8749 Shirley Ave. Unit B
Northridge, CA 91324
Tel: 818.882.1214
Email: postermount@aol.com
www.postermountain.blogspot.com
LOUISE BROOKS PHOTO BY ROBERT RICHEE
Right profile portrait of Louise Brooks wearing a long string of pearls. Printed on photographic matte emulsion paper. An embossing on the front, lower right corner reads: "PHOTOGRAPH BY EUGENE ROBERT RICHEE". A description typed on thin tissue is adhered to the back at lower center with a modern adhesive.

Condition with Previous Interventions
There is slight damage due to handling on the front. There are creases, denting, and some mild abrasions. There are pin holes in each of the corners and center top border. All upper pin holes have been filled with a compound. Top right and left corners had been folded down, they now have tissue supports on the verso. There is a tear/crease on the right border that measures approx. 4cm, it has a tissue repair on the verso. There are two tear/creases on the left border that measures approx. 4.5cm and 3mm, respectively, both have tissue supports on the verso. There are two small areas of damage in her forehead, the upper has a tissue support on the verso, and both have been slightly touched up with restorative media. There is a very dark, localized stain in the mid-lower left border measures approx. 2.5-3cm.

The reverse shows some staining with splatters of a dark red stain, possibly blood, going across the midsection. Other stains are probably caused by oil or grease, and appear throughout. There are dark colored abrasions and scuffs, and the paper appears dirty. A descriptive tag reads: "The black-haired Louise Brooks, the Canary of Paramount's "The Canary Murder Case" deftly lets a long string of pearls create the only touch of white, except the flawless ivory of her skin, against a dead black ground."
A blue/purple stamp in the center is slightly faded and reads: "Permission is hereby granted for use of this photograph in Magazines and Newspapers. Credit to PARAMOUNT PICTURES will be appreciated, * * * * * * * (seven stars) PHOTOGRAPH BY Gene Robert Richee"

Restorative interventions show in the black area damage as well as the face in the forehead and neck. Work was done with water soluble media.

Procedures

Photo was washed with water only between hollytex and mylar. Resized with gelatin on verso, first effort failed, photo lifted off board, second effort used frontice piece and weights around edges. This was successful. Some of the previous restoration washed off in the black.
Some border pin holes were filled with a compound, any roughness was lightly sanded.
Border stains were airbrushed and the discolorations in the black were detailed with colored pencil.