The Great Harry Houdini 
Vol I. No. 1. 
Cents Copy 

March 24, 1874, Budapest, Hungary - October 31, 1926, Detroit, Michigan, US

Born Erik Weisz in Hungary, known as Harry Houdini, was one of the most famous magicians and entertainers in history. Immigrating to the United States with his family as a child, he later adopted the stage name Harry Houdini.

Houdini hangs from the L.A. Examiner bldg

Houdini's career took off after he began performing daring escape acts and illusionary feats, earning him the nickname "The Handcuff King" and "The World's Greatest Escape Artist". Throughout his career, he challenged authorities to restrain him with increasingly complex devices, seemingly impossible situations, such as straitjackets, handcuffs, and even underwater restraints – always managing to break free.

Houdini performing his handcuff escape

Houdini performing his handcuff escape

The day when Harry Houdini almost died during handcuff stunt in Blackburn

“My brain is the key that sets me free.”

Not only was Houdini the highest-paid performer in the United States during his era, but he also delved into various other pursuits. He ventured into silent film acting, authored books, harbored a fascination with aviation, served as the president of the Society of American Magicians, and notably, was a skeptic of mediums and an active debunker of spiritualists.

“Never tell the audience how good you are, they will soon find out for themselves.”

Rabbit Entertain Five Hospitalized Children (1925)
Rabbit Entertain Five Hospitalized Children (1925)
 ~ posterazzi.com
Fundraising 

Our fundraising call for Houdini birthplace memorial in Budapest.

We aim to install a memorial plaque at the downtown Budapest building where Houdini was born, commemorating one of the greatest illusionists in history. The design and size of the plaque will be determined by the funds raised; should the collected amount fall short, we'll opt for a smaller, but equally meaningful plaque. After our campaign our fundraisers will be displayed on this website.

~ I want to help ~

Houdini was not only a renowned illusionist, but also a passionate advocate for the art of magic.

Houdini performing his handcuff escape

Houdini performing the suspended straight jacket escape

Houdini became renowned for several daring escapes throughout his career, including the Daily Mirror challenge, the Milk Can Escape, the Chinese Water Torture Cell, the Straitjacket Escape, and the Buried Alive stunt.

“The secret of showmanship consists not of what you really do, but what the mystery-loving public thinks you do.”

“Anyone who believes in magic is a fool.”

Houdini performing his handcuff escapePhotograph of Houdini, signed to Harry Price
Photograph of Houdini, signed to Harry Price (1921)
 ~ Senate House Library | University of London
Houdini performing his handcuff escape
Archive poster
 ~ Library of Congress
State of the Art Mentalism Magic 

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Houdini was born as Erik Weisz to a Jewish family, he was one of seven children.

Almassy Square, Budapest, around 1894
Almassy Square, Budapest, around 1894. In the middle of it stands the corner building, which today bears the number 1 Csengery Street. Csengery street used to be Rakos-arok street, whose name appears in Houdini's birth certificate.
 ~ Budapest City Archives
Chain Bridge in Budapest around 1870
Chain Bridge in Budapest around 1870, circa 30 minute walk from Houdini birthplace. Although Houdini claimed to have been born on April 6, 1874 in Appleton, Wisconsin (USA), he actually was born in Budapest, Hungary
 ~ Budapest City Archives
The Early Years
 ~ YouTube

The Weisz family moved with the 4 year old Erik from the old continent to America, landed on July 3, 1878, for a better life.

The family changed their name to the German spelling Weiss, and Erik became Ehrich.

Houdini's mother, Cecelia Steiner Weiss (1842-1913)
Houdini's mother, Cecelia Steiner Weiss (1842-1913)
 ~ A blog by Houdini expert John Cox
Rabbi Mayer Samuel Weiss
The father, Rabbi Mayer Samuel Weiss, in lawyer's gown (1829-1892)
 ~ The houdini file
The 3-years-old Erik in 1877 with his sister
The 3-years-old Erik in 1877 with his sister
 ~ Houghton Library, Harvard University
Age 8 (1882)
Age 8 (1882)
 ~ Houghton Library, Harvard University

Facing severe financial difficulties, the family's children took on employment to contribute to the family's upkeep. Houdini himself engaged in various odd jobs such as selling newspapers, shining shoes, and running errands.

