Included with the irons are signed letters by Silsmer and Tanner along with a photocopy of an autograph letter signed by the widow of Dunninger, providing identifying features and provenance. Previous owners include mentalist and escapologist Richard John Silmser handcuff collector Joseph Tanner of Wheeler-Tanner and John Fisher, gold star member of the Inner Magic Circle. īoth were left by Houdini to his friend, and one of the world’s most talented mentalists, Joseph Dunninger. Other props used by Houdini include a pair of Lilly Leg Irons estimated at £2,000-3,000 and a round barrel screw key padlock, estimated at £1,000-1,500.

This pair and letter are together estimated at £2,000-3,000. Such examples are rare survivors from the escape artist’s acts. Whilst restoring the cuffs, McComb discovered they had been modified by Houdini. Better known as 'Dash,' Houdini’s brother was his stage partner before his wife, Wilhelmina Beatrice ‘Bess’ Rahner, replaced him in the 1890s.

McComb explains how he found them amongst a large collection of rusty props purchased from the widow of Houdini’s brother, Theo Hardeen.

Houdini handcuff escape