According to legend, Bess received the brooch from the Czar of Russia during Houdini's tour of the country in 1903 (but more on that below). There are several photos of Bess wearing the brooch, including this color photo and the famous portrait of the Houdinis on the right.
In the 1940s, Bess gave the brooch to Geraldine Larsen, wife of William Larsen, Sr., who was Bess's attorney. Bess helped "Gerri" form The Magigals, an organization devoted to female magicians, assistants, and wives of magicians. The Larsens sons, Bill Jr. and Milt, went on to found the Magic Castle. Milt's wife Arlene inherited the brooch and has wore it to Castle functions (where I've had the great pleasure of seeing it).
The brooch is now being sold to help fund the "Magic Castle Cabaret" in Santa Barbara, a new venture by Milt Larsen. The brooch has remained private, so this is the first opportunity for magic buffs to finally see this important Houdini artifact, not to mention own it!
News of the sale was released today in a press release put out by the Larsens via sites like Broadway World. Unfortunately, the press release contains a fair amount of mythology. Along with the claim that Bess received the brooch from the Czar himself (which we'll accept if Bess said it -- but know she was as prone to mythmaking as her husband), the release claims that Houdini was doing espionage as a member of the royal court before being undermined by the head of the Russian secret police. Oye.
While there are several fanciful stories about Houdini performing before Czar Nicholas II (ringing the bells of the Kremlin, etc.), there is no hard evidence that he ever did so. In Houdini!!! The Career of Ehrich Weiss, author Ken Silverman says Houdini planned to travel to St. Petersburg during his 1903 tour, but the engagement fell through when the manager who arranged it vanished.
Harry and Bess did give a private performance for the Grand Duke Sergei Alexsandrovich and the Grand Duchess in Moscow. It's said the duke gave them their dog "Charlie" as a gift. That, as far as I know, was the Houdinis only brush with Russian royalty.
The idea that Houdini was doing espionage during his time in Russia is pure speculation put forward in the sensationalistic 2006 biography The Secret Life of Houdini. While Hollywood has embraced this "Houdini as spy" narrative, most magic historians, including myself, remain highly skeptical.
As auction time nears, I'm sure Potter & Potter will clarify the facts behind Bess Houdini's Royal Crown Brooch in their own auction listing. But this is definitely going to be one to watch!
Gerri Larsen and Arlene Larsen wearing the Royal Crown Brooch.
Potter & Potter's Spring Magic Auction will contain "a strong selection of Houdini-related material, including personal family photographs, documents, movie-related memorabilia, and letters." Last week the auction house sold a Houdini Water Torture Cell poster for a record price.
Thanks to Dick Brookz at the Houdini Museum for the alert.
UPDATE: Bessie's brooch pins down $72,000 at auction.
UPDATE 2: I've found a 1952 newspaper clipping about Gerrie Larsen which states Houdini received the brooch from the Grand Duke, not Czar Nicholas II.
Related:
I was always surprised that Bess gave away her brooch. She seemed to have liked it well enough to have worn it in so many photos, and if Harry really called her his queen, there was probably some sentimental value as well. Maybe she figured it was better off being passed on and enjoyed than being thrown out after her death.
ReplyDelete-Meredith
One wonders if it wasn't surrendered as payment for a debt for Larsen's legal services. While she lived in relative comfort with the aid of Ed Saint, Bess was by no means wealthy enough to bestow extravagant gifts upon anyone, unless, if course, the metal and stones in the piece are not real.
ReplyDeleteBess and the Larsens were very close. She loved Gerri. Bess wrote intros to both of Gerri's books and in one she says Bill and Gerri reminded her of Harry and herself when they were young. Bess knew her days were coming to an end, and she gave away a lot of things. I could see her passing this treasured brooch off to Gerri.
ReplyDeleteGerri was not only a delightful and charming performer, she was a gracious friend of magic. One of my treasures is Adelaide Herrmann's Coach Cup given to me by Gerri. It had been given to her by Silent Mora who had received it from his friend Adelaide Herrmann. (See Milt's book, 'Hollywood Illusion p.188) Like her illustrious predecessors, she too, enjoyed presenting her treasures to her friends. It has been a pleasure having known her and be considered a friend. Gerri, you will always be a bright star in our memories.
DeleteJames
It may have also been a bit of both. Bill Sr. probably didn't want to charge Bess for his legal services and she felt obligated to give the brooch to his wife. As John noted, she was also getting up there in age and was divesting herself of her belongings.
ReplyDeleteWell whats the pregame estimate?? 20K
ReplyDeleteGuess we won't know until we see the actual auction listing. 20K sounds possible.
DeleteIt's up on the Live Auctioneers site at an opening bid of $15,000.
ReplyDelete$70K to David Copperfield
ReplyDelete$72K with buyer's premium. DC later sold it to Randy Pitchford
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