When he was nine years old, Houdini and a group of friends set up a five-cent circus, where he sported red woolen stockings and adopted the moniker "Ehrich, Prince of the Air." By the age of eleven, he had begun working as an apprentice locksmith.

Houdini Brought Back to Life: A Deepfake Encounter
 ~ YouTube

When he was fifteen years old, Houdini stumbled upon the magician's book, "Memoirs of Robert-Houdin", written by himself. Captivated by its contents, he stayed up all night reading it.

Houdini would later attribute his profound passion for magic to this pivotal literary discovery, he began calling himself "Houdini" incorrectly believing that an i at the end of a name meant "like" in French. However, "i" at the end of the name means "belong to" in Hungarian.

The Secret Life of Houdini | History's Greatest Mysteries
 ~ YouTube
The Spirit of Harry invited us to create this memorial page to inspire future generations. 

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In 1887, Rabbi Weiss moved with Erik to New York City, where they lived in a boarding house on East 79th Street. He was joined by the rest of the family once Rabbi Weiss found permanent housing. As a child, Erik Weiss took several jobs, making his public début as a nine-year-old trapeze artist, calling himself "Ehrich, the Prince of the Air".

cross-country runner
He was rated one of the strongest cross-country runners
 ~ A blog by Houdini expert John Cox
cross-country runner
Young Harry, the Athlete (1890)
 ~ Alamy Stocks

“Keep up your enthusiasm! There is nothing more contagious than exuberant enthusiasm.”

Harry Houdini
Houdini in a deepfake animation

In 1891, the Brothers Houdini showcased their repertoire of card tricks, coin manipulations, and vanishing acts at Huber’s Museum in New York City, as well as at Coney Island during the summer months. By 1893, the Brothers Houdini secured a performance slot outside the World's Fair in Chicago. During this time, Hyman departed from the act, and Houdini's actual brother, Theo ("Dash"), stepped in as his replacement.

Tales of Bizarre and Brazen Harry Houdini Exploits
 ~ YouTube
Houdini: Unlocking the Mystery
Houdini: Unlocking the Mystery
Houdini performs a rope escape
Houdini performs a rope escape, left, and a card trick in these undated photos.
 ~ mprnews.org

“Failure is not the end, but rather a stepping stone on the path to success.”

Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini – Escape Artist and Marketing Genius
 ~ YouTube

A romance blossomed between the 20-year-old Houdini and 18-year-old Wilhelmina Beatrice (“Bess”) Rahner, who was part of the singing and dancing duo known as the Floral Sisters. After a three-week courtship, she and Houdini married, with Bess replacing Dash in the act, which became known as "The Houdinis". For the rest of Houdini's performing career, Bess worked as his stage assistant.

Houdini: Unlocking the Mystery
Poster Of The Houdinis Performing Metamorphosis
 ~ Posterazzi.com

“An old trick well done is far better than a new trick with no effect.”

Harry Houdini
Houdini: Unlocking the Mystery
Houdini was a master mind of building publicity, a relentless self-promoter
 ~ Remastered by Carlos Diaz
Houdini was a great writer too
Houdini was a great writer too, Strange Tales is a collection of fictions

“Never try to fool children, they expect nothing, and therefore see everything...”

Harry Houdini
Houdini's own introductory words for the famous Water Torture Cell act from 1914
Diving into the Chinese water torture chamber
Diving into the Chinese water torture chamber
 ~ Photo Source: Wikimedia
The water torture cell escape was arguably Houdini’s most memorable stunt. Here is a video to explain the myth behind.

In the spring of 1900, at the age of 26, Houdini, radiating confidence under the moniker "The King of Handcuffs," set out for Europe with hopes of achieving success. His inaugural destination was London, where he graced the stage of the Alhambra Theater. During his time there, Houdini faced a challenge to free himself from Scotland Yard’s handcuffs. True to form, he successfully escaped, drawing crowds to the theater every night for months on end.

The Secret Life of Houdini
The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero
Houdini portrait
Like a modern advertisement
 ~ smithsonianmag.com
How Did Harry Houdini Escape From A Locked Russian Prison Carette?
 ~ YouTube
Bess & Harry
The young couple, Bess & Harry worked as The Houdinis for several years before Houdini hit it big as The Handcuff King. But he and Bess continued to occasionally perform their signature trick, Metamorphosis, throughout his career.

