Unique colourised (by hand) photograph of Harry Houdini. On July 15, 1914, Houdini performed his overboard box escape off New York's Battery Park before a crowd of 15,000. It's an escape that, while well-represented in photos, receives scant attention in most Houdini biographies. This is surprising as it was a major event and also gave Houdini one of his closest calls (according to him). So I thought it was high time to shine a light on this uncelebrated but still spectacular Houdini escape.
Photo shows Houdini, dressed in a dark colored bathing suit, shackled in two pairs of handcuffs and leg-irons, with chains running from his hands to his ankles. He was then nailed into the packing box which was then roped and secured with what the Tribune called "steel tape." The box was then lowered over the side of the tug under the careful eye of Photographer Jim Collins.
The past comes closer when it's coloured. Hang the iconic images you are used to in black and white on the wall in colour. Be surprised by Colourful History! Now also the original black and white pictures, but then restored... Read more…