My recent post about How "The Houdinis" became "Houdini" has raised the question of exactly when Houdini adopted his famous "King of Handcuffs" moniker. Some say it was Martin Beck who came up with the name when he signed Houdini to his Oprheum circut in 1899. Bill Kalush in The Secret Life of Houdini Laid Bare states that Houdini first used the billing in Joplin, Missouri in May 1898 (actually, the book contains a typo, 1889, which is impossible as Houdini was still Ehrich Weiss in 1889).
But now Joe Notaro has found an even earlier mention in The Columbus Daily Advocate for Tuesday, December 28, 1897. This was when Harry and Bess were traveling with the California Concert Co., a medicine show headed by "Dr." Thomas Hill that played the midwest.
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| Columbus Daily Advocate, December 28, 1897. |
So is this the earliest use of "King of Handcuffs"? It certainly is a strong candidate. Bruce MacNab, an authority on Houdini's early career and the author of The Metamorphosis: The Apprenticeship of Harry Houdini, says that he has not come across anything earlier.
The "King of Handcuffs" billing shows up again in May 1898 when the Houdinis are performing with the Welsh Bros. Circus. After Houdini signs with Martin Beck in March 1899, it becomes almost standard.
Interestingly, the same article says Houdini is also known as "the Needle King," in reference to his East Indian Needle trick. That one didn't stick.
So for the moment, it appears December 28, 1897 is indeed the earliest mention of Houdini as the "King of Handcuffs." It also proves that it was Houdini who came up with the name before Martin Beck came along and helped make it world famous.
Thanks to Joe Notaro and Bruce MacNab.
Related:
Interesting! Do you suppose Houdini was inspired by his friend T. Nelson Downs who billed himself as King of Koins?
ReplyDeleteHadn't Houdini called himself the King of Cards before this?
ReplyDeleteYes, on that famous poster. But I don't recall ever seeing it mentioned in print.
DeleteHoudini had been called the "Needle King" as early as Aug 20 1899 (Chicago), but was not the first to perform under that name. Maxey the Needle King was active from 1890 to 1909, and Prof Harry Hall used the name in 1897. Others used the name on into the 1920s and beyond (Hagar, Howard, Mons. Aguille, Yousouf, Signor Tomasso, Prof. James, Amadeo, Agronelli, Morrill, Harry Usher, etc.) Most did the needle trick, but some were human pincushions, etc.
ReplyDeleteInteresting stuff as aways, Bill. Thanks.
DeleteThe King of Handcuffs doesn't work. Not only was Houdini adopting T. Nelson Downs' trademark, Downs had done the handcuff act before Houdini did.
ReplyDeleteBut "the Handcuff King" works. Did the Marion County Herald give Houdini the title that would make him famous?
That's interesting Patrick. I wasn't aware that Downs did a handcuff act. I know that he owned a large set of keys to open manacles that he purchased from a magic dealer.
ReplyDeleteI got all excited by your article with what I thought were some pretty cool connections to Ohio. Unfortunately, the Columbus Daily Advocate was not Columbus, Ohio and the Marion County Herald was not from Marion County, Ohio. Oh well, HH nuts from those areas can rejoice. Still a pretty cool article.
ReplyDelete--Dale from Ohio