By Kerry Rodgers, World Coin News March 15, 2010

On March 18, 1910, magician Harry Houdini, aka Erik Weisz, made the first controlled, powered flight in Australia at Diggers Rest, Victoria.

He did so in his French Voisin biplane that he had purchased in 1909 for $5,000. It was a pusher with the 8-foot propeller mounted behind the pilot, resembling a box kite and weighing 1,350 pounds, including Houdini.

Perth Mint has marked the centenary of Houdini’s achievement with two coins. One is a 40.60 mm, 1-ounce, .999 fine silver colorized proof dollar with a mintage of 7,500. The other is a 3.30-gram, 30.60 mm aluminum-bronze dollar issued as part of a First Day Cover/Philatelic Numismatic Cover in conjunction with Australia Post.

Houdini got hooked on flying in 1909 just six years after the Wright brothers had done their thing. His crashed at his first attempt but made a successful flight in 1909 on Nov. 26 at Hamburg.

When he toured Down Under in 1910, he brought along his new plane in a crate at the request of Australia’s Aerial League. Among other things, he planned to use it to publicize his magic and theatrical show.

Houdini’s first attempts to fly in Australia were grounded by inclement winds. He then suffered a string of mechanical problems but, finally, on March 18 he made three successful flights with the longest lasting 3.5 minutes and covering 2 miles at a height of about 100 feet. The flights were witnessed by members of the Aerial League, the media, assorted spectators and magic fans. He topped these achievements on March 31 with a flight of 6 miles covered in 7 minutes, 37 seconds, also at Diggers Rest.

The record books credit Colin Defries as the first man to get a powered plane into the air in Australia. However, he crashed on landing. Like a successful mountaineer scaling a peak for the first time, Houdini got up and down all in one piece and under full control.

After his Aussie tour, Houdini put his Voisin into storage in England and never flew again, despite describing the sensation of flight as a “glorious thrill ... As soon as I was up all my muscles relaxed, and I sat back, feeling a sense of ease. Freedom and exhilaration, that’s what it is.”

The coins are available from U.S. coin dealers, on line at www.perthmint.com.au or write to Perth Mint, 310 Hay St., East Perth, WA 6004.



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