The magician speaks

Like finding new photos, I love finding a new quotes from Houdini that reveal him in some unique way. Here's a quote from a 1925 letter. It not all that often we hear Houdini talk about himself as a magician, so this is pretty cool.

"You see a trick when performed by an ordinary magician is not the same in my hands. I weave an air of romance and mystery about it and it appears in a different light, for example my card star trick, silk trick, fish bowl stack, and even Palagenesia, so when I get hold of the effect I will see what I can do with it. Remember I try out lots of tricks and throw them away."

Speaking of Houdini the magician, here's something I recently found; a 1906 lesson by Houdini on how to tie a one-hand knot ("one of my most baffling feats").

Click to enlarge.

Below are a few more memorable Houdini quotes.

Related:

• "Come up and see me magisch."
• "I'm not an advertiser, I'm news."
• "It's not egotism, Hilliar; it's Houdini-ism."