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Unseen Harry Houdini writing published on 100th anniversary of his death
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- Unpublished writing by Harry Houdini, the famous escapologist and illusionist, is being released in the US on the 100th anniversary of his death, featuring an article titled "An Interesting Scrapbook" in Strand magazine.
- The article offers a historical perspective on early magic performers who influenced Houdini’s career, showcasing theater bills and acts blending supernatural themes with theatrical entertainment from the 19th century.
- Houdini, known primarily for his escape acts, is revealed here as a historian documenting forgotten magicians and theatrical performers, highlighting a lesser-known aspect of his legacy.
- The piece was discovered among Houdini’s papers at the Harry Ransom Center, and experts believe it has never been publicly available before, sparking speculation about why Houdini might have withheld it.
- Houdini spent his later years debunking spiritualists and charlatans, opposing claims of supernatural powers, which aligns with the critical tone of his unpublished work on magic and illusion.
