Continuing on with National Magic Week – actually it’s the final day of Magic Week, National Magic DAY and the anniversary of Harry Houdini’s death. Houdini – one of the greatest magicians and escape artist of all time died on this day in 1926. If you don’t know the lore, well google it. He is Magic Royalty and an anniversary magician’s celebrate.
One of my special Houdini memories were visits to the Houdini Magical Hall of Fame once located in Niagara Falls, Ontario. When the museum first opened in 1968 it was pure magic. Viewing Houdini’s own props and escapes, his magic and his history. It was state of the art and really an experience.
As I young magician visiting, the admission sign read $1.00 or 99 cents if you were a magician. I always proudly showed my Junior Magicians Membership card to qualify for this prestigious discount.
And at the end of the tour was the gift / magic shop – expertly managed by the great professional magician Ronald Conley. Even though we only had a few encounters I really learned a lot from him.
Unfortunately the museum was destroyed by a fire in 1995 and some of Houdini’s props. But not the memory or the magic they created.
Thanks Harry, thanks Ron and Happy Halloween everyone.
