On New Years Eve, I received an email from Sammy Smith, Linking Ring editor, that my April 2024 article, “The Search for the Holy Grail of Houdini Handcuffs”, won an “Award of Merit” plaque, and the plaque (at long last!) was now in his hands from the awards company and would be sent to me shortly.
Well as you can now see, it arrived. I will display it proudly in my Houdini room.
Thanks to all the members of the IBM and Linking Ring editor Sammy Smith for this honor.
Harry Houdini (1874-1926), the most celebrated magician of the 20th Century, made an elephant disappear in New York City’s Hippodrome on January 7th, 1918 in front of an audience numbering 5,200 spectators that were there for the Cheer Up! Review, Jennie the elephant was walked into a very large cabinet on stage. The curtains were closed and reopened, and there was no sign of the 10,000 pound elephant! The audience was shocked. Several theories have been posed on how Houdini achieved this trick, …
Houdini’s contribution to the war effort included canceling his touring season so that he could entertain soldier’s and rain money for the war. He also held a series of classes to advise American soldiers how to escape sinking ships and escape from ropes, handcuffs, and similar restraints, in case of capture by the Germans.
The above text is what appears on the back of my rare 3/3 Silver holographic Aurora parallel card put out by Historic Autograph & Card Co in 2023.
Related:
I published two Houdini Books with the mighty Arthur Moses:
The first 6 months of the third year (Kinema Comic 1922) of the serial, The Amazing Exploits of HOUDINI, is now available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk
Kinema Comic 1920 (Apr-Dec) The Amazing Exploits of HOUDINI available now on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk
Besides publishing two books, I did posts on books by others:
Including being the first to publish a review on what I would call The Houdini Book of the Year:
Besides posts on new books, there were many more highlights for HHCE in 2025.
Shared my Houdini adventures:
Shared a number of items from my personal collection:
![HHCE Collection: Houdini Herald [Front]](https://harryhoudinicircumstantialevidence.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Houdini-Herald-Front-lr.jpg)
I shared Master Mystery Exhibitors’ Ads from my 4-page “Houdini Herald”:
Shared reviews from Feb. 14, 1925 The Billoard Magazine in my collection:.
Shared my Swedish Film (SF) Houdini movie ads that appeared in the Filmjournalen magazine.
And also shared my SF programs for his movies:
Shared my Houdini Master of Mystery Pinball items:
Shared my Houdini 98 Press Materials:
Shared my Patti Smith rare booklet:
Shared an article by Houdini:
Shared my November 1919 Photoplay Magazine that included some pages related to Houdini and The Grim Game:
Shared my latest Tatler Cuff image found in the April 2nd, 1904 Black and White magazine:
Shared, The Daily Illustrated Mirror reports leading up to the Mirror Handcuff Challenge event of March 17th 1904, the event itself, and post-event reporting:
Shared in chronological order, movie related items found in Houdini scrapbook compiled by Houdini’s personal friend, Quincy Kilby:
I will be taking the rest of 2025 off to spend time with family and friends.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
In 2026, I will post book reviews for some of the many books planned for the centennial year of Houdini’s Death. Plus, Arthur Moses and I plan to continue our series of Houdini books, where the Master of Mystery chronicles his most amazing exploits. And, I will also share more research, items from my personal collection, and any Houdini adventures which will include the Magic Collectors Expo in NJ/NY and the SAM convention in Appleton, Wisconsin.
2026 is going to be an amazing year celebrating Houdini!
I recently went through a Houdini scrapbook compiled by Houdini’s personal friend, Quincy Kilby, and thought I would share items related to his movies in chronological order.
Today, I share a November 7th Letter:
My Dear Q.K.,
…
Am enclosing you a programme, signed and if you wish one signed by the entire company, will send one along.
The play is a hit. And I know you will like all the episodes.
…
My wrist is getting along alright, have to have a new baking electrical treatment, so as to ease the joint, hope to be okay in a month or so.
…
Houdini
On November 7th, The first four episodes of The Master Mystery had a trade screening at the Strand Theatre, New York, NY.
Related:
I recently went through a Houdini scrapbook compiled by Houdini’s personal friend, Quincy Kilby, and thought I would share items related to his movies in chronological order.
Today, I share a October 27th Letter:
My Dear Q.K.
…
Close at the Hip for ten weeks, must finish my Master Mystery picture.
…
Nothing new, my wrist is better but far from being well.
It will take a few more months before I can hope to bend it as in days of yore.
It seems to be stronger than ever, for the bone has knitted with rings around, so I am better than ever.
….
Houdini
…
The Houdini picture has been sold to New England and you will see it in your own home town.
Houdini’s Everything contract expires November 2nd and he focuses on finishing the rest of his Master Mystery serial.
