Posted 13 years ago
anicolmag
(1 item)
I purchased my Houdini (Silver Plated) flask in 2007 from the Houdini Magic Shop in Las Vegas. The flask reads.... To Supt. Pierce From the Master of Manacles Harry Houdini. The officer, whose name is engraved upon it, was involved in a jail cell escape that Houdini performed. Houdini was very appreciative of the police and it was very good public relations for him to acknowledge the officer. I have had The History Detectives (PBS), research this item last year for a spot on their season 9 show this year. Unfortunately, they were unable to find enough information to make a definitive finding about the flask in the time allotted and had to move on to another story. Although they did email me some images from a pitch book that was published about Houdini’s escape from a city prison dated from 1906 (including a picture of officer Pierce himself). They also gave me a list of some different experts they talked to about the flask and their comments about it. I’m hoping someone out there can shed some more light on my cherished antique flask from the Great Houdini!
Interesting item-- the lack of discoloration in the engraving would concern me as would anything with a Houdini inscription!
What did the experts have to say about it?
WOW! LOVE IT!
The experts said the flask is from correct era, but engraving could have been done at another time. However, one expert suggested to get engraving tested and another said although there is a lot of fake stuff out there, it would be a lot of effort to go through the trouble of getting a vintage flask engraved. Also, this flask was purchased along with a lot of other Houdini items by Geno Munari. (Geno is president of Houdini's Magic shop in Nevada) which were owned by Sidney Radner. Radner received many Houdini items from Houdini's brother, Theodore Hardeen. Munari stands behind all his items and has offered to purchase it back from me for the purchase price I paid for as long as I own it. I am determined to continue the search for the answers of this mysterious flask!