Today I continue my series on The Daily Illustrated Mirror reports leading up to the Mirror Handcuff Challenge event of March 17th 1904, the event itself, and post-event reporting.
Previously I shared:
- March 11 1904 – Birmingham Man Invents a Handcuff With a Lock Which Cannot Be Picked
- March 14 1904 – The Handcuff King Accepts Our Challenge
- March 15 1904 – Houdini’s Torture Tests
Today, I share the March 16, 1904 issue of The Daily Illustrated Mirror:
Again, the paper mentions the Mirror Representative showing how its possible to jerk open regular handcuffs if you know the trick, but this time goes on to emphasize that when Houdini takes them from his wrists they are properly unlocked.
Also mentioned is shaking the hands of the British Blacksmith, whether beaten or not, implying the Blacksmith would be at the challenge (which AFAIK he was not present).
And Houdini asking the Daily Mirror (owners of the cuffs) to allow him to make a specification of the lock, whether succeeding or not, implies getting his hands on the cuffs after the event.
I love this stuff! Thanks Joe! Note the folks calling Houdini a charlatan. I suppose that’s par for the course when you’re a Handcuff King. Note also the line “Must Defend the Title” like a champion boxer would. Houdini approached his work like a professional athlete. John noted that in a recent podcast.
Glad your enjoying! And great observations!!
I am enjoying these Daily Mirror newspaper articles! You need to write a book just on the Mirror Challenge story. I’m not kidding. The whole enchilada. When the Tatlers finally come out of hiding, the book will be widely welcomed by us Houdini nuts. Get started now, and when the Tatlers surface, you will have your last chapter.
Thanks Leo, will keep a book in mind after I do the Kinema Comic series.
Wonderful!
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