If one were a basketball enthusiast, possessing a pair of sneakers formerly owned by Michael Jordan would be a colossal-sized deal. And for a drummer, just imagine if they were able to buy a kit that once belonged to someone like, say, The Who’s Keith Moon? Magician Criss Angel sure knows what that feels like. On his “MTV Cribs” episode, he showed handcuffs that were owned and worn by Harry Houdini, arguably the most famous escape artist and magician of all time. Angel also revealed that he owned one of Houdini’s keys and a door knocker, all of which was hung up in his 22,000-square foot Las Vegas home.
The auction site Nate D Sanders shows that one pair of Houdini cuffs once went for more than $25,000 but didn’t specify how much more. As for Angel’s cuffs, it’s not clear how old they are so they might’ve sold for a much higher price. Plus, he owns the key and door knocker, which adds even more overall value.
It goes without saying, but Houdini’s legacy means a lot to the illusionist. “It’s been like 80 plus years since his death on Halloween in 1926 and he’s still synonymous with magic and that’s because he left such an impression on people,” Angel told People in 2020. “He was provocative, he was larger-than-life, he was pop culture. I try to remain relevant as Houdini did for his day and age.”
