracefully to his lips and stage presence is as charming as it could possibly have been in the days when it was a badly needed asset to putting over his tricks. One or two of his stunts, he explained, but for the most part he simply pulled them off and let the audience guess at the means. Card tricks, boxes with sliding doors, the “Jesse James hanging trick” and others were given in his repertoire.
Boom! Great find, Joe.