Geno Munari donates Houdini collection to Vanishing Inc charity fund (update)

Geno Munari, founder of Houdini's Magic Shop, has donated his Houdini collection to Vanishing Inc. Magic Fund aka ShareMagic. According to Vanishing Inc. co-founder Joshua Jay, the collection will be used "to create an unparalleled exhibition that will bring Houdini's legacy to life for generations to come." Full press release is below:

Vanishing Inc. Magic Fund Receives Donation of

Approximately $750,000 in Rare Houdini Memorabilia from Geno Munari

Collection contains Houdini’s handcuffs, straightjacket, posters, photos, props, and more.

SACRAMENTO, Calif (April 3, 2023) - The Vanishing Inc. Magic Fund, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization also known as ShareMagic, is pleased to announce that Geno Munari, the well-known magic historian and collector, donated a collection of rare Harry Houdini artifacts to the organization in December 2022. The donation has since been valued to be worth nearly $750,000 and will eventually be used to create a special exhibition.

The donated items include Houdini's personal letters, Houdini “challenge” leaflets, posters, and other one-of-a-kind memorabilia. One of the most noteworthy pieces are the remnants of Houdini’s Water Torture Cell (which was nearly completely destroyed by a fire). This prop was used in one of the most iconic and dangerous stunts in magic history, in which Houdini would suspend himself upside down and escape from a locked cabinet filled with water before drowning.

Andi Gladwin and Joshua Jay, cofounders of Vanishing Inc. and the Vanishing Inc. Magic Fund expressed their excitement and gratitude for the donation. "We are thrilled to receive such a significant donation from Geno Munari. Houdini's legacy is an important part of magic history, and having access to these iconic props and photos will allow magicians everywhere to learn from them and appreciate them,” said Gladwin.

Jay added, "As magicians and magic history enthusiasts ourselves, we are honored to be entrusted with these invaluable artifacts. Geno's generosity will eventually allow us to create an unparalleled exhibition that will bring Houdini's legacy to life for generations to come."

Started by Vanishing Inc., the world’s largest magic shop, the Vanishing Inc. Magic Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of magic history and culture. The organization provides support and resources to magicians and magic enthusiasts around the world through its educational programs, publications, and exhibitions.

For more information on Vanishing Inc. Magic Fund or to learn how you can support its mission, visit www.sharemagic.org.

UPDATE: I've heard this collection may have been destroyed in a catastrophic warehouse fire on June 6, 2024. According to Vanishing Inc.'s own account, the roof collapsed and nothing was salvageable. The Sacramento warehouse had been the company’s retail headquarters for more than a decade. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

At the moment, it's unclear if even a catalog of the collection survived, so we might never know exactly what was lost. But it's known Geno acquired many rarities from Sidney Radner. 

 

Related:

• "Houdini’s" will be new Disneyland magic shop
• Eric Olsen on restoring the Water Torture Cell
• Tour Houdini Art and Magic with Joshua Jay (Part 1)