A unique 1953 Houdini Artifact

 

Wayne Alan is a close friend of mine. I've known him for years, and he was actually the first magician I ever saw perform at my local mall, ages ago. Wayne does not consider himself a collector, and Im not sure he considers himself a historian, however, he has been working on a book on Houdini since the late 1970s. His research is extensive. He might have been one of the earliest people to visit David Copperfields collection on Houdini. Over the years he has met with and interviewed many historians and collectors and people associated with Houdini. I will be sharing more on Wayne over the next few weeks.

But, the guy who doesn't consider himself a collector, has a pretty amazing collection. A few years ago, he purchased the Dunninger Collection from Maxine Dunninger. He also has an assortment of other Houdini related artifacts.

The one I want to share with you today is very cool. A simple table. One that can be seen in the photo at the top of the page. This particular table doesn't appear in the actual movie, that I could tell, but it clearly was used during the photoshoots to promote the movie. It is an Abbott's table. And the one Wayne recently purchased came from a Movie Memorabilia House. This is the 1953 HOUDINI Movie, side table used during the photo shoot. 

The photo below shows the table more clearly. The drape is long gone. But it matches the table perfectly.  It is housed in the National Museum of Magic, which is one of the few museums on magic open to the public. Wayne owns the museum as well.

A Visit With a Houdini Collector & Magic Historian

 

I had the honor of visiting my buddy Wayne Alan this past weekend. Wayne is the owner of the Old North Theater in Danville VA. He is also a semi-retired illusionist and very busy magic historian. I don't think he considers himself a collector, but man does he have some crazy cool stuff!

For example, the photo above are sections from the Old Keith's Theater in Washington DC where Houdini did a hanging straitjacket escape in 1922. Wayne also has the air grate that was in Houdini's hospital room in Detroit. 

In addition, he has documents, audio recordings and artifacts that will make your head spin. And I'm sadly, not at liberty to divulge. I got to see and touch and item that belonged to a very famous magical artist from yesteryear. Again, can't say yet who it is because Wayne plan's to do a big reveal at some point. 

If all the Houdini stuff wasn't enough, Wayne has some Doug Henning items. He owns the Lion's Bride Cage, and he owns a sawing in half that was Henning's. Apparently, some claim it's not Henning's but Wayne say's it is. I saw it. Label is clearly from Owens Magic to Doug Henning. Stencil on the side says The Magic Show. And inside is a Sawing in Half. There are two cases for it.

There must be a story that goes with this, as it's not the Sawing is featured in the promotional photos. But it is without a doubt a Sawing in Half, that Henning owned and does have 'The Magic Show' stenciled on the case. Plus, the case is appropriate for that time period.  We did not put the entire thing together, but it was cool to see.

Wayne is intending upon building a Museum of Magic next to his theater and he has a building that is perfect in which to do it. I can't wait to see the finished thing, it's going to be spectacular.