COME-ALONG HANDCUFFs (HOUDINI-HARDEEN Collection) Start Price USD 2,500.00 Current Price USD 2,500.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, July 25, 2008 End Time Friday, August 01, 2008 Location Spring, Texas See more about 'COME-ALONG HANDCUFFs (HOUDINI-HARDEEN Collection)' Description "COME-ALONG" HANDCUFFs From the HOUDINI-HARDEEN Collection Open Cuffs in display box. Open Cuffs in display box. Closed cuffs in display box. Closed cuffs in display box. Display box open, looking straight down. "COME-ALONG" HANDCUFFs From the HOUDINI-HARDEEN Collection In 1995, I purchased a wonderful Houdini Collection from a gentleman in Florida. In addition to all the items in this Collection, there were several sets of Handcuffs which belonged to Houdini. What’s offered here is the Come-Along Handcuffs. In the middle of the nineteenth century a 'scissor' style of cuffs was produced. Also known as 'snips' or 'snaps'. The cuffs, in this offering, were made by Hiatt and are stamped with the Hiatt name. Below, are assorted photos of the Handcuffs, their display box, a close up of the name plate and the assorted provenance letters. The Handcuffs are in working order. The photos, below, show the cuffs in the closed and open position. Some of the chrome has worn off. The handcuffs come with three letters, showing you how they are traced back to HOUDINI. One letter is a xerox, from the gentleman in Florida, telling about the handcuffs, the whole collection and how all came to be in his collection. The second letter is another xerox (dated 1979) from William Mahan (to the gentleman in Florida), stating that the handcuffs, etc. were obtained from Hardeen, who had told Mr. Mahan, the material came from Houdini’s collection. Mr. Mahan was a CLOSE Personal Friend of the Hardeen family and obtained a lot of Houdini’s material during Hardeen’s later life. A portion of the letter from Mr. Mahan (dated October 10, 1979) states: I am sorry that you missed out on the collection of magic I sold to Goulet. But, I am happy that you got the things Ray didn't. The red drape I gave you belonged to Adelaide Hermann; it was given to Lady Ruth, my wife. Also, the (yellow) tipped wand you received was Theo Hardeen's. We were close to Hardeen you know. I'm giving you this wand with with a set of lock picks. I got the picks, and the handcuffs I sold, from Hardeen who told me they came from Houdini's collection. Theo's gifts were the heart of my collection. Pete, if I can be of any assistance regarding any of the posters, magic apparatus, memorabilia, etc., please don't hesitate to ask. The last letter is from me, stating how the collection came to be in my possession. The handcuffs have been placed in a Walnut Box, which has a glass lid, so the handcuffs may be viewed. The box measures 12"x18"x3" Deep. The box has a nice varnish and is a bit darker than the photos, above, show. The handcuffs are resting on a pillow of Red Satin (which is actually a little darker than the photo's above) -and- there is a name plate, on top of the glass lid, describing the cuffs. The box has two latches which can either be opened or locked (keys included). As a little Bonus, I will include a Xerox copy of a Lengthy Newspaper article (Sunday, July 3, 1988, with photo’s) written about the gentleman in Florida by Times Staff Writer Laura Griffin. Good luck to all bidders!!! If you'd like to see Rare Houdiniana from my personal collection (shown in 40 photos) and Biography on myself - click the "ME" above - which is located just after my Ebay ID name of: Gran*Houdini. I hope you'll enjoy reading about this Ebay Seller. PayPal, Personal Checks, Money Orders, -but- PayPal is preferred. Payment via PayPal or a Postal Money Order gets your order sent within 48 hours of receipt. Unless it arrives on a Friday or Saturday, then it's mailed on the following Monday. If you have questions, click here: Houdini374@aol.com. LayAway is available, should you like to use this service we offer. Just email for details. To see what else we have to offer, please click "View Seller's Other Items" above. Shipping to be paid by the Winning Bidder. Insurance and Delivery Confirmation optional. I reserve the right to cancel ANY Ebayer's bid. Weather in Spring, Texas: Powered by eBay Turbo ListerThe free listing tool. List your items fast and easy and manage your active items. Place a Bid!