Unique colourised (by hand) photograph of Harry Houdini. On July 15, 1914, Houdini performed his overboard box escape off New York's Battery Park before a crowd of 15,000. It's an escape that, while well-represented in photos, receives scant attention in most Houdini biographies. This is surprising as it was a major event and also gave Houdini one of his closest calls (according to him). So I thought it was high time to shine a light on this uncelebrated but still spectacular Houdini escape.
Photo shows Houdini, dressed in a dark colored bathing suit, shackled in two pairs of handcuffs and leg-irons, with chains running from his hands to his ankles. He was then nailed into the packing box which was then roped and secured with what the Tribune called "steel tape." The box was then lowered over the side of the tug under the careful eye of Photographer Jim Collins.
                                
 
                                The past comes closer when it's coloured. Hang the iconic images you are used to in black and white on the wall in colour. Be surprised by Colourful History! Now also the original black and white pictures, but then restored... Read more…
 
                         Charlie Chaplin & The Kid (1921)Colourful History
Charlie Chaplin & The Kid (1921)Colourful History Paperboys, March 1909Colourful History
Paperboys, March 1909Colourful History 1910 They were all smoking, MissouriColourful History
1910 They were all smoking, MissouriColourful History Steamfitter, 1921 Lewis HineColourful History
Steamfitter, 1921 Lewis HineColourful History 1917, Daredevil Jammie Reynolds balancing chairsColourful History
1917, Daredevil Jammie Reynolds balancing chairsColourful History 1914, Harry Houdini, Escape Act, Battery Park New YorkColourful History
1914, Harry Houdini, Escape Act, Battery Park New YorkColourful History Lunch atop a Skyscraper (1932)Colourful History
Lunch atop a Skyscraper (1932)Colourful History Interior of general store and poolroom at Stem, Granville County, North Carolina, 1940.Colourful History
Interior of general store and poolroom at Stem, Granville County, North Carolina, 1940.Colourful History "Toward Los Angeles", 1937Colourful History
"Toward Los Angeles", 1937Colourful History Model Lisa Fonssagrives in Paddington Station LondonColourful History
Model Lisa Fonssagrives in Paddington Station LondonColourful History Woman and man lying on a dock, 1940Colourful History
Woman and man lying on a dock, 1940Colourful History Indian "Whirling Horse", ca. 1898Colourful History
Indian "Whirling Horse", ca. 1898Colourful History "Dali Atomicus", Salvador Dali 1948Colourful History
"Dali Atomicus", Salvador Dali 1948Colourful History