houdini harry

[Harry Houdini, King of Cards]. 19th century, Library of Congress coll...

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Beatrice Houdini, bust portrait, facing right (ca. 1900) and Harry Ho...

Public domain reproduction of portrait art print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. ... More

[Beatrice and Harry Houdini in their first year of married life]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[The Houdinis perform Metamorphosis]

Public domain scan of American poster, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Harry and Beatrice Houdini with the Welsh Brothers Circus]

Public domain photograph - performance, burlesque, dance, cabaret, operetta, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, ... More

[The Houdinis perform Metamorphosis]

Public domain scan of American poster, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Beatrice and Harry Houdini, full-length portrait, seated, facing fron...

Public domain scan of portrait art print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was on... More

[Three full-length portraits of Harry Houdini and his brother Theodore...

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

Special starring record engagement of the world's famous jail breaker,...

"Wm. E. Berry, Printer, & c., 44, Vicar Lane, Bradford." At head of title: Palace Theatre, Halifax; twice nightly at 7 & 9; Monday, Nov. 16th, 1903, and during the week. Managing director, Mr. Frank MacNaghten;... More

[Houdini, full-length portrait, standing, facing front, in chains]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Houdini performs at the New Theater]

Public domain photograph of theater building, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He wa... More

[Harry Houdini, half-length portrait, facing front]

Picryl description: Public domain vintage artistic photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image. Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was o... More

[Houdini visits Indianapolis]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[The Weed Chain Tire Grip Company, New York City, challenges Mr. Harr...

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Harry Houdini performs the great milk can escape]

Public domain photograph of 3d object museum collection, metal, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. ... More

[Houdini and the circus]

Public domain photograph of military personnel, army, militia, infantry, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born... More

[Harry Houdini, half-length portrait, facing front, with arms folded]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Houdini with Ira Davenport, full-length portrait, seated]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Trophy presented to Houdini by the Aerial League of Australia]

Public domain aerial photograph, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous a... More

[Houdini at the wheel] - A group of people sitting in a car

Public domain photograph of an automobile, 1910s car, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 187... More

[Harry Houdini and Chinese magician Ching Ling Foo, full-length portra...

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Harry Houdini, full-length portrait, standing, and Harry Kellar, seat...

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Houdini with the Roterbergs, full-length portrait, seated on stoop, f...

Public domain image of a historic building, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of... More

[Harry and Beatrice Houdini in Nice, France, full-length portrait, sta...

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Houdini and the water torture cell]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[The world-famous self-liberator Houdini will escape from the water t...

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

Houdini letterhead from 1913 - Public domain book scan / engraving

Mourning letterhead with black border and bust portrait of Harry Houdini; a note signed by Houdini identifies this as his 1913 letterhead, made in Stuttgart, Germany, after his mother's death. From the Oscar T... More

[Houdini versus products of the Weed Chain Tire Grip Company]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

Registered letter from Hull, England, regarding water torture cell, 19...

In this registered letter typed on his engraved letterhead in Hull, England, on February 1, 1913, Houdini announces and describes his new Water Torture Cell escape trick, and warns British theatrical managers t... More

[Houdini removes his jacket]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Crate containing Harry Houdini, being lowered from ship into water] /...

J194551 U.S. Copyright Office. Copyright by Houdini. Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his ti... More

[Houdini with Theodore Roosevelt and others aboard the H.A.L. "Imperat...

Picryl description: Public domain photograph group portrait, free to use, no copyright restrictions. Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of th... More

[Houdini and President Roosevelt, full-length portrait, both standing,...

Public domain photograph related to Theodore Roosevelt, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1... More

Theodore Roosevelt and Houdini, S.S. Imperator

Photograph showing Theodore Roosevelt and Houdini, full-length portrait, both standing, aboard the Imperator. Hand written on verso: Bequest Edward Saint, June 20, 1943. Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American... More

[Houdini with child on pony]

Picryl description: Public domain image of a horse, animal husbandry, free to use, no copyright restrictions. Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was ... More

[Houdini (center) and his brothers Leopold, Hardeen, Bill and Nat, ful...

