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:
- HHCE Search for New York World Vanishing Elephant Photos
- 100 Years Ago Today – Houdini Made Elephants Disappear
- The Vanishing Elephant Photo
- Houdini Volare Vanishing Elephant Brochure
Nice! Interesting that it says a curtain was in front of the cabinet. I thought it was a double door in front and in the back. I’m sure the back side had the double doors with the hole cutout in the center when both doors were closed. The method relied on it.
Per David Charvet: The circular opening in the cabinet is only in the back, in the Morritt version believed to have been used by HH. Two doors open in back to give a clear view through the cabinet. The front of the box is square (like the rest of the box) with curtain at front.