Harry Houdini’s 100-Year Death Anniversary Sparks New Publications and Renewed Debate

On the Saturday marking the 100th anniversary of Houdini’s death, *The Strand* published his unpublished 1915 article “An Interesting Scrapbook,” preserved at the Houdini Library, Harry Ransom Center. The release coincides with centennial events worldwide, including a gala and séances in Budapest, a Hollywood memorabilia auction, and a multi-month exhibition of Houdini’s personal collection at the Ransom Center that runs until 24 January 2027.

‘Encounter the unexpected’: Harry Houdini exhibition commemorates the famed illusionist on the centenary of his death

Erik Weisz, born March 24 1874 in Budapest, immigrated to the United States and became Harry Houdini, the “Handcuff King.” His final performance was in Detroit on October 24 1926; he collapsed backstage, was hospitalized at Grace Hospital, and died of peritonitis from a ruptured appendix, according to the Ransom Center’s records.

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Since the 1920s, the death’s circumstances have been debated. Contemporary media linked the illness to abdominal punches delivered by a McGill University student on October 22 1926. Retired urological surgeon Larrian Gillespie argues a bowel obstruction caused by a bowl of chop suey on October 28 led to sepsis and that the death certificate was altered to list October 31 1926 for dramatic effect, citing a doctor’s affidavit placing death on October 30. No autopsy was performed.

IFL Science

• More than two dozen books, short stories and plays were authored by Houdini.

Harry Houdini was a serious book collector. Here are some of his weirdest finds.

• The Library of Congress holds 3,988 volumes from Houdini’s bequest, covering magic, spiritualism, witchcraft and related subjects.

Harry Houdini’s Halloween Centennial: The Escape Artist Who Challenged the Spirit World - WEIS

• The centennial exhibition features thousands of playbills, scrapbooks and rare ephemera, many unique to Houdini’s collection.

‘Encounter the unexpected’: Harry Houdini exhibition commemorates the famed illusionist on the centenary of his death

• Jeremy Dimick, curator at the Detroit Historical Museum, described Houdini’s final days: “He doesn’t have the strength to put his makeup on before the show, and he’s kind of collapsing during the intermissions of the show.”

NPR

• Eric Colleary, curator of theatre and performing arts at the Harry Ransom Center, noted Houdini’s belief that “all of human knowledge was in books.”

‘Encounter the unexpected’: Harry Houdini exhibition commemorates the famed illusionist on the centenary of his death

• Houdini scholar Bruce Averbook rejected the claim that the death date was altered, stating, “He had no reason to lie about this.”

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Gillespie’s book *Houdini: The Man Who Died Twice* challenges the appendix narrative, proposing a “fibrous mass” from chop suey caused a bowel obstruction and that the death certificate was falsified for publicity. Several experts, including Averbook and blogger John Cox, remain skeptical, arguing the evidence for a cover-up is circumstantial and that the punches are not proven to have caused the rupture.

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• The official death certificate lists October 31 1926; Gillespie cites a doctor’s affidavit indicating October 30.

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• Sources differ on whether the Montreal punches directly ruptured the appendix; trauma-induced appendicitis is rare.

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• No autopsy was performed, and original medical records contain redactions, leaving the exact cause of death open to interpretation.

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