Houdini’s torture cell Brian Young design puzzle

This is an original puzzle made by us in 2011 that we’ve found recently amongst my own collection. In the original zip lock bag with solution and card as we sold it on our website after the IPP exchange. Never sold. Never played with except for by me to double check everything is working as expected.

Original story from our website:

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

General Information:

This is Brian & Sue Young from Mr Puzzle selling but if you have any questions you can email me separately via our Mr Puzzle email address mrpuzzle@mrpuzzle.com.au

But please don’t email and ask to discontinue the auction. All auctions will run their duration. It’s the fairest course for everyone.

All prices in Australian Dollars (not US Dollars).  We much prefer payment via Wise or other bank transfer. PayPal is also possible.

Invoice after the auction is closed. If you buy more than one item we’re happy to combine ship and quote based on weight.

Cost to ship this puzzle Standard:

Australia 10.00 / NZ 21.00 / US/Canada/EU/Asia  25.00 / UK/Scandinavia 36.00 / Other countries please request a quote.

Cost to ship this puzzle Express:

Australia 15.00  / NZ 38.00 / US/Canada/EU/Asia  44.00 / UK/Scandinavia 49.00 / Other countries please request a quote.

Import duties/tariffs are not included in the final price.
The import duty or tariff rate may be different for every country so please check the rate that applies to your own country.

It is usual practice that import duties or tariffs are paid by the buyer at the point of import or delivery in your own country.

USA is the exception. The USA government has mandated that the tariff be paid to them from Australia before we can send the parcel. The tariff percentage may be different depending on where the puzzle was made. For Mr Puzzle puzzles made here in Australia the rate is 10% + Admin fee.