HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 – 1926). Houdini Bust Scul...

HOUDINI, Harry (Erik Weisz, 1874 – 1926). Houdini Bust Sculpture. [Texas, ca. 2008]. Plaster bust sculpture based on the rare original depicting Houdini in a coat and bow tie with a red devil perched on one shoulder, and the text “The original hand cuff king” on the plinth below, framed by a laurel wreath, with Houdini’s name at the base of the staute. Painted chalkware, signed by the issuer James Baldauf and numbered “OOO” under the base. A few chips. One of only a handful manufactured, based on the original from Baldauf’s collection.Baldauf received a vintage version of this bust statuette from Jim Bard, a close friend of Houdini’s who worked with the escape artist on the Welsh Brothers Circus in the 1890s. Perhaps three or four original sculptures have survived, and Baldauf produced a small quantity of recreations like this one in the early 2000s, offering them for sale at a high retail price.