Potter & Potter Houdini Auction Catalog Is Now Available

Potter & Potter Auctions is having an incredible auction of Houdini items on August 23rd, 2014. The catalog is now available for download OR purchase. I just finished going through the catalog and my eyes are bugging out. The most incredible thing (and there are a LOT) is the Houdini Double Fold Death Defying Water Mystery Box!!!! Yes, the actual box. I had heard it was still around but had no idea where. Well, now it's up for David Copperfield, I mean, someone with lots of cash, to purchase.

Among the real gems is a costume belonging to Bess Houdini, several pairs of handcuffs, a film of Hardeen doing an Overboard Packing Crate Escape, and an unpublished manuscript by Houdini on Witchcraft. Oh what am I saying? Everything in that catalog is a gem! I can't wait to see what I'll enjoy loosing in that auction, lol. How is that for a positive attitude, lol. Houdini stuff tends to go pretty high.

IF you want to buy or download the catalog, go to this link http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=875574c47a99767fdc579a024&id=d7a10af7ee

A Few More Details on Wyman the Wizard

Today, I'm once again exploring the life of John Wyman, known as Wyman the Wizard. I have written about Wyman before, but I continue to find new information that is quiet revealing. He was born in 1816 in Albany NY. His career as an entertainer began simply enough as a mimic. He could reproduce the sound of people's voices as well as animal sounds to such a degree people thought they were listening to the real thing. How this transferred to magic is not known, but before long he became a full fledged magician and mimicry was only a small part of his show.

The book, Annals of Conjuring says that Wyman was the first U.S. born magician to attain prominence. And the Illustrated History of Magic says that "he was the biggest money maker of the period." John Mullholland writing in The Sphinx, says "he was the first American-born magician to present a full evening's stage performance". 

John Mullholland actually reveals a number of surprising details about Wyman. Mullholland claims that Wyman was the first magician to include spiritualistic/mediumistic effects in his programs. He also claims that  in 1857, when the Boston Courier was investigating the Fox Sisters, Wyman was chosen as one of the people to be on the committee. And probably due to Wyman's participation on the committee, no reward was given out to the Fox Sisters.

I first became interested in Wyman when I learned he lived and performed often in my area,

Odd Fellows Hall Today

Washington D.C.. Wyman performed for Presidents Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore and performed numerous times for President Abraham Lincoln. As I mentioned in a previous article, one of the effects presented to Lincoln was the Cap & Pence, where several coins would mysteriously pass through the hand of a spectator, in this case, through Mr. Lincoln's hands. Those coins now reside in the collection/museum of David Copperfield. 

 Wyman lived on 6th St in Washington D.C. for a period of time. And his regular performance spot was a place called The Odd Fellows Hall, which was located at 419 7th St N.W Washington, almost exactly half way between the Capital Building and The White House.

One of the most fascinating things to me was Wyman's Gift Show. This was a show in which every ticket holder received some sort of gift. According to reports, these were often very nice gifts as well. I wonder how he worked this out financially to be able to provide quality gifts to every single person in the audience and still make a profit from his performances.

Wyman did make quite a huge profit in his lifetime. He was one of the few magicians in history to make a lot of money and keep it until his death. He also wrote an autobiography which was never published. The manuscript was apparently sent to George M. Cohan shortly after Wyman's death, but Cohan said he never received it. So that means the U.S. Post Office has been loosing packages for a very very LONG time!
 

Happy Birthday Harry Blackstone Jr

The SAM Facebook Page posted that today, June 30th was Harry Blackstone Jrs 80th Birthday. I can hardly wrap my head around that. Wow. I still remember when Harry passed away suddenly and that was shock enough. But to think he would have been 80 today is amazing.

I sure miss that guy. He was the first professional big name magician I ever saw live. I still remember that day as if it just happened. He was an amazing performer and from what I've heard he was quite a fine human being as well. I wish I had known him.

Happy Birthday Harry!