Not sure whether this should be exclusively in the 'Magicians of Old' section or here but looking for any information about Jim Collins, Houdini's chief assistant. If you have any at all please have a look at the post with the same subject heading over there.
Thanks,
Paul

Hi Prober,
I have lost your email, but, I have learned that Collins always wanted to do a magic act of his own. He developed an "any drink called for" effect and at least once played an engagement as a magician/escape artist (Joe Fox called my attention to a mention of it in the Sphinx).
Patrick Culliton

James Charles Collins was born Dec 13, 1882 either in Belfast or in Highgate, London.
He died Mar 6, 1942 in Philadelphia General Hospital.
He was working with Hardeen until almost the very end.