Harry Houdini, the renowned escape artist, is an iconic figure in the history of magic and entertainment. A photograph capturing his daring straight-jacket escape with the Washington Monument in the background is not just a glimpse into his magic but also a window into history. This vintage piece, Harry Houdini Performance in Washington, D.C., circa 1918, attributed to Culver Pictures Inc., measures 9.5x7.125 inches and dates back to around 1918. Recently, this image underwent a meticulous conservation process, transforming it from a time-worn relic into a well-preserved piece of history.
Harry Houdini Performance in Washington, D.C., circa 1918 before treatment
Upon arrival at The Conservation Center, the photograph exhibited signs of age and previous handling. The conservation process was meticulous, with the goal of preserving the photograph's historical integrity. The first step involved surface cleaning to reduce the layer of grime on the photograph, using appropriate conservation methods and materials for surface cleaning, reviving the image's clarity without altering the inherent discoloration. The verso of the photograph bore layers of adhesive residue, stamps, and paper remains. These elements tell a story of the photograph's history. Careful mechanical methods were used to reduce exposed adhesive, ensuring the preservation of old stamps and provenance paper. Tears in the photograph were expertly addressed using wheat starch paste and thin Japanese tissue, providing structural support without compromising the original appearance.
Harry Houdini Performance in Washington, D.C., circa 1918 before treatment, verso
Katrina Flores, Associate Conservator of Works on Paper, shared her insights on the conservation. "The surface of the photo was surface cleaned with lightly damp swabs to reduce surface grime. The photograph had previous retouching, so the area was selectively cleaned to not disturb the retouching. The verso of the photograph has layers of adhesive residue, stamps, and paper residue. The exposed area of adhesive was mechanically reduced with care to not remove the old stamps and provenance paper. The small tear at the edge was repaired with wheat starch paste and thin Japanese tissue."
Detail of top edge of Harry Houdini Performance in Washington, D.C., circa 1918 before treatment
Suz Evans, Associate Conservation Framer, described the framing process, "We float mounted the Houdini press photograph to draw attention to the unique edges. It would have been handled and passed around to appear in the newspapers of the time. The white paint on the surface of the photo and the information on the backside also point towards its function in media. Since it's a collectible item now, we like to showcase the history by keeping the edges visible."
Harry Houdini Performance in Washington, D.C., circa 1918 after treatment and framing
The photograph was float-mounted on a sympathetically toned archival 4-ply mat with margins measuring approximately 1", meeting conservation standards. To protect the image, the photograph was assembled with 1/4" matching wood spacers, separating the glazing from the photograph. Museum Glass, a conservation-grade, anti-reflective glass, was chosen to protect against UV light rays. The selected frame is a customized cap profile with a charcoal finish. The custom framing was also designed to allow viewing the back of the photograph so that the client could see the provenance without removing the photograph from the frame.
Harry Houdini Performance in Washington, D.C., circa 1918 back on display in the owner’s office
Our client Jon shared his connection with this photograph, "I grew up in Washington, D.C., and was a performing magician throughout my teens. I caught wind that Chicago-based Potter & Potter was going to have an auction featuring Houdini memorabilia so I browsed through their catalog. This photo immediately hit me as a must-have! Houdini performing his famous straight-jacket escape with the Washington Monument in the background obviously resonated with me. I wasn't able to go view it before the auction, but as a past Center customer knew that I'd be able to give it some TLC if needed through your methods. It sits just over my computer monitor, right in my view. A good reminder for business that nothing is impossible - even if you're strapped in a straight-jacket, hanging upside down, and in front of a thousand people…"
Harry Houdini Performance in Washington, D.C., circa 1918 after treatment
Harry Houdini Performance in Washington, D.C., circa 1918 after treatment, verso
This Harry Houdini photograph, conserved and framed to the highest standards, now continues its journey through history, delighting its owner, Jon, and preserving the memory of one of magic's most iconic performers. It stands as a testament to the importance of conserving photographs, ensuring their longevity for future generations to enjoy and be inspired by.
