Handcuff Secrets

Houdini shines in this book. Handcuffs are his passion. He knows every little detail about them and every nuance in their mechanism. Houdini was not a particular good magician, but as an escape artist he is still unsurpassed. Thus, if you would like to know more about handcuffs and their inner workings, this book is for you. 1st edition, 1909, George Routledge & Sons, London; later reprinted by Magico Magazine, New York; 110 pages. Preface I.Introductory II.Opening Sealed Handcuffs III.Blunders of some Handcuff Exposers IV.Fake or Spoof Manacle V.American Manacles VI.French Letter Cuff VII.Lock Pickers VIII.Safe-Opening Micrometer IX.Skeleton Keys X.Cologne Police Sued for Libel XI.More Lock-Picking Implements XII.Strait-Jacket Release XIII.Method of Escape XIV.Historical Lock-Picking Contests, with James Sargent as the Centre Figure XV.Handcuffs and their Keys