Houdini, Harry (Erik Weisz) | Likely the earliest solo Houdini poster

Houdini, Harry (Erik Weisz)

Harry Houdini. King of Cards. Chicago: National Pr. & Eng. Co., [1895] (no. 1838)

Color lithograph poster (28 1/4 x 21 in.; 717 x 534 mm). Horizontal fold crease, some marginal tears. Laid down on linen.

Likely the earliest solo Houdini poster. Before he gained worldwide fame as an escape artist, Houdini performed as a card magician in dime museums, burlesque shows, and circuses—most notably that of the Welsh Brothers. According to "Wild About Harry" blogger John Cox, "When Houdini first performed in Paris in 1901, audiences were still unfamiliar with handcuffs (they were not yet used widely in France), so he received few challenges. It's said his card work is what made him a hit in France."

This beautiful and uncommon poster features a central romantic portrait of the young Houdini in white tie, with two inset vignette images: a full-length portrayal of the magician displaying ribbon spreads of cards on both arms and a close-up image of him doing one-handed cuts with each hand. 

REFERENCE:

Illusions 29; Magic, p. 429