In case you're wondering, this is not the same Buried Alive! poster that recently sold at Heritage Auction House. This poster comes from the private collection of David Haversat and is conserved on rice paper and canvas.
The auction description says that Houdini never performed his Buried Alive. This was the conventional thinking for many years, but Houdini did perform the effect at least once (more on that soon). He also appears to have conceived it as early as 1914.
The auction ends this Saturday April 5th at 5:00 PM EST. Click here to view all the auction lots.
UPDATE: The poster sold for $4,628.75.
John, if you're thinking about that escape Houdini planned where he was in a straight jacket, a sack, and a coffin in a big glass tank (that there was a poster for circa 1913-14,) Houdini never did that one. The poster that is up for auction is about the underwater tests.
ReplyDeleteOr have you additional info about the escape?
I don't think this is for the underwater tests. I think this is the same effect he first developed in 1914 and that he revived in '26. I think this because he's in a straitjacket in this poster. And look at the description in the 1926 Boston ad HERE: "Buried Alive under tons of sand." I think that's what this poster is advertising. That's my take on it at least.
DeleteAlthough, granted, the reference to "Egyptian Fakirs Outdone" is a nod to the Shelton test. It's doing double duty. Recalling recent headlines while advertising a new stage effect.
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