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Gifts from Houdini: Story of a Partnership

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We are pleased to share an additional story about Carleete and Houdini, as told by Andrew Van Buren  and  reproduced from the HowesFamilies.com Genealogy pages .   "We are very pleased to recount here the story of one of Carleete's tricks which must now be close to 100 years old but still in occasional use. Full credit to circus performer, magician and plate spinner, Andrew Van Buren, whom I met in October 2019 and subsequently wrote to me with this story. ================================== I write this slice of history after One-Name Study researcher Paul Howes attended one of my talks on the founder of the modern circus, Philip Astley. Afterwards, Paul came to speak to me about two particular branches of the Howes Family, the first included Captain Sidney Howes, who was a famous Lion Tamer, Paul was surprised and excited to learn that Sidney Howes' Grandson, Michael, is one of my long-standing best friends in the circus industry, but also Paul mentioned another bran
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Selling an invention to Houdini by Carleete

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Carleete inventor and escapologist (Harry Howes) Carleete was the stage name of Harry Howes, born 8 May 1873, who claimed to be the inventor of the Water Escape trick, also known as the Water Torture Cell, Under Water Escape and Mysterious Cask. This trick was sold to Harry Houdini in 1911 and this post tells the story of this event. Carleete was an inventor and performer of magic tricks and escapology around the Bradford area in the early 20th century, often performing often on the same bill as his wife. He also owned a theatre licence to organise and run shows that could include acts such as jugglers, singers, piano players with himself as the final and star act.  The name Carleete was also later taken up by his son Osmond Howes, and later his grandson Raymond (Ray) Howes in the 1950s.   See related post:  Gifts from Houdini: Story of a Partnership  The original Carleete - Harry Howes. Harry with magic props One of Harry Howes
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