I recently went through a Houdini scrapbook compiled by Houdini’s personal friend, Quincy Kilby, and thought I would share items related to his movies in chronological order.
Today, I share a October 7th Letter:
My Dear Q.K.,
Glad to hear from you. Met Mr. Hubble, in Yonkers, as the Movie Studio is in Yonkers.
…
My wrist is now out of the splint, but far from being well.
It will take a few more months, but it does not stop me from working, oney frim performing my heavy stunts, so alls well.
…
Houdini
Filmed in and around Yonkers, New York, shooting began in late July and continued throughout the summer and fall of 1918. Every day Houdini commuted 28 miles to Yonkers from his home in New York City. Houdini suffered minor injuries, including a broken wrist [on Saturday August 10, 1918] when he lost his grip on a chandelier from which he was swinging.
Harry Houdini headlines the list of 1/1 cut signature cards in 2025 Topps Tier One and sells on eBay for $6,323.00 not including Tax and shipping charges.
Front
Back
It came from a Harry Houdini Typed Letter Signed to a Fellow Magician that sold at RR auction on 01/10/2024 for $3,478.
Description
Houdini pays the way for a fellow magician: “Enclosed you will find my check for $15. which will pay your round trip fares”
TLS signed “Houdini,” one page, 8.5 x 11, May 17, 1917. Letter to Boston-area magician Edwin Fay Rice, in part: “As you may want to make your own arrangements I think it best for you to do as you like and enclosed you will find my check for $15. which will pay your round trip fares, parlour cars both ways…Mrs. Houdini and I sorely disappointed that Mrs. Rice will not be down here but such is life.” In fine condition, with some minor chipping to the top edge. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder.
Accompanied by the original mailing envelope and a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA. A journalist for the Boston Daily Times, Edwin Fay Rice had a short but impactful career in the world of magic, and was a key figure in helping found the Mystics Circle of Boston as a member of the Society of American Magicians.
As a Houdini historian, I find these “cut” signatures a destruction of history. But these days, there’s more likely to be someone prepared to pay money for a cut signature card than a letter. In essence, while the letter is a piece of history, the card is a modern, manufactured rarity with high market demand among a large base of sports card collectors who value those specific attributes over the historical content of a simple letter. So sad!
I recently went through a Houdini scrapbook compiled by Houdini’s personal friend, Quincy Kilby, and thought I would share items related to his movies in chronological order.
Today, I share a July 14th Letter:
My Dear Q.K.,
…
I shall be very busy from now on, as I have the Serial to make, invest, construct and present two new tricks at the Hippodrome, for I have been so “Eminently” successful that the management have seen to reengage me.
With the Film Developing Corp [FDC]. I now have three business’ to attend to, hope I have not bitten off more than I can chew, for it’s a lot of work, but as it is the work I like we will start at it anyway.
Just think of it I must create and present two tricks of fifteen minutes duration up to my usual standard of mystification for the Hip and think I will be okay.
…
Houdini
Work on the Master Mystery Serial was just about to start.
And because Houdini’s “Cheer Up!” show was so successful, the Hippodrome extended his contract to do the “Everything” show in the Fall of 1918. “Everything” was a Mammoth Musical Spectacle with a ton of acts that would include Houdini producing his pet eagle “Abraham Lincoln” from beneath the folds of an American flag.
So Houdini was a busy man with the Master Mystery Serial, his Hippodrome show, and the FDC to attend to.
I recently went through a Houdini scrapbook compiled by Houdini’s personal friend, Quincy Kilby, and thought I would share items related to his movies in chronological order.
Today, I share a June 14th Letter:
This is where we find out that he has “signed with B.A. Rolfe for a ten-reel serial” to be written by Arthur B. Reeve, and Charles A. Logue.
He signed the contract on June 5, 1918 and was guaranteed a salary of $1500 per week during production and promised half the net profit (a codicil over which he would later sue). The proposed serial’s length was contractually specified at 10 chapters but later increased to 15.
99 years ago, we loss Harry Houdini. Today, I share a snippet of a letter F. L. Black of the Dearbourn Publishing Co. sent Quincy Kilby on Nov 9 1926:
Note: Dearbourn is located in Michigan.
Quincy Kilby was a personal friend of Houdini, who compiled a Houdini scrapbook which is in the Boston Public Library.
The letter is from an eye-witness who saw Houdini’s last performance in Detroit, talked to him afterwards, confirmed he was suffering intensely; and kept in touch with Hardeen until the end.
Also confirms Bess Houdini’s state as prostrated or one of extreme physical weakness and mental exhaustion, to the point of collapse.
Houdini was definitely more to her than the average husband and he is definitely more to the world as and we continue to celebrate and learn more about the life of this amazing man every year.
Next year is the big one, number 100!