Saturday, January 10, 2009

Recently sold on Ebay • Houdini Poster

Houdini "Buried Alive"

(Otis Litho, 1926)

Eight Sheet (106" X 81")


This stunt was “planned” to be performed by Houdini in his 1926 tour in the United States!


This generously sized ORIGINAL 1926 Vintage Poster is absolutely STUNNING!

The legendary illusionist Harry Houdini managed one final feat, escaping death by shrouding his life in myth. Even as he worked to demystify magic and expose frauds who claimed supernatural gifts, his life followed an ominous path that only contributed to his legend.

His death by peritonitis occurred on Halloween of 1926 in Detroit, where he was preparing to perform a stunt in which he would be buried alive (the stunt featured). He intended for the escape to top that of another magician who had angered Houdini by boasting that he had summoned a supernatural trance to survive and liberate himself.

This eight sheet promotes the feat and Houdini's revenge on the "Egyptian fakirs." Historians doubt if he ever had a chance to attempt the trick; when he died, the casket to be used in the performance was instead used to carry his body back to New York.

The gorgeous stone litho poster shows very little wear. It is excellent condition and has been completely and professionally restored. This poster is magnificent for many reasons, including the fact that is touts an appearance Houdini never lived long enough to make! Collectors will surely jump at the chance to own a piece of well-preserved history.

Very Fine on Linen.

Sold for $12,500

Friday, January 09, 2009

My brother and mother 20 years ago

TGIF

11 AM, 54 degrees. Supposed to get up to 75 degrees today, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

Been a chilly month or two, I’m ready for some warmer, sunny, Southern California weather.

Mediocre results last two afternoons at work, at the CityWalk. Weak numbers at Universal Studios leaves me not much to work with there. Hopefully, with a warmer weekend, I’ll be able to pick up the slack.

Found out the hard way, that it is now illegal for me to street perform at Hollywood & Highland. Evidently the new rules exclude any amplification and the setting of anything up like a table or an audience. Guess the strolling costumed characters are loving the absence of the break dancers and other variety acts like magicians, jugglers and other social oddities.

It’s a changing world and watching the news, inspires no confidence.

It’s all good. Life is a journey.

I’ll keep a smile on my face, love in my heart and do what I do. . . whatever that is.

For now, I’ll head to the gym, get some lunch and then head to work. Park closes at 5PM.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009


Flipping the cards, originally uploaded by ToreLo.

Monday, January 05, 2009

Prisoner in my own country. . . by my own hand

Oh, so fucked, so seriously fucked, it’s not even funny

Just when I thought something good was happening for me professionally

I take a step back to explain

I got a great gig in Beijing for a month maybe two, one show a night and perhaps get a magic shop started. that was the talk, the contract was all but signed and plane tickets bought. Club owner already advertising an opening of Feb. 6 for Beijing's only comedy magic club.

On Dec. 23rd I overnighted my shit to renew my passport. Today I got the ugly letter informing me that my request had been denied due to child support owed.

A gig that might have helped me pay my child support, taken away from me because I owe $25,000 in back child support.

Don’t make much sense to me, but I’m not that bright. Hell, if I were, I probably wouldn’t be in this mess.

But I am, and got no one to blame but myself

Kids I can’t pay for, even though I really want to.

I like to think that my child support payment history clearly demonstrates, that if I have the money. . . she does. I want to make enough to pay my child support. . . REALLY!

So many things working against so many people
A planet full of problems
and a belly full of booze

shit who knows, maybe I’ll get another DUI on my way to score some pot I can’t afford.

I’ll lay it out for you

I’m not going away
you can’t kill me
or my spirit

I will survive

happy new year

Friend of the Devil

I lit out from reno, I was trailed by twenty hounds
Didnt get to sleep last night till the morning came around.

Set out runnin but I take my time
A friend of the devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight.

Ran into the devil, babe, he loaned me twenty bills
I spent the night in utah in a cave up in the hills.

Set out runnin but I take my time, a friend of the devil is a friend of mine,
If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight.

I ran down to the levee but the devil caught me there
He took my twenty dollar bill and vanished in the air.

Set out runnin but I take my time
A friend of the devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight.

Got two reasons why I cry away each lonely night,
The first ones named sweet anne marie, and shes my hearts delight.
The second one is prison, babe, the sheriffs on my trail,
And if he catches up with me, Ill spend my life in jail.

Got a wife in chino, babe, and one in cherokee
The first one says shes got my child, but it dont look like me.

Set out runnin but I take my time,
A friend of the devil is a friend of mine,
If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight.