A Desk With Secrets
Harry Houdini worked among thousands of books, papers and pieces of magic history in the library of his New York City home. At the center of that working library was this remarkable carved wooden desk, fitted with numerous drawers, compartments and concealed spaces.
From Houdini's Home to Monticup's Collection
Houdini used the desk in the library of his home at 278 West 113th Street in New York City. After Houdini's death in 1926, Bess sold the house the following year.
The family that purchased the house kept it for more than half a century, and a number of objects associated with Houdini remained there for decades. Around 1980, as the property changed hands, Houdini-related material from the house began to be dispersed.
A New York antiques dealer eventually acquired the desk. In 1986, magician and collector Peter Monticup purchased it, along with other Houdini material.
Houdini lives and works at his famous New York brownstone at 278 West 113th Street.
Bess Houdini sells the house after Harry's death.
Peter Monticup acquires Houdini's desk and discovers what had remained inside.
Take a Closer Look
An Angled View of the Desk
The Remarkable Bat-Carved Drawers
When Peter Opened the Drawers...
The desk was interesting enough by itself. But Peter discovered something much more personal tucked away inside: a collection of envelopes from correspondence Houdini had received.
They represented an astonishing variety of people and organizations: fellow magicians, business associates, professional organizations, researchers, theaters and others whose lives crossed Houdini's. Some of the envelopes even bear handwritten notations.
These were not props created for Houdini's performances. They were ordinary pieces of his everyday life—correspondence that had passed across Houdini's own desk and survived there long after his death.
The Houdini Envelopes
The envelopes Peter discovered have since become a fascinating historical collection of their own. By researching names, addresses, postmarks and Houdini's handwritten markings, we can trace many of them to people and events in Houdini's life.
EXPLORE THE HOUDINI ENVELOPESMore Than a Photograph in a History Book
This desk has a special connection to MagicTricks.com history. Peter Monticup didn't simply see it in a museum or study it in an old photograph—he owned it, examined its many drawers and compartments, and personally discovered the Houdini correspondence that had remained hidden inside.
Where Is Houdini's Desk Today?
Peter later sold the desk to another private collector. It remains in a private collection today, while many of the original envelopes discovered inside it have been preserved separately.
