Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Pawn Stars straitjacket hits eBay

The Houdini straitjacket authenticated by magician Murray Sawchuck on last night's episode of Pawn Stars has hit eBay with an asking price of $149,000.


I'll leave it to others to debate whether this really is the jacket we see in the photo above, but the claim that there are only three known jackets isn't quite right. Both Murray and the seller seem to have forgotten about the jacket that belongs to collector Arthur Moses -- currently on view in the Skirlball Center's Houdini Art and Magic exhibition -- which is in this same style. I was also a little bothered by the fact that they kept calling Hardeen (who gave the jacket to the seller's grandfather) "Theo Houdini".

Nevertheless, Murray did a good job identifying the jacket by matching specific stitching and rivets visible in the photo, so this is intriguing. I'll be curious to see what happens.

The owner refused the Pawn Stars offer of $25,000.

UPDATE: Houdini straitjacket still looking for a buyer.

UPDATE 2: SOLD! Houdini straitjacket captures $46,980 at Christie's.
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18 comments:

  1. CarnegieMay 10, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    I missed the episode! But thanks for posting the picture and the information here. Sure looks like the same style.

    ReplyDelete
  2. melboMay 10, 2011 at 12:06 PM

    Unbelievable ... and yes they could have got the name right!

    ReplyDelete
  3. CarnegieMay 13, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Just saw the episode. I'm not familiar with Houdini doing the straightjacket escape in front of the Library of Congress. I do know two locations here in D.C. where the Upside down straightjacket escape was done, but never heard of the Library of Congress one.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 16, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    Hi guys, I was the guy on the show and am the owner of the straight jacket, if you have any questions I can be reached at wcrocker56@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousApril 23, 2023 at 2:06 PM

      I'm glad you refused there offer.I am watching it as I speak and wanted to look up where it went.Congratulations!!

      Delete
  5. AnonymousMay 23, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    I'm trying to look for the episode can't find it which one is it ??

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  6. John CoxMay 24, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    It's called "The Great Escape". Doesn't look like it's online at the History Channel website anymore. Maybe HULU?

    ReplyDelete
  7. John CoxAugust 24, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Can anyone tell me why this post getting so many hits today? Not that I'm complaining -- I love the traffic -- just curious. Are we linked somewhere new? Or maybe they repeated this episode last night?

    ReplyDelete
  8. John CoxAugust 24, 2011 at 8:56 AM

    Yes, it must have repeated. All the hits are coming via Google searches.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMarch 20, 2012 at 5:10 PM

    i drew whodinis pictures and that jacket is just like it

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  10. AnonymousJuly 17, 2014 at 9:57 AM

    so the show just aired again this is awesome does anyone have anymore info now?

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  11. AnonymousJanuary 15, 2015 at 1:50 PM

    Episode on right now

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2017 at 6:41 AM

    And, it's on once again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John CoxSeptember 7, 2017 at 8:22 AM

      I can always tell when it repeats because I get a wave of hits on the old posts. The link in "update 2" is want most land on -- news of its sale for $46,980 at a Christie's auction in 2011.

      Delete
  13. ReaperZAugust 23, 2018 at 7:28 AM

    On again 8 years later lol 😀

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownSeptember 19, 2021 at 10:06 PM

    It's on again

    ReplyDelete
  15. John CoxSeptember 20, 2021 at 8:41 AM

    Houdini shows up in the latest season, but I've not seen it yet.

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousDecember 10, 2023 at 10:44 AM

    So glad the owner held strong not giving it to the pawn shop.

    ReplyDelete