Photo courtesy of Harry Ransom Center

Following Harry Houdini’s untimely death in 1926, his widow Bess sold the famed illusionist’s massive collection of magic and theatrical history to a New York real estate developer. Assembled over decades from his vast network of dealers and friends, Houdini's collection ultimately came to the University of Texas in 1958. Using examples from the Ransom Center’s archives, Eric Colleary, the Ransom Center's Cline Curator of Theatre and Performing Arts, unravels the surprising stories behind Houdini’s collecting, rivaling the drama of his greatest escapes.

Following Harry Houdini’s untimely death in 1926, his widow Bess sold the famed illusionist’s massive collection of magic and theatrical history to a New York real estate developer. Assembled over decades from his vast network of dealers and friends, Houdini's collection ultimately came to the University of Texas in 1958. Using examples from the Ransom Center’s archives, Eric Colleary, the Ransom Center's Cline Curator of Theatre and Performing Arts, unravels the surprising stories behind Houdini’s collecting, rivaling the drama of his greatest escapes.

Following Harry Houdini’s untimely death in 1926, his widow Bess sold the famed illusionist’s massive collection of magic and theatrical history to a New York real estate developer. Assembled over decades from his vast network of dealers and friends, Houdini's collection ultimately came to the University of Texas in 1958. Using examples from the Ransom Center’s archives, Eric Colleary, the Ransom Center's Cline Curator of Theatre and Performing Arts, unravels the surprising stories behind Houdini’s collecting, rivaling the drama of his greatest escapes.

WHEN

WHERE

Harry Ransom Center
300 W. 21st St.
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78712
https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/events/

TICKET INFO

Admission is free.
All events are subject to change due to weather or other concerns. Please check with the venue or organization to ensure an event is taking place as scheduled.