Thanks! I'd forgotten he gave his magic collection to LC. The article by Leonard Beck is an excellent summary. The best biography to read is William Kalush and Larry Sloman, "The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero" (Atria Books, 2006). I also have a rare little booklet about the hoax cooked up by Bess Houdini and medium Arthur Ford to keep Houdini's name alive by claiming that Ford delivered a message, agreed upon by Harry and Bess while he was still alive, so that she would know there was a life after death. Ralph G. Pressing, "Houdini Unmasked: Code Message Received" (Daily News, Lily Dale, NY, 1947).
That video is fascinating. I never knew how many tricks he mastered and how hugely popular he was. It is nice that his book collection will live on as a reminder of him.
Thanks! I'd forgotten he gave his magic collection to LC. The article by Leonard Beck is an excellent summary. The best biography to read is William Kalush and Larry Sloman, "The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero" (Atria Books, 2006). I also have a rare little booklet about the hoax cooked up by Bess Houdini and medium Arthur Ford to keep Houdini's name alive by claiming that Ford delivered a message, agreed upon by Harry and Bess while he was still alive, so that she would know there was a life after death. Ralph G. Pressing, "Houdini Unmasked: Code Message Received" (Daily News, Lily Dale, NY, 1947).
I looked up HH's Wikipedia entry. Very strange and tragic how he died. He was much more of a Renaissance man than I ever knew.
That video is fascinating. I never knew how many tricks he mastered and how hugely popular he was. It is nice that his book collection will live on as a reminder of him.