Jim Bentley selling Houdini handcuff collection

Jim Bentley channeling Houdini.

Jim Bentley, a true legend of the Houdini world (he had played Houdini on stage and on TV numerous times), is selling his amazing collection of Houdini handcuffs and locks. The collection including working replicas of Houdini's Mirror Handcuff, the French Letter Cuff, and the Russian Manacle. These were made by master locksmith Ian McColl for the 1998 TNT biopic Houdini. The collection also includes genuine handcuffs from Houdini's time, and an assortment of antique locks and restraints.

The entire collection is housed in two cases which are themselves beautiful replicas the Houdini display cases made for the 1953 Houdini movie, and now part of the David Copperfield Collection. Jim also has letters and material related to the creation of the Houdini cuffs for the TNT movie, along with other Houdini related movie material.

Below are photos of the cases as they were recently displayed at the Malibu Playhouse during the run of Flim Flam: Houdini and the Hereafter.

Johnathon Schaech models the McColl/Bentley cuffs in Houdini (1998).

Jim would like to keep the collection together if he can. This is a very rare chance to own an amazing collection of handcuffs, and also a good way to help out Jim and his lovely wife Suzanne at a time when they could use some assistance.

If you are interested, email Jim at jbmagic123@gmail.com.