Harry Houdini Escape Artist The Handcuff King Circus Leg Iron 1904 Real Photo Postcard

Harry Houdini, born Erik Weisz in 1874, rose to international fame as a master escape artist and magician in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He earned the title "The Handcuff King" through his legendary public escapes from various restraints, including police handcuffs, chains, and straitjackets, often challenging local authorities to secure him. This iconic image, featuring him bound in multiple shackles, captures his early persona during a pivotal period of his career, likely dating from his foundational European tours around 1900-1904, where he challenged law enforcement across the continent.

Houdini's theatrical exploits resonated deeply with audiences during an era of burgeoning mass media and public fascination with spectacle and the seemingly impossible. His meticulously crafted illusions and daring public stunts, coupled with innovative self-promotion, elevated him to one of the world's first global superstars of entertainment. He profoundly influenced modern magic and showmanship, transforming the perception of illusionists into daring public figures and establishing a blueprint for celebrity in the burgeoning entertainment industry.