The Forum at Handcuffs.Org

Looking for Don Hinz

14 visible archived posts · 14 preserved total · topic ID 56

Xtreem 26 Nov 2003

Well my memory is going bad, SSOOOO I need some help.

I was boxing up my old escape books and while flipping through "The Handcuff King Act" there was an Ad for S&W 94's in the text. The name of the seller was Don Hinz from Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

For some reason that name is familiar to me but I can't think of why. I narrowed it down to the forum here OR the Indy convention, I searched this forum and came up empty.

Is Don still with us? Still in Wisconsin? Why is the name so familiar?

Thanks to anyone that can help,

Shawn

Xtreem 26 Nov 2003

Well Don Schmidt tracked him down, now I need to know why the name is familar, did he write a book?

Thanks Don,

Shawn

Joseph Fox 26 Nov 2003

Don's name is mentioned several times in the original (1964) Ency. Of Escapes (and probably in the new/reprint edition, but I don't have a copy here as I write this). Also, as you stated, his name appears in Hull's unauthorized rip-off booklet "The Handcuff King Act". Hinz was a handcuff and Escape dealer in the 60's-present? For me personally, in the 1970s, Wheeler and Hinz were my two primary escape dealers.

Xtreem 26 Nov 2003

I figured you would have the answer. I did not know he was a dealer of escape stuff, it must be the NEEOE I remember the name from, unless he was in Indy. I'll have to see if the contact information I have is up to date and check it out.

I did not realize as well that the book was unautorized, I thought the time span was to great between the books for it to have been Hull. The Challenge Escape Act writting is legit, though correct?

Shawn

Joseph Fox 26 Nov 2003

RE: Hull's "Challenge Handcuff King Act"...I have always been led to believe that it's an original manuscript. However, the orange cover booklet: "The Handcuff King Act" (mid-1970's) by Hull was an unauthorized reprint of the (1964) Ency. Of Escapes. The publisher of the former, Bill McLaury, told me so - but didn't really wish to fight it because Hull in his 90's at the time, and nearly blind. Magicians have long coined a nick-name for Burling Hull..."Hurling Bull"!

Joseph Fox 26 Nov 2003

Sorry, need to clarify what I wrote above: McLaury was the publisher of the (1964) Ency. Of Escapes, and chose not to fight the aging & nearly-blind Burling Hull over Hull's mid-1970s "Handcuff king Act" booklet.

Xtreem 26 Nov 2003

I do not have the "Challenge Handcuff Act" as of yet as it is enroute from Micky Hades Collection nor do I have the original Encyclopedia of Escapes (that's up next) so I'm slightly ignorant (unless you ask my wife who will tell you I'm totally ignorant) Hull wrote the material for EOE then recopied his own work for "The Handcuff King Act"?

I believe the New Expanded EOE credits the work to Hull, that is why I ask (I'm at work and have none of this stuff in front of me to check) would that not be covered under "reprint due to authorship."

Shawn

Xtreem 26 Nov 2003

I'm updating the EARL to include cover pictures and synopsis of at least 100 items there, I should put up a little forum as well to discuss this stuff.

Joseph Fox 26 Nov 2003

I will contact Bill M. and get the definitive answer to all of this, and post it here.

Joseph Fox 02 Dec 2003

#10

I just spoke with Bill McLaury. In a nutshell, Hull's 1970's "Handcuff King Act" booklet was an unauthorized publication - containing material from the (1964)Ency. Apparently, the material in the Ency. was not authored by Hull, and he had no right to include it in his 1970's booklet. At that time, Hull was in failing health, and was near-broke...so it was wisely decided to not persue the legality of this copyright matter.

Xtreem 02 Dec 2003

#11

Hey Joe,

Thanks for clearing that up. I'll have to dig a little more for some other answers when the Original EOE is in hand.

Your the best, keep 'scaping

Shawn

Dorson 02 Dec 2003

#12

Okay, I give... Is he even still alive???
I knew of him some 25 - 30 years ago and I think I even got something from him. I know I have an old pair of Towers double lock with the name Hinz stamped on one hinge rivet and the letters D S H stamped into the body of a cuff...

Don Schmidt 02 Dec 2003

#13

the Don Hinz i tracked down i beleive the guy is 64 years old. and yes I do Beleive the Guy is Still Alive and Kicking I'll love to see or Hear what this guy has for Sale. Don,

Xtreem 19 Dec 2003

#14

Joe Tanner was kind enough to track down a copy of EOE in his storage boxes.

This version is the one containing the supplement.

Most of the supplement seems to have been assembled by Hinz, Wheeler and McLaury.

The last half of the supplement comprises a large part of the Hull book along with Hull's Challenge Handcuff Act which appeared both before and in the EOE itself. So indeed I now understand how and from where the lifting came.

Shawn