Picryl description: Public domain photograph group portrait, free to use, no copyright restrictions. Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of th... More

[The Houdinis and the Hymans, three-quarter length portrait, standing...

Public domain photograph - Portrait, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Magicians' Society will be formed Sunday by Houdini : Dayton Journal a...

This article from the Dayton Journal for Saturday, December 16, 1916, describes Harry Houdini's plans to form a Magicians' Society of Dayton in affiliation with the Society of American Magicians, of which Houdi... More

[Harry and Beatrice Houdini with Sarah Bernhardt, Boston]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[The Silver Anniversary dinner of Beatrice and Harry Houdini (1894-19...

Public domain photograph of a hotel building, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He wa... More

[Houdini is secured in a straitjacket]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

Master mystifier, Houdini the greatest necromancer of the age - perhap...

Public domain image of Egyptian art, free to use, no copyright restrictions photo - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of ... More

[Houdini and the ghost of Abraham Lincoln]

Public domain image related to President Abraham Lincoln, gelatin silver print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologis... More

[Houdini and man on cliff in scene from "The man from beyond"]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Houd ini swims river in scene from "The man from beyond"]

Public domain photograph - historical image of Canada, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Houd ini and Nita Naldi in scene from "The man from beyond"]

[Houd ini clinging to edge of cliff in scene from "The man from beyond...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a mountain cliff view, natural rocky landscape, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

[Houd ini covered with ice, in front of doorway, in scene from "The ma...

Houdini - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Photo shows crowds in front of the Treasury Building on Fifteenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., gathered for straitjacket escape of Harry Houdini (Houdini not visible). Title from unverified data provided by ... More

Houdini dangling from the B.F. Keith's Theatre, G and 15th Streets, N....

Title devised by Library staff based on unverified data provided by the National Photo Company on the negative or negative sleeve. Date from negatives in same range, and Houdini's engagement at Keith's. Gift; H... More

[Houdini does an upside-down straitjacket escape, Washington, D.C.]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Houdini, "the genius of escape," on the Orpheum Circuit]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Houdini holding bonds, Boston, Massachusetts]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Houdini, head-and-shoulder portrait, facing front]

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Houdini exposes psychic fraud]

Picryl description: Public domain image of a group of people, United States politics, free to use, no copyright restrictions. Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest ... More

Saw the ectoplasm issue from 'Margery' during psychic tests : Boston H...

An article from the Boston Herald describing a lecture on the medium "Margery" by the chief investigator of the English Society for Psychical Research. Margery had been attacked as a fraud by Houdini; in his l... More

Letter of Harry Houdini discussing his library

Letter of Houdini to Mrs. M.M. Soule of Boston, written on the letterhead bearing his home address in New York City, July 31, 1925, in which he describes his extensive library of letters and documents related t... More

Two newspaper articles announcing Houdini's death on October 31, 1926

Houdini died of peritonitis resulting from appendicitis on October 31, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan. Newspapers throughout the country carried the news of his death in articles whose length attested to the bread... More

[Beatrice Houdini and Theodore Hardeen visit Houdini's grave]

Picryl description: Public domain image of a cemetery, memorial, monument, free to use, no copyright restrictions. Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He... More

[Eyes of memory never sleep]

Postcard from Ehrich Weiss to his mother

At the age of twelve, Ehrich Weiss ran away from home in an effort to earn money and to alleviate his family's grinding poverty. This is the earliest sample of Houdini's handwriting in the collections of the L... More

[Ehrich Weiss, full-length portrait, standing, facing front, wearing t...

Not yet Houdini, Ehrich Weiss is shown exhibiting his competitive spirit and wearing medals he won as a member of the Pastime Athletic Club track team in New York. Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magici... More

[Harry Houdini, full-length portrait, standing, facing front, in chain...

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

King of handcuffs text, ca. 1900

Publicity item touting Harry Houdini's successes as "The King of Handcuffs" in London performances; includes numerous quotations from organs of the British and French press, and the addresses of Houdini's Ameri... More

[Harry Houdini, full-length portrait, standing, facing front, in chain...

Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spectacular escape acts and death-de... More

[Harry Houdini, with his wife Beatrice and mother Cecilia Steiner Weis...

Public domain reproduction of portrait print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He wa... More

Aerial League of Australia invitation

Invitation from the Aerial League of Australia to an evening of cinematograph views of aerial achievements, including "first flight in Australia by Mr. Houdini." From the collections of the Rare Book and Specia... More

[Harry Houdini, full-length portrait, standing, facing right, in chain...

Harry Houdini, Handcuff King. Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spect... More

Advertisement for Conjurers' Monthly Magazine

Undated advertisement for Conjuror's Monthly Magazine hails the magazine as "Houdini's Newspaper," and identifies Harry Houdini as its editor. From the collections of the Rare Book and Special Collections Divis... More

Conjurers' monthly magazine. October 15, 1906

This issue of a publication Harry Houdini edited features some of his material on Robert Houdin, Houdini correspondence, and notes from Europe by his brother, Theodore Hardeen. From the collections of the Rare ... More

B.F. Keith's Theatre News. January 22, 1906

This is a publicity pamphlet published by Keith's Theatre in Philadelphia for the week of January 22, 1906. The cover photograph shows a lobby display of shackles used by Houdini in his performances as "the Ja... More

[Harry Houdini with his wife Beatrice and mother Cecilia Steiner Weiss...

Public domain reproduction of portrait art print, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. ... More

Houdini jumps from Harvard Bridge, Boston, Massachusetts John H. Thurs...

Photograph shows Houdini standing by the side of the Charles River wearing chains and handcuffs. Master of the "Impossible Possible," Houdini performs one of his stunning manacled jumps from Harvard Bridge, fo... More

[Houdini and "The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin"]

"Memory," wrote Dr. Morris N. Young in 1961, "is the sum of what one can remember; the diary of the mind." In the great collections that they built and gave to the Library of Congress, Houdini, John J. McManus,... More

Certificate of ordination : certificate of Mrs. Annie M. Benninghofen ...

Certificate of Ordination for Mrs. Annie M. Benninghofen as a Minister of the Gospel of Spiritualism for the National Spiritualists' Association of the U.S.A. The ordination took place at the First Spiritualis... More

Houdini letterhead from 1912 - Public domain book scan / engraving

Letterhead with cameo portrait of Harry Houdini in profile; a note signed by Houdini identifies this item as his steel engraving letterhead of 1912, made in Bradford, England. From the collections of the Rare B... More

Harry Handcuff Houdini - Public domain portrait print

Harry Houdini, three-quarter length portrait, facing front. Photograph by Campbell-Gray, Ltd. Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most ... More

Daring dive! : poster and Victoria Theater announcement, 1914

Handcuffed and in packing case. Poster announcing that Harry Houdini will be shackled and thrown into the river off New York's Battery in a sealed packing case, from which he will attempt to escape, July 15, 19... More

Houdini, in a packing case, is lowered into New York Bay

Houdini, in a packing case said to contain six hundred pounds of iron weights, is lowered into New York Bay. He is credited with having escaped in two minutes and fifty-five seconds. Photograph by Dietz, N.Y. ... More

Orpheum circuit news. November 14, 1915

Text and photo. A copy of the Orpheum Circuit News, a publicity pamphlet published in Oakland, California, by the 35-member Orpheum Circuit of Theatres, November 14, 1915. Affiliated theatres were located thro... More

Magicians' Club program, April 25, 1915

Program book for the "First Grand All Magical Seance of the Magicians' Club," Chelsea, London, England, Sunday, April 25, 1915. Harry Houdini was the Club's President and founder. Includes a list of featured ... More

Hippodrome program for the season 1917-1918

Program book for the New York Hippodrome, New York City, for the 1917-1918 season, including several pages of advertisements. The booklet features the performance program for an elaborate variety bill, "Cheer ... More

Publicity release about iron bound box test, 1917

This item features a cameo photograph of Houdini's face, set against a background photograph showing the iron-bound box from which he escapes being lowered into a river. From the collections of the Rare Book an... More

[Harry and Beatrice Houdini, half-length portrait, seated]

Photograph by Smith, St. Louis. Harry Houdini was a Hungarian-American magician and escapologist, born in Budapest in 1874. He was one of the most famous and successful magicians of his time, known for his spe... More

Invitation that links Man from beyond and Houdini escape act

This is an invitation to the premiere of Harry Houdini's "The Man from Beyond" at the Times Square Theatre, New York City, on April 2, 1922, an event which also featured Houdini performing escape acts. From the... More

Special performance, Friday morning only, April 27, 1923, 11 a.m. : Ho...

