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| The Milk Can arrives in Chicago for Magic. Photo by Enrique Gonzalez |
The Milk Can is from the collection of the American Museum of Magic in Marshall, Michigan. While it has long been touted as a "Houdini Milk Can", I've often wondered if it's not actually Hardeen's Milk Can. It certainly resembles the Hardeen Can.
But whether the Can belonged to Houdini or Hardeen, it's still a wonderful magic artifact and a must see.
When Bob Lund talked about how he was able to get the can, he told the story of a man named Marty Sunshine watched a show starring Hardeen and a Julious Proskower(I hope that is spelled right).
ReplyDeleteHardeen claimed Proskower was going to attempt to escape from Houdinis milk can. During the show there was a problem and the trick was exposed.
Sunshine had words with Hardeen, who afterwards offered the can for sale. Sunshine purchased 2 cans, the over board packing box, the brass tubs for holding hot water for the water cell, to named
a few. Later on he also purchased Hardeens can.
Hardeens can was sold to Don Hines, and the rest to Robert Lund.
About a year after Mr Lunds death, I came across an article written in 1928 where Hardeen mentions that he was having 2 new cans made just for this act with Proskower. Thus to me they are both Hardeen cans.
Jon Oliver
Interesting. Thank you, Jon.
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