The Houdini Historical Center newsletter was looking for a new name when this third issue was released in 1992. The newsletter asked members to choose from the choices: The Mystifier, Escape, Metamorphosis, Off the Cuff, Houdiniana, On Stage, Stage, Cuff and Key, Houdini Unlocked, or The Challenge. Which did they choose? You'll have to wait until the next issue or find out!
But the real focus of this issue was "Houdini's Trunk No. 8." This was the trunk that traveled with Houdini and contained all his tools and "wherewithal for any sort of escape." The contents of the trunk were donated to the museum by Dr. Morris N. Young, and the newsletter contains a lengthy article by Young penned for the December 1951 MUM describing in detail how he acquired the trunk from Hardeen's widow and its contents.
A search through the drawers revealed in orderly placement what proved to be mainly hardware supplies. No doubt the assemblage of materials represented years of trial and experience in being prepared for any contingency anywhere, anytime. There had to be no dependency on local shops or fancies, and secrets could not be revealed indirectly through purchase of specific supplies.
A second article by Ken Silverman called "More Houdini Trunks" discusses a written inventory of what Houdini's other traveling trunks contained, including a breakdown of Milk Cans he was using in England in February 1911:
He had with him in England no fewer than four cans, described in the inventory as one "1910 New York Can," one "Dunston Challenge Can," one "Gamage Can," and one "Can 1910 unprepaired [sic]."
New items added to the HHC gift shop are discussed, including a glass etched Houdini portrait set on a walnut base with back lighting. Houdini's 1925 Christmas card is also reproduced.
The newsletter concludes with a pitch for donations.
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Volume 2, Number 2
Second Quarter, 1992
6 pages
Contents:
Houdini's Tools on Display
Trunk No. 8
More on Trunks
Magic Items for Sale
Queries
Backstage with Sid Radner
Window Open for Donations
Related:
- Delving into The Mystifier file
- Moving the Milk Can
- Houdini traveling trunk arrives in the Copperfield collection
When this newsletter would arrive in the mail, I always went straight for the Sid Radner column. He was always so passionate about communicating and preserving Houdini's legacy and sharing his knowledge and collection. Connecting with other people who were obsessed with Houdini was infinitely slower since the internet was still in its infancy. The HHC was also my source for Houdini posters (no Ebay); aside from the King of Cards poster they were not easy to find in magic shops.
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Sid's column was also where one would learn about what was upcoming -- new movies, plays, books, exhibitions. He had his finger on the pulse of the Houdini world. Although sometimes he would tease more that tell. But Sid's column was were Houdini lived, and it was an inspiration for what I try to do here.
DeleteYes, you are definitely continuing the tradition! And it's great to get a daily Houdini fix as opposed to quarterly!
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