CHALLENGE TO HOUDINI

Like the ancient warrior depicted above in his Conjurors Magazine logo, Houdini lived his entire life under challenge.

Every day brought newer, tougher, wilder - and always public - challenges. They truly came to see him die! 

Hardy circus trouper at heart, every challenge a new opportunity and a path to glory, he always said "Yes." He never backed down - he took on all comers. He accepted every single challenge issued, and never once failed to escape. (Sometimes he would set terms, like 'OK, but you have to put air-holes in the box.')

But what about his informal challenges? As all magicians know, in-your-face challenge is part of the deal. You must be ready to perform at any time. What did Harry do when someone came up to him and said, “Please, Houdini - do something magical?”

Having just spent last week combing the Houdini collection at the Library of Congress, in addition to an interview we did long ago with Walter Gibson, his sometime collaborator, we feel confident in saying that this little beauty, or one of its numerous variations, was his favorite impromptu trick:

(Video link here)

(Images: Library of Congress Rare Book Collection & McManus-Young Collection)