Magyar Posta is issuing a unique special souvenir sheet to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of the world-famous escapologist Harry Houdini. Twenty thousand copies of the new issue, based on the work of Tamás Ajtai and designed by Barnabás Baticz, were produced, with the permission of The House of Houdini and under the exclusive licence of David Merlini, by Codex Értékpapírnyomda Zrt. The new issue will be available at first day post offices and Filaposta in Hungary from 29 November 2024, but may also be ordered from Magyar Posta’s online store. The greatest escape artist of all time was born in Budapest on 24 March 1874. He was named Erik by his parents and his surname at birth was Weisz. The family moved to the United States in 1878. As a child, the magic tricks of a travelling magician, Dr Lynn, captivated him to such an extent that he developed a deep interest in conjuring. At the age of 12, he ran away from home in the hope of finding a better life and a well-paid job. Erik, who changed his name first to Ehrich and then to Harry, eventually found work in New York. At around this time, he read his first book on magic, the autobiography of Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin. To express his admiration for his great predecessor, Harry added an “i” to Houdin’s name, and, from then on, he and his performing partner Jacob Hyman became known as the “Houdini Brothers”. Hyman was later replaced by Houdini’s real brother “Dash” (Theodore, born Dezső Ferenc Weisz). From the early 1900s, Houdini’s success on stage and in his performances made him the most celebrated man of the age, his name becoming a metaphor for breaking free, escaping and mystery. The artist died in Detroit on 31 October 1926. His name is still known worldwide and the star of his art shines brighter than ever... The House of Houdini at 11 Dísz tér, in one of the most attractive parts of Budapest’s Castle District, apart from welcoming lovers and practitioners of magic, is a tribute to the greatest escape artist of all time, the Hungarian-born Harry Houdini. Its aim is to preserve in a befitting manner the memory and art of the artist and illusionist after whom it is named and to present to posterity rarely seen, noteworthy memorabilia. Source: thehouseofhoudini.com Harry Houdini was also a true pioneer in the film industry. The design in the frame of the souvenir sheet shows the scene from a film performance at the moment he breaks free, while a padlock can be seen in the stamp. A special feature of the souvenir sheet is that the stamp itself can be peeled back and, after folding back the flap, a half-length portrait of Harry Houdini appears in the space below the stamp. Another special feature of the souvenir sheet is that the half-length portrait of Harry Houdini appears in the padlock on the stamp under UV light, while the padlock appears in the half-length portrait of Harry Houdini after the stamp has been opened. An escape act appears on the commemorative first day cover, while the imprint of the postmark on the cover features the half-length portrait and signature of the renowned magician.