Escaping Obscurity - The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini, 1897-1899

It's a masterpiece.” David Copperfield

“Caveney and his team have outdone themselves with this one. Absolute stunner of a book!” Josh Miller

“Hearing Houdini's voice through his own words is spellbinding, and the production quality is next level. Stunning.” Allan Taylor

“The book is a thing of beauty and a must have by all. The unbelievable array of rare photographs alone is worth the investment.” Joe Notaro

Escaping Obscurity: The Travel Diary of Harry Houdini, 1897–1899 is one of the most revealing Houdini books ever published - because it tells the story before the legend.

This extraordinary volume reproduces Houdini’s personal travel diary from his early years on the road, when he and Bess were performing in dime museums, circuses, vaudeville houses, and spiritualist chambers, barely scraping by. Every small triumph and painful setback is recorded in Houdini’s own hand, culminating in the telegram from Martin Beck that urged him to abandon magic and focus on escapes - a single message that changed Houdini’s career, and the history of magic, forever.

The diary has been painstakingly deciphered and annotated by leading Houdini historian John Cox, providing invaluable context on every page. The book is further enriched with an extraordinary collection of rare photographs - many published here for the first time - assembled with care into a stunning 373-page, full-color volume measuring 9 x 12 inches. Designed by Michael Albright, the final result is a museum-quality book that is as beautiful as it is historically important.

This is not just another Houdini biography - it is a primary source, brought to life. An essential addition for collectors, historians, and anyone fascinated by the true origins of the world’s most famous magician.

Book Details

• Hardcover
• 373 pages
• Full color
• 9 x 12 inches
• Annotated by John Cox
• Includes rare and unpublished photographs