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Lot #843
Harry Houdini

Rare challenge from the escape artist’s 1913 European tour

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Estimate: $200+
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Description

Rare challenge from the escape artist’s 1913 European tour

Scarce original German flyer promoting a public stunt by Harry Houdini, one page, 9.5 x 6.5, October 22, 1913. The flyer is headed "Herausforderung der Krankenwarter an Houdini [Challenge the ambulance to Houdini!]," and reads, in part (roughly translated): "Mr. Houdini, here. We, the undersigned, are asking you to release yourself from a special coercive force. We will undress you, wrap you in two thick sheets, put them on a sickbed and tie them with four strong straps over your chest, hips, knees and ankles and then fasten them to the bedside. Over this your helpless and already tied shape we want to shed 10 to 20 buckets of water, to make a solution of knots directly impossible. We make the condition that if you accept this request, you must free yourself from the public eye, so do not use a canopy, curtain, etc. to prove that you are not working with accomplices, hidden sinking, etc." The flyer lists three attendants and continues: "Houdini accepts this challenge on the condition that forced coercion requires a medical practitioner to ensure that Houdini is not unnecessarily tormented and is not at risk of becoming anemic. This exciting experiment takes place Friday, October 24, 1913, in the evening, in the circus of the circus Corty-Althoff, Stuttgart." In fine condition, with a few short edge tears.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: August
  • Dates: #533 - Ended August 08, 2018