Snapshots of the Past

[Harry Houdini, full-length portrait, standing, facing front, in chains] – Vintage Wall Art

[Harry Houdini, full-length portrait, standing, facing front, in chains], [ca. 1899] — historic photograph
[Harry Houdini, full-length portrait, standing, facing front, in chains], [ca. 1899]. Historic photograph from the Astrology & Magic collection.

(Originally scanned by the Library of Congress. Each image is professionally and digitally cleaned of artifacts such as color bars and extra borders prior to printing.)

Description

[Harry Houdini, full-length portrait, standing, facing front, in chains] comes to life in this historic photograph, reproduced from the original with every detail intact. An authentic image from the Library of Congress, it carries the weight of the real historical record.

The framed print arrives ready to hang; the unframed option suits custom framing. It makes a striking addition to a living room, study or office, and a thoughtful gift. Free shipping in the lower 48 states. Snapshots of the Past, founded in 2001, has served tens of thousands of customers worldwide.

[Harry Houdini, full-length portrait, standing, facing front, in chains]

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Harry Houdini appears here in full length, standing front-facing and wrapped in chains, a pose that points to the escape act that would become his signature. Dated to around 1899, the portrait comes from the years when Houdini was still building his reputation on the vaudeville and dime-museum circuit, before he became the most famous escape artist of his era. Restraint-based stunts drew audiences in those days because they dramatized danger in plain view, and a posed photograph like this one served as publicity that could travel ahead of a performer. Its straightforward composition still shows how carefully early stage magicians shaped their public images.

Created / published[ca. 1899]
Medium1 photographic print.
GenrePortrait photographs 1890-1900.Photographic prints 1890-1900.
SubjectsHoudini, Harry,--1874-1926--Performances.
SourceLibrary of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
Original scan1,124 × 1,458 px · prints to 4 × 5 in at 300 dpi
ReferenceAMZ-SOTP-HPA-217291

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