Houdini prop goes under hammer

Secrets of Houdini's milk churn will pass to new owners

A milk churn used by American escapologist Harry Houdini in a spectacular illusion is to be auctioned in Wiltshire.

The 3ft tall, galvanised steel can, complete with six padlocks, seems like an ordinary milk churn.

But the secret of how the daring escape from the tiny canister was made will pass on to the new owner when it is auctioned on 25 May.

During the stunt, Houdini, who died in 1926, freed himself after being handcuffed and submerged in the water-filled churn.

It's absolutely baffling. I spent ages going over it with a fine tooth comb, and just couldn't tell

Alan Aldridge

He called it "the best escape that I have ever invented".

The can, which has Houdini's name cut into its top, is expected to fetch between £5,000 and £7,000 when it goes on sale at Henry Aldridge and Son of Devizes on 25 May.

Auctioneer Alan Aldridge said Houdini items always attracted great interest among collectors and were relatively rare.

An autograph alone could fetch an average of £2,000, he said.

Mr Aldridge said it took him some time to work out its secret.

Audience hyped

He said: "It's actually very simple, but absolutely baffling when you first look.

"I spent ages going over it with a fine tooth comb, and just couldn't tell."

The trick would be performed behind a screen called "the ghost house".

The great showman would hype-up his audience, warning them "failure would mean death by drowning" and making them hold their breath as long as they could while they watched.

The churn was passed on to the auction house by a magician who was given it by escapologist John Ermani, who in turn was passed it by one of Houdini's assistants.