Escapologist Collection

Siberian death defier and Aviator baffling John Clempert
Undated coloured poster for Siberian death defier and Aviator baffling John Clempert featuring illustrations of his tricks and performances. HPF/5B/18

Harry Houdini
Portrait of Harry Houdini, escapologist

Houdini & Daily MIrror Challenge - handcuffs 1904
The handcuffs with which the Daily Mirror challenged Harry Houdini at the London Hippodrome in March 1904. The cuff was allegedly made by a Birmingham blacksmith, Nathaniel Hart

John Nevil Maskelyne performs a spirit cabinet illusion, c1910. Creator: Unknown
John Nevil Maskelyne performs a spirit cabinet illusion, c1910. How the tricks are performed - " A coach-horn or megaphone is useful for picking things up

Underwater escapologist - a boy dives into a swimming pool to help a man untie himself from a chair. (1 of 3) Date: 1967

Crate containing Harry Houdini, being lowered into New York Bay, 1912 (b / w photo)
1766199 Crate containing Harry Houdini, being lowered into New York Bay, 1912 (b/w photo) by Dietz (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Houdini, born Erik Weisz (1874-1926) in Budapest

Jack Shepherd and his escapes (engraving)
559061 Jack Shepherd and his escapes (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Jack Shepherd and his escapes)

The special pair of handcuffs from which Houdini had to extract himself, taking over an hour at a highly publicised event sponsored by the Daily Mirror at the Hippodrome

Houdini & Daily MIrror Challenge
Houdinis great lock-picking feat at the London Hippodrome. Harry Houdini shown on stage at the London Hippodrome, having specially made cuffs locked to his wrists in the presence of representatives

Houdinis act at the London Hippodrome 1904
Impression of Houdini performing his famous escapology act at the London Hippodrome in 1904 where he was manacled with handcuffs allegedly made by a locksmith over several years

Street entertainer: weirdly garbed Houdini of the pit queue (b / w photo)
3637419 Street entertainer: weirdly garbed Houdini of the pit queue (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Street entertainer)

Jack Sheppard (chromolitho)
2799741 Jack Sheppard (chromolitho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Jack Sheppard. Illustration from set of cigarette cards on the subject of Highwaymen published)

John Sheppard (engraving)
558899 John Sheppard (engraving) by Thornhill, James (1675-1734) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: John Sheppard.); Look and Learn / Peter Jackson Collection; English, out of copyright

Poster advertising the Bros Zachs, 1912 (colour litho)
PNP313696 Poster advertising the Bros Zachs, 1912 (colour litho) by German School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Zachs brothers, including Georges Zachs)

Harry Houdini, c. 1900 (b / w photo)
5999224 Harry Houdini, c.1900 (b/w photo) by American Photographer (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Harry Houdini, c 1900. From later reproduction.); © Look and Learn

Harry Houdini c. 1898 (litho)
1194746 Harry Houdini c. 1898 (litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Return of the greatest of all magicians, the Houdinis, Harry)

David de Val, Oldham escapologist. 8th October 1992

The Fair at Saint-Cloud, c. 1920 (oil on canvas)
XIR204907 The Fair at Saint-Cloud, c.1920 (oil on canvas) by Veber, Jean (1868-1928); Musee de l Ile de France, Sceaux, France; French, out of copyright

Escapologist entertaining theatre-goers in the pit queue, London, 1926-1927. Illustration from Wonderful London, edited by Arthur St John Adcock, Volume I, published by Amalgamated Press, (London)

Theodore Hardeen brother of Harry Houdini 1905
Theodore Hardeen (1876 1945), Hungarian magician and escape artist, younger brother of the famous Harry Houdini, (with whom he formerly worked with), known simply as Hardeen or Brother of Houdini

Houdini Posing With Female Medium
Escapologist Harry Houdini posing with the confessed fraudulent medium, Anna Clark Benninghoffer in the early twentieth century. Date: circa 1915

Harry Houdini, Tied Up
Harry Houdini the Austrian-Hungarian escapologist (1874 to 1926) being tied up by two members of his audience. Date: circa 1910

Houdini the amateur prison breaker and handcuff king
Harry Houdini (1874 - 1926), in a sequence of photographs escaping from a huge number of imprisoning handcuffs. 1904

Hindu Street Entertainers, India, including a juggler, two musicians (drum and pipes) and what appears to be an escapologist! Date: circa 1909

Houdini Preparing for Bridge Jump
The prolific Austrian-Hungarian escape artist Harry Houdini preparing for one of his many daring feats of escapology, this time a highly publicised Bridge Jump whilst in metal chains. Date: circa 1910

Harry Houdini in chains, c. 1899 (b / w photo)
XOS1766207 Harry Houdini in chains, c.1899 (b/w photo) by American Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; American, out of copyright

Harry Houdini, King of Cards, 1895 (colour lithograph)
XOS1766205 Harry Houdini, King of Cards, 1895 (colour lithograph) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Born Erik Weisz (1874-1926) in Budapest.); American

Petticoat Lane escapologist
An escapologist is prepared by his assistant for another performance, entertaining the crowds at Petticoat Lane market, London, on a Sunday morning Date: 1945

Escapologist - Charing Cross Road, London
A contortionist attempts to escape from a bound sack - Charing Cross Road, London. He is drawing quite a crowd as he attempts this feat

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"Escapologist: Masters of the Impossible" Step into the world of escapologists, where death-defying acts and mind-boggling stunts leave audiences in awe. From the Siberian death defier to aviator baffling John Clempert, these daring individuals have captivated our imaginations for decades. One name that stands out among them all is Harry Houdini. Known as the greatest magician and escape artist of his time, Houdini pushed the boundaries of what was possible. Whether it was his infamous underwater escapes or his ability to free himself from handcuffs during the Daily Mirror Challenge in 1904, he never failed to leave spectators spellbound. But Houdini wasn't alone in this thrilling profession. His brother Theodore Hardeen followed closely in his footsteps, showcasing his own incredible talents as an escapologist in 1905. Together, they formed a dynamic duo that mesmerized audiences worldwide. In one remarkable moment captured on film in 1967, a young boy dives fearlessly into a swimming pool to help untie a man from a chair submerged beneath its surface - an extraordinary display of skill and bravery. This act exemplifies the essence of being an underwater escapologist - pushing oneself beyond limits to achieve seemingly impossible feats. Another astonishing image reveals Houdini posing with a female medium, highlighting not only his mastery over physical restraints but also his relentless pursuit of debunking fraudulent spiritualists. From being tied up and bound by chains to being lowered into New York Bay inside a crate in 1912, these escapologists were true pioneers who challenged conventional notions of freedom and confinement. The legacy left behind by these extraordinary individuals continues to inspire generations today. The artistry and sheer audacity displayed by escapologists remind us that with determination and unwavering resolve, anything can be overcome - even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. So step into their world.