Step into Houdini's World

Support the Upcoming Exhibition Houdini’s Library 

 

Harry Houdini in his home library, c. 1925. Photographer unknown. Gelatin silver print. Courtesy of the Ken Trombly Collection.

Harry Houdini in his home library, c. 1925. Photographer unknown. Gelatin silver print. Courtesy of the Ken Trombly Collection.

This fall, the Ransom Center’s upcoming exhibition, Houdini’s Library, will look into the life and extraordinary collection of Harry Houdini, one of history’s most famous illusionists. The exhibition will reveal an unknown but critical part of Houdini’s identity and story.  

Houdini collected voraciously from booksellers, collectors and elder magicians from around the world, using the material to better understand the different ways illusions were performed and for his own writing.  

Houdini’s library became an extension of his identity. 

“These programs, advertisements, newspaper notices, and crude cuts trace the history of magic as no romancer, no historian of a single generation possibly could. They are the ghosts of dead and gone magicians, rising in this century of research and progress to claim the credit due them.”⁠  

Harry Houdini 

Unidentified Photographer, [Harry Houdini in a publicity photo for his silent film The Grim Game], 1919. Gelatin silver print. Harry Houdini Papers, Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin.

Unidentified Photographer, [Harry Houdini in a publicity photo for his silent film The Grim Game], 1919. Gelatin silver print. Harry Houdini Papers, Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin.

Harry Houdini in front of his magic library at home, c. 1920. Photographer unknown. Gelatin silver print. Courtesy of the McCord Stewart Museum.

Harry Houdini in front of his magic library at home, c. 1920. Photographer unknown. Gelatin silver print. Courtesy of the McCord Stewart Museum.

Support our mission to share the HRC's extraordinary collections with everyone.

Donate today!

Donors earn a chance to win a behind-the-scenes experience with Eric Colleary, the curator of Houdini's Library,

For assistance, please contact Development Specialist Rebecca Dearlove at rebecca.dearlove@austin.utexas.edu.

Russell, Morgan and Co. (active 1867–present), [Poster featuring Harry Houdini in his milk can escape], 1908. Harry Houdini Papers, osf 9. Gift of the Hoblitzelle Foundation.

Russell, Morgan and Co. (active 1867–present), [Poster featuring Harry Houdini in his milk can escape], 1908. Harry Houdini Papers, osf 9. Gift of the Hoblitzelle Foundation.

Harry Houdini reading a book in his home library, c. 1925. Photographer unknown. Courtesy of the McCord Stewart Museum

Harry Houdini reading a book in his home library, c. 1925. Photographer unknown. Courtesy of the McCord Stewart Museum

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