21 July 2011 Sue Young

Houdini’s Torture Cell sequential discovery take apart puzzle

Edward Hordern IPP31 Puzzle Exchange – Berlin, Germany. August 2011.  282 made.
Presented by Brian Young.  Made by Mr Puzzle Australia. Designed by Brian Young.
Original Price: AU$47.00
These puzzles have resold at Auction. Cubicdissection June 2017 USD 230.00. Haubrich Auction in January 2020 Euro 455. PuzzleParadise August 2020 GBP 1062 (that’s about AU$1920.00) and even higher on Puzzle Paradise in May 2021 for A$2400.35 and another also in May 2021 for USD 865.00

 

Update 31st January 2021:  A non-limited edition brass version of this puzzle was also produced in brass. https://www.mrpuzzle.com.au/houdinis-torture-cell-sequential-discovery-puzzle/

The object of the puzzle is to free Houdini from The Torture Cell.

To do that you’ll have to discover the tools and work out how to use them.

The idea for Houdini’s Torture Cell came from one of the locks in the incredibly complex The Opening Bat puzzle (part of the Sold Out Limited Edition 2010 series). Brian felt the idea was unique and very satisfying to solve so he revisited the idea and changed it to present in a way that would suit IPP; this way it’s available for lots more people to experience a great ‘Ah Ha’ moment.

The puzzle has been presented in such a way that most elements of the puzzle are visible to you. The puzzle is to then work out how to use them to solve it. You can literally sit and think about the solution without even touching the puzzle.

Another feature that Brian builds into these types of sequential discovery puzzles is to give you something to find almost immediately; better to maintain interest in the puzzle. You’ll find that with this puzzle too. Yes, there are lots of magnets in the puzzle but no “hitting” or “banging” is necessary to solve it.

The theme of the puzzle was designed specifically for IPP31 in Berlin. The puzzle celebrates Harry Houdini’s first public performance of The Torture Cell at the Circus Busch in Berlin on 12th September 1912. A small copy of the original poster from that show is printed on the presentation card.

Size: 100mm tall

WINNER: One of two Jury First Prizes in the Nob Yoshigahara Puzzle Design Competition 2012

Featured YouTube by Chris Ramsay December 2020 

Tags IPP31, brian young, houdini