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WHO WAS AQUAMARINE?



This document, drawn up in elegant copperplate Russian script, is page one of Houdini's contract to play St. Petersburg in 1903.

 It is full of mysteries. 

 The one we're trying to crack now concerns the elusive Gregory Mihailovich Aquamarine, named in this document as Houdini's interpreter and "indispensable to him."



We've broken our heads deciphering and translating the ancient Russian script and all we know is that Aquamarine, according to this document, came from Warsaw. 

 We can guess that Houdini met him in Berlin, where he first began to study Russian in preparation for his upcoming five month gig in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Houdini's Russian speech was criticized because of his Polish accent, and we're guessing he picked it up from Aquamarine.

 Help, Houdiniphiles! Does anyone out there have a clue about Mr. Aquamarine?

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RELATED:

 HOUDINI RUSSIAN MYSTERY SOLVED







6 comments:

  1. UnknownMay 21, 2017 at 1:23 PM

    I know who Auamarine was. I'll make a presentation about Houdini's Russian tour on The Magic History Day (June 10) at The Magic Circle of London. Several slides will be devoted to G.Auamarine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DAVID SALTMANMay 21, 2017 at 3:14 PM

      Wow! Great to hear from you! Can we get a preview of your presentation? Will hold for release until you've made your talk.

      Delete
    2. UnknownMay 22, 2017 at 5:34 PM

      It will be called "Houdini in Russia: Legends and the truth"
      The subjects are the following:
      1. Houdini’s arrival to Russia
      2. The Bells of the Kremlin
      3. The Cities Visited by Houdini
      4. Successes
      5. The Cardsharp
      6. Places of Performances
      7. Money Earned in Russia
      8. Gifts from Russia
      9. Butyrskaia Prison (Butyrka)
      10. Houdini’s Rivals
      11. Private Shows
      12. Did he return? (copyists)

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    3. DAVID SALTMANMay 22, 2017 at 5:44 PM

      Absolutely fascinating! Can we start up a private correspondence? Can you send your e-mail address to david.b.saltman@gmail.com? Would deeply appreciate discussing your findings.

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    4. UnknownMay 22, 2017 at 7:56 PM

      My e-mail is fedrv@list.ru
      You can see some of the findings at my site: http://magicpedia.ru/
      As far as I know you have already visited the site.
      Could you tell me who have bought Houdini’s contract and what was the final price of the lot? Is it the very document mentioned in Silverman's book? Who was the owner before that auction?

      Delete
    5. UnknownMay 23, 2017 at 6:39 PM

      Hi David,
      Have you received my letter? If not, please check the spam-box. Sometimes gmail.com and list.ru don't like each other.
      Sincerely, Andrey

      Delete