Houdini museum new york city12/23/2023 ![]() ![]() Over here is a picture of Houdini in Atlantic City when he was sixteen. ![]() "The initial pieces of our collection range from a Robert-Houdin letter, which of course was the inspiration of Jacob Hayman naming Houdini from that.We have the famous 1895 photo of Houdini as the King of Cards…We have pictures of Jacob Hayman as the Brothers Houdini doing the barrel escape. So, we have been very fortunate."Īs we began to walk throughout the museum, Roger excitedly began to point out the many highlights of the collection and how he obtained them. Also, much of it came from Stanley Palm who knew Marie Hinson (Bess Houdini’s sister). Many came from Bernard Ernst’s collection…and the Sidney Radner auction. So, it was a lot of fun acquiring it from people who knew Houdini, relatives of Houdini, as well as through other magic collectors…Ī lot of my items came from the estate of Jack Chanin. When I started collecting Houdini in the 90s, I ended up trading a lot of this rare apparatus with other magicians. From him, I would get paid a lot in antique magic which I would collect for years. "In the past I was inspired by Al Flosso whom I used to work for as a kid (at Martinka Magic). ![]() It’s with customized, beautiful burgundy wall paper and gold sparkled floors with a really cool type of magic mini-theater." But, it really took off with the help of the architect David Rockwell (who had worked on the now defunct Hugh Jackman Houdini musical) who came in and designed our museum for us. Fantasma Magic has had a small Houdini display since 2006. "The Houdini Museum of New York has only been in this current location for 2 ½ years. In terms of the museum setting itself, it’s very obvious that you were going for a very classic magic feel for the displays. Many people say this is the largest permanent collection of Houdini items that is on display seven days a week where people can visit." We have a lot of inspirational talks and different lectures and performances where we even let the kids try on the actual Houdini handcuffs…We’re very proud of a lot of the unique items that we have on display. Our whole goal (at the museum) is to motivate children to be the next legends of magic or the next Harry Houdini. There’s another story unto itself right there. "Everything is from my personal collection with the exception of a lone item from the Society of American Magicians which is Houdini’s second bust that was created and then stolen in 1976.and then magically reappeared at the Nassau County Police Department. But, in the world of Harry Houdini you wouldn’t want it any other way.Ĭan you tell me a bit about your collection and the Houdini Museum of New York? It’s a collection that has to be seen to be believed. Dreyer and get a personal and insightful tour of his collection. It is here that I was able to meet with Mr. It’s an age that harkens back to a simpler and more innocent time where legends like Al and Jackie Flosso would hawk their magical wares and educate those who were willing to learn. Push past two metal doors, and you will find yourself transported to a golden age of New York magic. Inside his glass cage is Zoltan who is more than happy to share his wisdom with you…for a small fee of course. This impressive display is what greeted me one rainy December afternoon as I made my way to “Fantasma Magic,” home to the “Houdini Museum of New York.”Īs the elevator doors open you are greeted by a vintage fortune telling machine. Or more to the point, a row of vintage Houdini magic posters taking up one row of office windows. On the face of the towering Sports Plaza office building, you might just be able to make out the confidant visage of Harry Houdini staring down at you. ![]() If you ever find yourself in New York City at the corner of 33rd Street and 7th Avenue look up. I'm very excited to share PART ONE of that interview today. Neil was able to interview owner Roger Dreyer about what is now one of the largest public displays of authentic Houdini memorabilia in the world. Recently our friend and frequent contributor Neil McNally traveled to New York where he visited the remarkable Houdini Museum of New York in Fantasma Magic. ![]()
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