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Mick Hanzlik Special user Mick Hanzlik 588 Posts |
I just received (from the author) the very first copy of "Houdini's UK Tours" by Derek Tait.
A very good book, listing as many known UK appearances by Houdini, with local newspaper reports and pictures of many of the theatres he played in. Really good for research, or just for finding about just what he did in a particular town or city. This will be updated when more information emerges. I think it's available now from Amazon. |
houdinisghost Loyal user 287 Posts |
Mick,
Does this letter fit into the 1920 tour. I know it does, but, the Empire Hotel stationary, the date (May 28, 1920) and the "aeroplane" flight to Paris (with a mention of what it cost). Anything in the new book which lines up with this letter. http://www.houdinisghost.com/whitletter.html Whit Haydn has this letter for sale for $1500. I think it's worth at least that--all handwritten plus the mention of the aeroplane flight. Very cool. |
Riley Special user Swansea UK 955 Posts |
Mr Tait has reproduced this drawing of Houdini on stage
http://devon.greatbritishlife.co.uk/comm......comments However, this is not the Palace Theatre in Plymouth 1909, but the Peoples Palace, Halifax, November 1902. Take a close look at the top centre of the drawing. This drawing was given to me by the late David DeVal and was reproduced with his permission in my lecture notes at my lecture "Houdini at Plymouth" at the Plymouth Athenaeum, Feb 22nd 2001. Riley |
houdinisghost Loyal user 287 Posts |
That letter, which Whit may not have already sold, is (almost certainly) to Donald Stevenson, the man Houdini had get the Voisin out of storage.
http://www.diggerslions.org.au/houdini/biplanesearch.html |
WEASEL DANDAW Regular user 133 Posts |
Hi Riley,
I agree with you about it being the Peoples Palace in Halifax, but I think it was November 1903. Interestingly, the main Plymouth Library say they have the original drawing & it was drawn during a performance in Plymouth! |
Riley Special user Swansea UK 955 Posts |
From my notes (given to me by David DeVal):-
From the Halifax Courier Saturday November 8th 1902: "This week the Peoples Palace has been a popular place for public patronage. Houdini, who describes himself as "The Handcuff King" has nightly performed several remarkable feats with "locks, bolts and bars" and many other things. On Thursday night he accomplished something which eclipsed all his previous clever performances. Mr Lewis Crossley, manager for Messrs T. Gaines and Sons, joiners of Stannary Street, issued a challenge which on the face of it was absurd because it appeared impossible to accept successfully...." etc etc. The name "T. Gaines and Sons" appears on the packing case, as was usual with this type of Houdini challenge. So, sorry Plymouth... and Plymouth Library... but the drawing does NOT show the Palace Theatre, Union Street,Plymouth, although the procedure and situation would have been identical at all the theatres where Houdini presented this particular escape. The People's Palace was situated at St. James Road, Halifax. And unless the drawing in the possession of Plymouth Library is 15" x 12" then what they have is a small copy, probably from my lecture notes, around 5" x 4" Regards Riley |
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