...apologies for that last spelling mistake!

Joseph Fox turned this up:
Dec. 1931 - Sphinx:
Conn. State Fair--JIM COLLINS was doing a SOLO magic act under a tent:
--"Houdini Chinese Execution Trick" - 8 steel blades penetrate assistant's body.
--Flying Bird Cage
---"ESCAPES FROM RESTRAINTS OF ALL KINDS".

Jim Collins was my great Grandad. My late Grandmother was Hilda his last child on this side of the pond. Apparently he upped and left one day,leaving his wife and kids to be with Houdini, never to be seen again....nice chap!!!

Jimmy Collins had another wife in America. She stage-managed Hardeen's show on the Steel Pier. Her name--this may have been a stage name--was Maude Merrill. I've seen her referred to as "Maudie Collins." Apparently, they were together thirty years.
I wonder if Jimmy Collins provided any kind of support for his children?
Patrick Culliton
http://www.houdinisghost.com/

Reviving this thread to share a pretty nice artifact. This is Collins' last paycheck from Houdini.

http://www.wildabouthoudini.com/2014/02/......ets.html

Does anyone know how Collins and the rest of H's assistants referred to their employer when addressing him - Harry, Houdini, Mister Houdini, Boss, etc?