“I always have on my mind the thought that next year I must do something greater, something more wonderful.”

Harry Houdini
Houdini with his mother and wife
“My Two Sweethearts” – Houdini with his mother and wife, Beatrice (circa 1907)
 ~ Wikimedia
Houdini doing card trick
Playing with cards
Houdini poster archive
Houdini poster archive
Harry Houdini makes first controlled airplane flight in Australia - 1910
 ~ YouTube
Houdini chinese torture chamber poster
A poster remake
 ~ movieposters.com
The Legendary Straight Jacket Escape (1914)

“To be a great magician, you must master the art of misdirection.”

Harry Houdini
Houdini poster archive
Harry Houdini on a US postcard from 1914
Man Sent To Prison, But Escapes In Just 5 Minutes

Houdini became renowned for several daring escapes throughout his career, including the Daily Mirror challenge, the Milk Can Escape, the Chinese Water Torture Cell, the Straitjacket Escape, and the Buried Alive stunt.

The master mystery
The Master Mystery is a 1918 American mystery silent serial film told in 15 installments, starring Houdini. His showmanship did not translate in film, and his movies proved to be failures.
Houdini Bridge Jump with Handcuff Escape in Rochester, NY
 ~ YouTube

“I am not an irretrievable skeptic. I am not hopelessly prejudiced. I am perfectly willing to believe, and my mind is wide open; but I have, as yet, to be convinced. I am perfectly willing, but the evidence must be sane and conclusive.”

Harry Houdini
poster of the Master of Mystery
Vintage Movie poster for The Master of Mystery - circa 1919
 ~ Fine Art America

Houdini was not only a renowned illusionist but also a passionate advocate for the art of magic. He played a pivotal role in its founding and early years of The Society of American Magicians (SAM), served as its first president and was instrumental in shaping its mission to promote the art of magic, foster good-fellowship among magicians, and uphold ethical standards within the profession.

The Man who fooled Houdini, who claimed that, if he watched any illusion for 3 times, he could figure it out. Not until his 'merry meeting' with The Professor Dai Vernon...
 ~ YouTube
Archive poster
Archive poster
The Grim Game poster
The Grim Game is a 1919 American silent drama starring Harry Houdini
Houdini Straightjacket Escape - Houston Texas (1923)
 ~ YouTube

“What the eyes sees, the ear hears, and the mind believes.”

Harry Houdini
Houdini underwater rope escape
Archive poster
Archive poster
Harry Houdini’s 400 year-old Magic Book
Harry Houdini’s 400 year-old Magic Book!
 ~ Instagram
Was Houdini's Mystifying Magic ACTUALLY Real?
 ~ YouTube
The Life And Magic Of The Real Harry Houdini
Houdini documentary by PBS
 ~ YouTube
Rabbit Entertain Five Hospitalized Children (1925)
Rabbit Entertain Five Hospitalized Children (1925)
 ~ Posterazzi

“The greatest escape I ever made was when I left Appleton, Wisconsin.”

Harry Houdini
The Suspicious Death Of Harry Houdini
 ~ YouTube
Houdini's death certificate
Death certificate
 ~ michiganology.org
Houdini's grave
Given that Houdini spent a considerable portion of his life performing in New York City, it's rather unsurprising that his ultimate resting spot was the Jewish Machpelah Cemetery in Queens.
 ~ findagrave.com
How He Died and Getting Lost in a Cemetery – A Walk in the Machpelah Cemetery
 ~ YouTube

“No performer should attempt to bite off red-hot iron unless he has a good set of teeth.”

Harry Houdini
Books About Houdini and by Houdini
Fundraising 

Our fundraising call for Houdini birthplace memorial in Budapest.

We aim to install a memorial plaque at the downtown Budapest building where Houdini was born, commemorating one of the greatest illusionists in history. The design and size of the plaque will be determined by the funds raised; should the collected amount fall short, we'll opt for a smaller, but equally meaningful plaque. After our campaign our fundraisers will be displayed on this website.

~ I want to help ~

LifeofHoudini.com endeavors to honor the legacy of one of the most remarkable illusionists in human history, on the occasion of the artist's 150th birthday.

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