Entitled: "The Houdini's, Harry, Bessie introducing the only and original" lithograph poster created by Liebler & Maass Lithography, 1895. Harry Houdini (March 24, 1874 - October 31, 1926) was a Hungarian-American illusionist and stunt performer, noted for his sensational escape acts. He began his magic career in 1891. In 1893, he met a fellow performer, Wilhelmina Beatrice "Bess" Rahner. They married in 1894, and for the rest of his performing career, Bess worked as his stage assistant. Metamorphosis is the name of a stage illusion invented by John Nevil Maskelyne, but most often associated with Houdini. In the illusion, Bess was locked inside a large box or trunk, often after being restrained with handcuffs, ropes, bags, etc. Harry stood on the trunk and held a curtain up to momentarily conceal his entire body. When the curtain was lowered, it was revealed to be Bess standing atop the box. When the box was opened, it was shown to contain Harry, restrained as Bess had been. Houdini died of peritonitis, secondary to a ruptured appendix at the age of 52.