Houdini Upside Down In The Water Torture Cell – 1913 – Clean

Ehrich Weiss, aka, Harry Houdini started his career in magic and although even now is popularly considered to be a magician, was to some professional magicians as a competent but not particularly skilled sleight-of-hand artist, lacking the grace and finesse required to achieve excellence in that craft. He is now regarded as the greatest escape artist in history.

In 1899, impressed by Houdini’s handcuffs act, his manager advised him to concentrate on escape acts and booked him on the Orpheum vaudeville circuit. Within months, he was performing at the top vaudeville houses in the country. In 1900, Beck arranged for Houdini to tour Europe. Following a demonstration of escape from handcuffs at Scotland Yard, in London and baffling the police so effectively that he he was booked at the Alhambra for six months. His show was an immediate hit and his salary rose to an incredible $300 a week (equivalent to a  £9000 in 2019).

This 1913 Houdini poster features his famous Water Torture Cell escape, which became a staple of Houdini’s vaudeville act and later his full evening roadshow. The cell was built in England at a cost of more than $10,000. It stood 59 inches tall, 26.5 inches wide. The frame and heavy stocks were made of Honduras mahogany and nickel-plated steel with brass fixtures. During his career he as was also a stunt performer, actor and film producer.

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Our posters are carefully and professionally created from vintage originals. Whilst great care is taken in the production of these posters, we also try to maintain a vintage feel, so there may be small imperfections, fold marks, scuffs, tears or marks that were part of the original poster master. If these do appear they should be visible on the larger views of the item on this listing. The originals of many of the posters we offer can cost many thousands of pounds, so whilst these posters look great, especially framed and mounted on a wall, they are intended as a fun, affordable reproductions and not intended fine art prints.

The 50x70cm version has been specially produced to be used in conjunction with Ikea’s 50x70cm Ribba picture frame which currently retails for around £12. So you can bag a print and frame for a great price.