Houdini, Harry (Erik Weisz), & Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner Houdini | Houdini's first great effect

Houdini, Harry (Erik Weisz), & Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner Houdini

The Houdini's. Original Introducers of Metamorphosis. Exchanging Places in 3 Seconds. Chicago: National Pr. & Eng. Co., [1895] (no. 1837)

Color lithograph poster (28 x 21 in.; 711 x 535 mm). Fold and other creases, numerous marginal tears, one small patch of margin restored. Laid down on linen.

This is one of the earliest posters of Houdini, promoting his first great effect, Metamorphosis. While trunk escapes had been performed previously, the speed with which Houdini effected the exchange—first with his brother Theo (Hardeen) and later with his wife, Bess—was unprecedented. "In Metamorphosis, Houdini would have his hands tied, be roped into a sack, and then locked in a trunk. The trunk would be pushed into a curtain cabinet by Bess who would draw the curtains and clap her hands three times. Houdini would immediately appear free, and when the truck was opened, it would be Bess now sealed and tied in the sack. A coat borrowed from an audience member was also sometimes used, being placed on Houdini and then ending up on Bess" (https://www.wildabouthoudini.com/p/metamorphosis.html).

The present poster is overprinted at the top "Welsh Bro's Newest Great Shows." The recently wed Houdinis toured the East Coast with the Pennsylvania-based Welsh Brothers Circus in 1895, and during this engagement they perfected the Metamorphosis act. The large central image depicts the pair standing with the trunk used in the effect, captioned "The Greatest Trunk Mystery the World Has Ever Seen." Roundel portrait vignettes of the newlyweds border the main image: Harry at the top, encircled by a length of chain and christened "The King of Handcuffs"; Bess at the top, framed by ribbons and designated "Queen of Mystery." A very rare poster.

REFERENCE:

Exemplars, p. 51; Magic, p. 430