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The Case:
In an appearance worthy of Houdini, a Chicago man replacing roof insulation in his home realized that the insulation material was in fact scores of old posters for a Harry Houdini magic show.
Master of illusion and escape artist, celebrated worldwide, Harry Houdini captivated crowds with his death-defying stunts and unique brand of magic which seemed to defy the very laws of nature.
Could such rare and random theater signs possibly be real?
With the theater where the alleged performance took place no longer in business, our contributor is eager to determine the poster’s authenticity as well as learn what kind of show Houdini was performing in Chicago. Houdini built his reputation on elaborate tricks and illusions, yet in later years, he devoted portions of his stage acts to questioning the spiritualists and clairvoyants who claimed they could contact the dead.
History Detectives ventures to New York City and Las Vegas to peer behind the magician’s veil, and examine the final chapter in Houdini’s career.
Season 4, Episode 1
Detective:
Elyse Luray
Detective:
Gwen Wright
Location:Chicago, Illinois
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Comments
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- Submit your StoryDo you have an object from an Emerging Modern America?
- Latest CommentIt turns out that this collage was sold last fall: http://www.worthpoint.com/wort... I wonder if it would be possible to contact the buyer by way of the auction house about getting a print made. (6 months ago)
- Twitterremember this investigation with @TukufuZuberi @elyseluray Tonight they reunite! Let us know your thoughts! @PBS http://t.co/4KMnc27K (1 year ago)
- FacebookCongrats on your exhibit, TZ! Here's a Washington Post article about the exhibit, everyone, and the great story TZ and Elyse did on his "Our Colored Heroes" story. http://tinyurl.com/mzpuyo8 http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/our-colored-heroes/ (6 months ago)