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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Personal appearance of... the sensational Murray Australian escapologist appears and disappears, 1963

by RC Waterman

Personal appearance of... the sensational Murray Australian escapologist appears and disappears, 1963

colour lithograph
Will Alma conjuring collection
Donated by WG Alma, 1904-93
State Library of Victoria

Risky business
(More information, View all 9 images)

Murray the escapologist in a straight-jacket
Handcuff dive by Levante, Bombay, India, 1933
Les Levante, c.1934
The Great Levante and his magical extravaganza, c.1924

Related information

Murray frees himself from straightjacket in public, 1928 by Sam Hood
Murray frees himself from straightjacket in public, 1928 by Sam Hood
Murray frees himself from straightjacket in public, 1928 by Sam Hood
Murray frees himself from straightjacket in public, 1928 by Sam Hood

Risky business

Magazine article by John Zubrzycki, 2016

John Zubrzycki lauds the characters of the Australian escapology trade.
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance
The National Portrait Gallery building front entrance

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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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