Sunday, June 2, 2019

Magic wand made of wood from Houdini's house

My recent post about the availability of wood lath from Houdini's New York home (278) proved to be wildly successful. Many Houdini buffs were able to get authentic pieces of Houdini's house, and in doing so helped fund the ongoing restoration.

Among those who took away a load of lath was Houdini fan and woodworker Barry Spector, who I had the pleasure of meeting at the 278 open house in 2017. As thanks, Barry sent me this magic wand made from the 120-year-old wood. How cool is this?


Barry tells me this is Wand #1. I'm not sure if he has plans to make more. However, he is working on a few more projects with the wood that he'll share with us in time.

Thanks to Barry and everyone who have helped in the restoration of Houdini's 278.

UPDATE: If you're interested in a wand Barry can be contacted at negrilman15@gmail.com.

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43 comments:

  1. ColleenJune 2, 2019 at 8:36 AM

    What a creative and special treasure!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Roger WoodsJune 2, 2019 at 9:44 AM

    That's great. What a wanderful momento!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John CoxJune 2, 2019 at 3:12 PM

      Haha. It took a few reads to see what you did there. :p

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJune 2, 2019 at 9:46 AM

    Beautiful work Barry! We are grateful and really enjoyed the enthusiasm of the Houdini community- there are a few people who requested a couple of pieces of lath we still need to mail to. Not to worry- we just have been buried with work but will get these out shortly.

    ReplyDelete
  4. BarryJune 2, 2019 at 10:42 AM

    I made 2 wands before i got distracted by a far more ambitious HH project. If there is interest i may make additional wands. My first big project is finished. Its gonna surprise!

    ReplyDelete
  5. John Hinson great nephew of bess and harry HoudiniJune 2, 2019 at 11:01 AM

    What a nice piece of history to have.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BarryJune 2, 2019 at 3:11 PM

      Hello Mr Hinson,
      It would be an honor to make a wand for you

      Delete
  6. Mike Rose MagicJune 2, 2019 at 7:30 PM

    What a great idea! I would love one of these wands as well. If you do decide to make more please put me on the list.

    ReplyDelete
  7. rkritchieJune 3, 2019 at 2:57 AM

    Sure, I would be interested. Very nice work. Please let me know if you will be making these available. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownJune 3, 2019 at 12:40 PM

    I would be interested in a few wands (one for me, two others for friends) if your going to be making more please send me info. ithaz4535@yahoo.com thanks

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownJune 3, 2019 at 3:42 PM

    I am the producer of The Grim Game and would love one.

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownJune 4, 2019 at 12:30 PM

    The restoration, 2015

    ReplyDelete
  11. goldiniiJune 7, 2019 at 2:19 AM

    Sign me up as well.......

    ReplyDelete
  12. BarryJune 7, 2019 at 1:58 PM

    Hi guys,
    I start shipping next week. I have a fun surprise for Johns readers who order. Negrilman15@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Leo HeviaJune 13, 2019 at 6:20 PM

    Ordered mine with black tips. What an amazing connection to old Harry.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Leo HeviaJune 26, 2019 at 8:52 PM

    Wand #19 landed my way and it's a beauty. The wood has an old attic smell to it. Feels like a part of Harry is with me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John CoxJune 26, 2019 at 10:48 PM

      Oh, wow, I love that. The smell, yes. That's a part of the bones of 278 you are holding in your hands. It's just magnificent, isn't it?

      Delete
    2. Leo HeviaJune 27, 2019 at 7:45 AM

      Indeed it is magnificent! Ever since I discovered HH in 1976, I would have never imagined owning a piece of 278. And turned into a magic wand, not just a piece of wood.

      After opening the package, I immediately sniffed it from one end to the other, like a Havana cigar. The old wood smell transported me to the dark mysterious corridors of 278.

      Delete
  15. KeithJuly 2, 2019 at 11:15 AM

    I would also love a wand
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  16. BarryJuly 2, 2019 at 1:05 PM

    Keith,
    Contact me at negrilman15@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. MormonYoYoMan@gmail.comJuly 9, 2019 at 5:18 AM

    Price? Obviously priceless, but we Ancients have to budget.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Amazed and confusedJuly 10, 2019 at 11:55 AM

    Please add me to the list of wand purchasers; if I'm not too late to the party.

    Let me know the price and how to pay. Email me at cbobchin@gmail.com.

    thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barry N SpectorJuly 15, 2019 at 2:20 PM

      Contact me at negrilman15@gmail.com

      Delete
  19. Amazed and confusedJuly 18, 2019 at 5:45 PM

    Just got mine in the mail today. Beautiful. Thank you Barry for making it, and John for getting the ball rolling on this project.

    I now have a very unique piece of Houdiniana. Something I've wanted for almost 50 years.

    ReplyDelete
  20. UnknownJune 1, 2020 at 11:52 AM

    I would like one if you. Still have any.

    Thank you
    John Custer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John CoxJune 2, 2020 at 11:21 AM

      I don't know if Barry had any more, but you should send him an email. His address is there in the "Update" at the end of the story.

      Delete
    2. Barry SpectorJune 10, 2020 at 4:36 PM

      JOHN CUSTER contact me negrilman15@gmail.com

      Delete
  21. Leo HeviaJune 2, 2020 at 4:28 AM

    Sadly--that delicious musty old NY townhouse wood smell eventually dissipated from my wand. It was wonderful while it lasted and conjured up the ghost of HH.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John CoxJune 2, 2020 at 11:20 AM

      Yours had a smell? Mine didn't. I also have several pieces of raw wood and I've not picked up a smell off those either. But maybe you have a better nose than me. :)

      Delete
    2. Leo HeviaJune 2, 2020 at 6:23 PM

      Yeah--it had a nice old musty attic smell. That same odor when you walk into the attic of an old house. It didn't last long and the wand eventually gave no odor. It was almost like being transported to 278 while it lasted.

      Delete
    3. Barry SpectorJune 10, 2020 at 4:34 PM

      Hey Leo, I have lots of fresh Houdini wood dust and chips if you need some.i usually just use it to smoke my honeybees

      Delete
    4. Leo HeviaJune 30, 2020 at 10:45 AM

      Thanks for the offer Barry! But you need those wood chips to smoke your honeybees. What is that btw?

      Delete
    5. John CoxJune 30, 2020 at 12:05 PM

      You know, that would be a cool thing to do at an official Houdini seance. Ignite a little kettle of Houdini wood chips on the table for smoke.

      Ok, new project! Little packs of Houdini wood chips and dust. Or maybe mixed into candles! (I'm actually serious.)

      Delete
    6. Leo HeviaJune 30, 2020 at 5:11 PM

      278 candles! After lighting one you get that old house, attic wood scent. Like being inside 278.

      Delete
  22. UnknownJune 29, 2020 at 2:50 PM

    Would very mush like to purchase one of these wands or to be put on the waiting list please
    Many Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  23. MattZOctober 20, 2024 at 8:54 PM

    does anyone actually have a picture of the wand "Hindu Wand" that Brema of Philadelphia made? for Houdini? i saw it referenced in Houdini on magic by Gibson/Young

    ReplyDelete

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