Description:

Houdini Harry

Harry "Handcuff" Houdini signed by his wife and stage assistant, Bess!

 

Harry Houdini publicity postcard with secretarial signature, likely in the hand of Bess Houdini, as "Harry Handcuff Houdini". Also inscribed "Boston, Apr. 6th 06" in top left corner. Postcard addressed to "Mrs. J.W. Shepard, 266 West Newton St., Boston Mass", postmarked from Boston on April 9, 1906, and bearing a canceled green 1 cent Benjamin Franklin stamp. In very good to near fine condition. A small area of loss located to the left of Houdini's head, and light expected wear verso. Postcard measures 3.25" x 5.5".

 

The postcard image, a black and white photograph of Houdini in a tuxedo, shows the Hungarian-American illusionist smiling enigmatically. The caption beneath the New York Telegraph photo credit reads "E.F. Albee has found in Houdini a drawing card of remarkable power. Not only has this fine performer attracted throngs to Keith's Theatre, but he has turned what is usually a sedate and highly amused audience into a yelling, cheering mob of men and women. Hundreds of people are turned away from the theatre at each of Houdini's performances."

 

In early April 1906, Houdini was in the middle of an extended tour of the Boston metropolitan area, as reported in the April 7, 1906 issue of Variety. His main performance venue was B.F. Keith's New Theatre, but he also performed in nearby Salem.  In mid-March 1906, Houdini escaped from the Boston Tombs, a municipal jail, after removing several sets of handcuffs and leg irons and making a secret getaway by car. Houdini jumped off Harvard Bridge into the Cambridge River in an one-piece red bathing costume and restraints on April 30, 1906. He performed multiple prison breaks and even escaped from a metal-strapped Witch's Chair during his Boston tour.

 

Harry Houdini (1874-1926) was a world-famous illusionist, stuntman, and entertainer. While by all accounts he wasn't that skilled at card tricks, Houdini excelled at performing escapes. Between 1899-1908, Handcuff Houdini relied on his audience-drawing prison breaks. Yet he was also buried alive, suspended over water tanks, sealed in milk cans, and interred in 500 lb. sea monster carcasses! Each time he triumphantly escaped.

 

Wilhelmina "Bess" Beatrice Rahner (1876-1943) acted as Houdini's stage assistant. She performed with her husband while traveling on tour, and cared for magic show animals, props, and costumes. Evidently Bess also performed many secretarial duties, including sending fan letters.

 

Edward Franklin Albee II (1857-1930) and Benjamin Franklin Keith (1846-1914) were business partners capitalizing on the demand for vaudeville entertainment  in turn-of-the-century Boston. B.F. Keith's New Theatre was a French Empire style multistoried building on Boston's Tremont Street; it later became a movie theater.

 

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