A collection of props used by Harry Houdini, including a pair of handcuffs, is to star at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions' Bibliophile sale on December 12.
The handcuffs were bought by magician Billy McComb from the widow of Houdini's brother, Dash, who was Houdini's one-time stage partner. They are now consigned to the sale with an estimate of ?�2,000-3,000 ($3,276-4,915).
 Houdini has altered the handcuffs, which means that they were most likely used for his most challenging acts |
The handcuffs, which have been modified by Houdini, are accompanied by a letter of provenance from McComb. Houdini usually used unprepared equipment, so it is likely that this pair of cuffs were used for his Chinese Water Torture act or other high-risk manoeuvres.
 Dunninger was also a very talented mentalist and escapologist |
Also included are a pair of Lilly Leg Irons from Houdini, valued at ?�2,000-3,000 ($3,276-4,915), and a round barrel screw key padlock, which is estimated to sell for ?�1,000-1,500 ($1,638-2,457).
Both were left to Houdini's friend and mentalist Joseph Dunninger, a gold star member of the Inner Magic Circle, and were previously owned by escapologist Richard John Silmser and handcuff collector Joseph Tanner.
In July, a hand-corrected manuscript from Houdini sold for $40,000 with RR Auction.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has this wonderful signed photograph of Harry Houdini for sale.
