HOUDINI CHALLENGE from September 21, 1915, St. Paul, Minnesota.



The Challenge reads as follows:



CHALLENGE



O'Donnell Shoe Company



Makers of High Grade Shoes for Men



St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 21, 1915



MR. HARRY HOUDINI, Orpheum Theatre, City



Dear Sir:



We, the undersigned, expert packers and employees of the O'Donnell Shoe Co., hereby challenge you to escape from a packing case that we have especially constructed of heavy timber.



If you accept the same, we defy you to make your escape without demolishing the box. We shall send the box along for your examination but demand the right to renail each and every board before you enter to prevent any previous preparation upon your part.



Awaiting your reply, we beg to remain,



Respectfully your;



O'DONNELL SHOE COMPANY

Per John B. Milligan, Supt.

Signed for Committee of Packers



---------------------------------



Houdini Accepts the Above Challenge

Test to take place on the stage of the

Orpheum Theatre, Friday Night, Sept. 24

under the conditions that the box when finished must not be airtight



All this has been Professionally Matted and placed in a Cherry Wood Frame.



I’ve also added a striking copy of a Photograph of Houdini being placed into a Strait-Jacket.



The Challenge measures: 7"x10 1/2". The over all measurements are: 20 1/2”x16 1/2”.