By research and study I would unearth history yet unwritten, and record unsung triumphs of this great inventor and artiste. Then, when Fate turned kind and the golden pathway of success led me into broader avenues of work, I determined that my first tour abroad should be dedicated to adding new laurels to the fame of Robert-Houdin. I asked nothing more of life than to become in my profession like Robert-Houdin.īy this time I had re-read his works until I could recite passage after passage from memory. When it became necessary for me to take a stage-name, and a fellow-player, possessing a veneer of culture, told me that if I would add the letter i to Houdin’s name, it would mean, in the French language, like Houdin, I adopted the suggestion with enthusiasm. To my unsophisticated mind, his Memoirs gave to the profession a dignity worth attaining at the cost of earnest, life-long effort. What Blackstone is to the struggling lawyer, Hardee’s Tactics to the would-be officer, or Bismarck’s life and writings to the coming statesman, Robert-Houdin’s books were to me.

I accepted his writings as my text-book and my gospel. From the moment that I began to study the art, he became my guide and hero. My interest in conjuring and magic and my enthusiasm for Robert-Houdin came into existence simultaneously. THIS book is the natural result of the moulding, dominating influence which the spirit and writings of Robert-Houdin have exerted over my professional career. Who instilled in me love of study and patience in research

This Book is affectionately dedicated to the memory of Produced by Chuck Greif, Broward County Libraries and theĮntered at Stationer’s Hall, London, EnglandĬomposition, Electrotyping and Printing by *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE UNMASKING OF ROBERT-HOUDIN *** With this eBook or online at Title: The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin Re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and withĪlmost no restrictions whatsoever. Project Gutenberg's The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin, by Harry Houdini

Unmasking of robert houdin