In earlier posts we put out a call to Houdiniphiles to help us figure out the meaning of this mysterious Russian “ticket” for a Houdini show in Moscow in May 1913. Harry was in Northern Europe that summer, but - the biographers agree - apparently never got to Russia again after his historic tour in 1903.
Thanks to our new friend Andrey Fedorov, we’re finally able to shed some light on this mystery. Fedorov, you recall, is chief historian of the Society of Russian Magicians.
First, he corrected one of our mistakes: the above notice is not a theater ticket, but an advertisement. It appeared on the cover of Variety & Circus on May 28, 1913, and clearly indicates that Houdini was playing the Aquarium. The advert also mentions Harry’s friend Pantzer the acrobat and his fixer/interpreter, Gregory Aquamarine.
We have also discovered, in Houdini’s diaries, the previously unreported fact that Franz Kukol, his invaluable assistant, was working in Russia in 1913.
We have also discovered, in Houdini’s diaries, the previously unreported fact that Franz Kukol, his invaluable assistant, was working in Russia in 1913.
Sounds like a Houdini show in Moscow in 1913, all right….
Only one problem: Houdini did not sail for Europe that year until July 6. Could he really have been playing Moscow on May 28?
There are two possible explanations. We’ll explore both in detail in future posts.
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