This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/8/2023
HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 – 1926). Houdini In the Straitjacket. Pictorial Broadside. Cologne: Franz Greven, ca. 1904. Pictorial letterpress broadside for an appearance at the Reichshallen, Cologne (formerly the Circus Carré), with Houdini “the escape artist” presenting a challenge escape from a straitjacket for the sum of 1000 Marks. A bust portrait sketch of the magician appears at the top, with a photomontage of Houdini posing in the jacket in the lower half of the poster. 23 ¾ x 12 ¼”. Affixed to a board, shellacked, chipped; sold as-is. It was not until 1915 that Houdini presented his suspended upside-down straitjacket escape; his early performances on stage were first presented with the magician inside a curtained cabinet. Later, he discovered that writhing on the floor as he freed himself from the restraint created more drama and tension for the audience. In this broadside he agrees to forfeit 1000 German Marks – a substantial sum – if he failed to release himself.