Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Wiljalba Frikell's final note

Our friend Eric Colleary has tweeted out this treasure from the Harry Ransom Center's Houdini collection. Can anyone tell us what this says?


Wiljalba Frikell was a famous magician before Houdini's time. It was Frikell, not Robert-Houdin, who first rejected wizard robes in favor of wearing evening dress. The young Houdini went to great lengths to visit the magician at his home in Kotchenbroda, Germany in 1903. But when Harry arrived, he found Frikell laying dead in his parlor, having suffered a heart attack just hours before.

Houdini at the Frikell home. (The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin)

I've always heard about this note, but have never actually seen it. Thank you Eric!

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