Houdini Investigates Medium

Harry Houdini Live!

Houdini Rope Escape

Lithograph, color ; 262 x 200 cm. [192-?]
Created by “The Otis Lithograph Co., Cleveland, O.”
Caption: Buried alive, Egyptian Fakirs outdone.

Lithograph, color ; 72 x 54 cm.
Chicago : National Pr. Eng. Co., [1895]

The Houdinis, Harry, Bessie introducing the only and original. 1895
Lithograph, color ; 62 x 46 cm.
Created by “Liebler Maass Lith., N.Y.” [ca. 1895]

Do spirits return? Houdini says no – and proves it 3 shows in one : magic, illusions, escapes, fraud mediums exposed.
Lithograph, color ; 10 x 71 cm. [ca. 1909]
“Lyceum Theatre, Paterson, Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sept. 2-3-4, matinee Saturday.”
Forms part of the McManus-Young Collection.
Transferred from; LC Rare Book and Special Collections Division; 1956.

On the stage – in person, Hardeen, brother of Houdini handcuffs and jails will not hold him : the greatest mystery show of all times. Mentalist supreme, Princess Yvonne, the mystery girl.

Lithograph, color ; 105 x 73 cm.
Created by “Triangle Poster Printing Co., Phila.” [ca. 1931]
At head of title: Lyric Theatre, Beckley, Wed. Thur., Jan. 29-30.”

Hardeen inherits his brother’s secrets Houdini’s will makes possible the continuance of Houdini’s master mysteries.
Lithograph, color ; 101 x 70 cm.
Created by “Carey and Sons Lith, N.Y.” [1936?]

Under the terms of Houdini’s will, the Library of Congress inherited the magic and spiritualism components of the great mystifier’s library. Beatrice Houdini received the Theater Collection, now at the University of Texas at Austin. Apparatus and other stage effects were bequeathed to Hardeen. As exemplified by the poster shown here, Hardeen used testamentary language in an effort to position himself as Houdini’s heir in magic. His role, however, was to remain “Brother of Houdini.” Often credited with having been the first to realize the dramatic potential of doing a straitjacket escape in full view of an audience, Hardeen, nevertheless, was not the creative, evolving, ego-driven force represented by his sibling. The riveting magic of Houdini came from within. Once he was gone, the presence of his apparatus spoke most eloquently about a greater absence–a legend who had fused mastery of detail with great showmanship, daring, imagination, and mystery.
Despite directions to the contrary, Hardeen passed on to others the legacy he had received. Today, many of the handcuffs and related items are held in the Houdini Historical Center located in the magician’s first American hometown–Appleton, Wisconsin. A fire, however, at the Houdini Museum and Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Canada consumed all but the metal frame of the prominently displayed Upside Down Water Torture Cell.