Announcement of a lecture in Los Angeles, billing it as "the first serious lecture delivered by Houdini on the subject of Spiritualism and the kindred arts." The announcement includes an explanation of the eth... More

Houdini waves $10,000 in bonds : Boston American article, December 30,...

This article and photographs from the front page of the Boston American, December 30, 1924, describes Houdini's $5,000 challenges to the medium "Margery" and to a Harvard professor who believed her psychic powe... More

No prize for "Margery" : Springfield Union article, December 14, 1925

This article from the Springfield (Massachusetts) Union recounts the conclusion of the controversy surrounding the medium known as "Margery," in which Houdini had embroiled himself by challenging the authentici... More

Margery genuine says, Conan Doyle; he scorns Houdini : article from th...

This article from the Boston Herald prints a lengthy statement written to the Herald by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, of Sherlock Holmes fame, vigorously defending the medium known as "Margery" against accusations of... More

Houdini stirred by article, may sue Sir Arthur : Springfield Union art...

This article from the Springfield (Massachusetts) Union reports Houdini's outraged response to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's published attack on him in defense of the medium known as "Margery," whom Houdini had iden... More

Hippodrome : Variety article, January 21, 1925

This article describes Houdini's latest sensational act, an on-stage expose of the hoaxes perpetrated by fraudulent mediums. From the collections of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division. From the Edwa... More

Houdini in sealed coffin under water 90 minutes : Washington Post arti...

Article from the Washington Post describing Houdini's prolonged submersion in a sealed coffin on August 5, 1926. From the collections of the Rare Book and Special Collections Division. Volume/container number... More

Postcard from Ehrich Weiss to his mother

At the age of twelve, Ehrich Weiss ran away from home in an effort to earn money and to alleviate his family's grinding poverty. This is the earliest sample of Houdini's handwriting in the collections of the L... More

Aerial League of Australia invitation

Invitation from the Aerial League of Australia to an evening of cinematograph views of aerial achievements, including "first flight in Australia by Mr. Houdini." From the collections of the Rare Book and Specia... More

King of handcuffs text, ca. 1900

Publicity item touting Harry Houdini's successes as "The King of Handcuffs" in London performances; includes numerous quotations from organs of the British and French press, and the addresses of Houdini's Ameri... More

Advertisement for Conjurers' Monthly Magazine

Undated advertisement for Conjuror's Monthly Magazine hails the magazine as "Houdini's Newspaper," and identifies Harry Houdini as its editor. From the collections of the Rare Book and Special Collections Divis... More

B.F. Keith's Theatre News. January 22, 1906

This is a publicity pamphlet published by Keith's Theatre in Philadelphia for the week of January 22, 1906. The cover photograph shows a lobby display of shackles used by Houdini in his performances as "the Ja... More

Conjurers' monthly magazine. October 15, 1906

This issue of a publication Harry Houdini edited features some of his material on Robert Houdin, Houdini correspondence, and notes from Europe by his brother, Theodore Hardeen. From the collections of the Rare ... More

Houdini jumps from Harvard Bridge, Boston, Massachusetts John H. Thurs...

Photograph shows Houdini standing by the side of the Charles River wearing chains and handcuffs. Master of the "Impossible Possible," Houdini performs one of his stunning manacled jumps from Harvard Bridge, fo... More

Certificate of ordination : certificate of Mrs. Annie M. Benninghofen ...

Certificate of Ordination for Mrs. Annie M. Benninghofen as a Minister of the Gospel of Spiritualism for the National Spiritualists' Association of the U.S.A. The ordination took place at the First Spiritualis... More