Description

Selby, W., compiler. The Great Handcuff and Gaol Breaking Mystery Exposed. [from the half-title: “Showing for the First Time How the Performer Escapes from Handcuffs, Leg Irons, Chains, Prison Cell, Lunatic Straight Jacket, Ropes, Boxes, Tin Trunks, Sacks &c., &c.”] Manchester, England: Daisy Bank Printing and Publishing Co., [ca. 1914]. 12 mo, pictorial white wrappers. 31 pp., b&w portrait on title page, 3 b&w illus., publisher ad on back wrapper. 

In this fascinating pamphlet, the escape artist W. Selby shares the secrets of his trade. His Great Handcuff Trick involved hiding 26 keys in his clothing in 2” long x 1/2” wide pockets, allowing him to reach a key from any direction; he concealed keys at the left knee, right knee, bottom of the trousers, left hip, right elbow, side of the coat collar, hanging from a ribbon around the neck. Among the other tricks are: The Siberian Rope Trick, The Strait Jacket, The Chinese Spirit Collar, The Nailed-Up Box and The Thumb-Tying Trick.  Includes 3 illustrations of the performer by The London Portrait Co. Back wrapper lists 14 other Daisy Bank Publications. A copy of this pamphlet is included in the Harry Houdini Collection of the Library of Congress.

CONDITION: Good, toned, foxing on back wrapper;  lightly creased throughout, chipping at bottom edge of pp. 17-26 not affecting text.
 

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