Harry Houdini Magic File

Magician and escape artist, Harry Houdini was born as Ehrich Weisz in Budapest, Hungary on March 24, 1874. After his father took him to see Dr. Lynn, a traveling magician, Houdini's interest in performing soon consumed him. After happening upon a book entitled The Memoirs of Robert-Houdin, Ambassador, Author, and Conjuror, Written by Himself., Houdini added an i to his name and assumed the name that would go down in history. Houdini was soon escaping from numerous devices, including leg irons, coffins, straitjackets, and prison cells. Unliked other magicians, Houdini began to make his escapes in full view of the audience, increasing the drama. Harry Houdini died from peritonitis on October 31 1926. File contains bibliographic and biographical notes, theatre programs, leaflets, correspondence and press cuttings.