Maxey "Needle King"

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H.C. Maxey, forgotten today, was the inventor and originator of the trick Houdini made a signature of his act-- the East Indian Needle Trick.

In 1899 "Handcuff King," Houdini was additionally billed as the "Needle King." In an article in "The Portsmouth Herald" in September of that year the reporter quotes Houdini giving an acknowledgement to Maxey, though not by name, saying while on stage that his "...next act was one that is attempted by only one other person in the world. He is known as the "needle king" and is at present performing in Europe."