Handbill of Ivan Ivanitz Chabert. From “Miracle Mongers and Their Methods” by Harry Houdini (1920).
The Wonderful Fire Proof Phenomenon,
Who lately caused so much Astonishment in Paris, by his supernatural Powers, and in consequence of GOING INTO AN OVEN, in Presence of the Royal Academy of Physicians, WITH A LEG OF MUTTON, and remaining shut up in it until the meat was well-baked. This Experiment he will have the honor of performing again, whenever a liberal subscription shall be made for the purpose.
IVAN IVANITZ CHABERT,
The only Really Incombustible Phenomenon
His performance will consist of the following extraordinary proofs of his supernatural Power of RESISTING THE MOST INTENSE HEAT OF EVERY KIND, and he pledges himself that no sleight of hand (as is usual in these Things) will be practiced:
1. He will forge with his Hands and Feet a Bar of Red Hot Iron, which he will, without other means, widen and lengthen considerably.
2. He will undergo the Torture by Fire, as used in the Spanish Inquisition.
3. He will drink, positively, boiling Oil and wash his hands and feet in it.
4. He will drop on his Tongue a large Quantity of Burning Sealing Wax, from which any of the Company may take impressions of their Seals.
5. He will eat burning Charcoal.
6. He will inspirate the Flames of a Torch.
7. Will bathe his feet in boiling Lead, and pour it into his Mouth with his hand, or any of the Company may do it with a spoon.
8. Will pour the strongest Aqua Fortis on Steel Filings, and trample on it with his bare Feet.
9. He will hold in his Teeth a Bar of Red Hot Iron, until it shall lose its principal heat.
10. Will rub a Red Hot Shovel on his Arms and Legs, and hold it on his head until the Hair Shall be too warm for any By-stander to hold his Hand on it.
11. He will pour Vitriol, Oil, and Arsenic into the Fire, and hold his Head in the Flames, and inhale the vapours.
12. He will eat of a lighted torch with a Fork, as if it were a salad.
13. Will dissolve a Piece of Copper in the Hollow of his Hand, with Aqua Fortis.
And in the Evening, to complete the Astonishment of those who may honor him with their Presence, a brilliant Display of FIREWORKS will play on him, till his SHIRT shall be burnt on his Back.
Handbill of Ivan Ivanitz Chabert. From “Miracle Mongers and Their Methods” by Harry Houdini (1920).
The Wonderful Fire Proof Phenomenon,
Who lately caused so much Astonishment in Paris, by his supernatural Powers, and in consequence of GOING INTO AN OVEN, in Presence of the Royal Academy of Physicians, WITH A LEG OF MUTTON, and remaining shut up in it until the meat was well-baked. This Experiment he will have the honor of performing again, whenever a liberal subscription shall be made for the purpose.
IVAN IVANITZ CHABERT,
The only Really Incombustible Phenomenon
His performance will consist of the following extraordinary proofs of his supernatural Power of RESISTING THE MOST INTENSE HEAT OF EVERY KIND, and he pledges himself that no sleight of hand (as is usual in these Things) will be practiced:
1. He will forge with his Hands and Feet a Bar of Red Hot Iron, which he will, without other means, widen and lengthen considerably.
2. He will undergo the Torture by Fire, as used in the Spanish Inquisition.
3. He will drink, positively, boiling Oil and wash his hands and feet in it.
4. He will drop on his Tongue a large Quantity of Burning Sealing Wax, from which any of the Company may take impressions of their Seals.
5. He will eat burning Charcoal.
6. He will inspirate the Flames of a Torch.
7. Will bathe his feet in boiling Lead, and pour it into his Mouth with his hand, or any of the Company may do it with a spoon.
8. Will pour the strongest Aqua Fortis on Steel Filings, and trample on it with his bare Feet.
9. He will hold in his Teeth a Bar of Red Hot Iron, until it shall lose its principal heat.
10. Will rub a Red Hot Shovel on his Arms and Legs, and hold it on his head until the Hair Shall be too warm for any By-stander to hold his Hand on it.
11. He will pour Vitriol, Oil, and Arsenic into the Fire, and hold his Head in the Flames, and inhale the vapours.
12. He will eat of a lighted torch with a Fork, as if it were a salad.
13. Will dissolve a Piece of Copper in the Hollow of his Hand, with Aqua Fortis.
And in the Evening, to complete the Astonishment of those who may honor him with their Presence, a brilliant Display of FIREWORKS will play on him, till his SHIRT shall be burnt on his Back.