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Walking Through a Brick Wall
Walking Through a Brick Wall was an illusion popularized by Houdini on July 13, 1914 at the Hammerstein's in New York.[1]
A wall was built out of bricks onstage. With screens on each side, the performer, concealed by screens passes through the obstacle.[2]
History
C. A. Alexander was performing this illusion as far back as December 1898 in Alaska, using blocks of ice. [3]
It was first performed using a brick wall by P.T. Selbit on June 15, 1914 at Maskelyne & Devant’s Egyptian Hall in London. Sidney E. Josolyne from London, who had never before presented the illusion, claimed he had invented a version in 1913 using a steel plate as the wall.[4] Houdini bought the American rights from Josolyne.[5]
Modern Performances
- Doug Henning performed his version on his 1977 television special, World of Magic III.
- David Copperfield, on his 1986 television special, performed his by walking through the Great Wall of China.
Bibliography
- Dealer ad selling secret for $1, Sphinx (October 1914)
- Popular Mechanics (October 1916)
- Weird Wonders for Wizards by Sydney Josolyne (1923)
- P.T. Selbit: Magical Innovator by Eric Lewis and Peter Warlock (1989)
References
- ↑ Variety Newspaper, July 18, 1914.
- ↑ The Illustrated History of Magic (1973)
- ↑ Sphinx, October 1914
- ↑ 209. SELBIT AND THE LIVERPOOL UNEMPLOYED, The Complete Rich Cabinet of Magical Curiosities by Edwin A. Dawes (2005)
- ↑ Houdini's "Walking Through a Brick Wall" Illusion by Stephen Forrester, Mystifier, Spring 2002