Holy City Magic Now Displaying Rare Houdini Memorabilia

Holy City Magic, Charleston’s only magic theater, is now displaying a rare piece of magic history, a set of needles Harry Houdini owned for his famed “East India Needles” routine. The set of nickel plated T. Hessin & Co. needles was made in Redditch, England and are over 100 years-old. ‘

The East India Needles routine was a staple in Houdini’s show where he would swallow a packet of needles (roughly 25), then swallow a large piece of thread, later regurgitating the needles now tied to the thread.

Howard Blackwell, Holy City Magic’s owner and resident magician, recently acquired the needles from a Houdini collector’s estate.

“I know of four sets of Houdini’s needles that are in existence,” Blackwell said. “From what I have been told, two sets are in museums and the other two, including mine, belong to private collectors.”

To Blackwell, these needles are more than just a historical artifact.

“To me, these needles are special because I started performing my version of Houdini’s needles when I was 16-years-old, and I now open most of my shows at Holy City Magic with the needles routine,” he said.

Audience can see the needles along with other historical memorabilia every weekend at Holy City Magic with shows on Friday and Saturday nights. The theater features magic, comedy, and variety shows. Adults-only evening shows will start with a cocktail hour where magicians will entertain guests with close-up magic at the bar followed by an 90-minute stage performance, while matinees are one-hour all ages shows. Tickets are available at www.HolyCityMagic.com.

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