Happy Valentines/Valentino Day

This is a wonderful Valentine's card from the 1920's. It depicts a girl with a tissue saying, "I don't want a Valentine, I want a Valentino!" This was a very smart marketing technique for the card company that produced these. These are fairly sought after and are not too commonly found. This is another great example of one of those random items that you simply have to have for the collection. Happy Valentine's Day!

1970's Sainted Devil Wall Poster

This was sent to me from a reader named Dee. This is a great, over-sized poster of Valentino from The Sainted Devil. I have never seen this particular poster before. Dee says it is from the 70's. There were many Valentino items produced in the 70's. Many of the actors and actresses from the 20's, 30's, and 40's made a resurgence and various items were produced during this time. Dee, thank you for sending the photo in, I appreciate it, keep sending them in!

700th Post Rare Mexican Needle Book

This is my 700th post! I am posting an item with a great story. This is a rare 1920's or 1930's Mexican needle book. Valentino is one in a series of other stars. I am unsure how many different stars were in this series; however, I know of at least 4 others that included Chaplin, Lloyd, Navarro, and Talmadge. The front of the book reads: Obsequio de la reinera, which translates to Gift of Reinera. When I first started collecting back in the 90's my Mom found this for me and gave it to me as a gift. Back then, my biggest frame of reference for Valentino collectibles was black and white photos of Michael Back's collection from Jack Scagnetti's book, The Intimate Life of Rudolph Valentino. A few months later I was able to attend the 100th birthday celebration in Hollywood. I brought a few of my items, along with this needle book. There was a lunch for the members of the fan club back then. At the lunch was Michael Back! I was thrilled to meet him, I showed him the Mexican needle book. He was very interested in it and told me he did not have it in his collection and had not seen it before. He offered to buy it from me; but, I had no intention of selling it. I was elated that I owned something that Michael Back had not seen before. Since then this needle book has always been one of my favorite collectibles, and I do know that Michael owns one now. This is another example of another great, random collectible.

Vintage Son of the Sheik Stick Pin

This is one of the many random items out there.  I am truly unsure what exactly this is.  My best guess is a stick pin or simply a lapel pin.  If it is from the 20's, which is looks to be, it would be a memorial piece.  However, it may possibly be from the 60's or 70's.  I do not own the item, I just have a photo.  Maybe someone out there knows more about it, or owns one.  It depicts a colorized photo of Valentino from the film, "The Son of the Sheik."  This falls in the category of one of those random items that has to added to the collection, because you do not already own one.

Spanish Mini Chocolate Card Fold Outs

This is a great, random item. The front of this mini booklet reads, "Galeria de las Estrellas del Cine," which translates to Gallery of the Stars of the Cinema. This was created from the Amatller Chocolate Company. There are fold out cards depicting Valentino from The Sheik, Blood and Sand, The Young Rajah, and Moran of the Lady Letty. I love finding items like this. I had no ideas things like this existed. It still amazes me just how many items are out there!

The Son of the Sheik Press Kit

This is a press kit booklet sent out from the poster production company to various movie theaters. These are fairly difficult to find. This particular one is from the re-release of SOS. It is amazing to see some of the prices, for example: One Sheet for 10 cents, a three sheet for 30 cents, or how about 100 window cards for $6!! If I only had a DeLorean!

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day. Lay back and enjoy a Valentino flick this evening!

This is a Valentino Tango Record. There are many variations of this record and cover. These gained popularity after the 1951 film Valentino was released. These are not very valuable, just another random item to buy for the collection!

Halloween Mask from The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

This is a random item, that you do not see too often. My guess is that it is from the late 60's, or most likely the 70's. It is a cardboard mask of Valentino from The Four Horsemen. It has two small holes cut out where the eyes are. I know there is a Theda Bara edition as well. I am unsure if this product was homemade or mass produced. I find it to be one of those very random items that collector's who have to have one of everything would need to buy.

Vintage Rudolph Valentino Playing Card

This is a Vintage Valentino Playing Card. I am unsure of the date, my guess is the 20's or 30's. The card is the two of hearts and depicts a photo of Valentino along with his name. This particular one is in poor shape. I do not have a great deal of information about the card, I would guess it is from a deck of movie star cards. This is a unique and interesting item.

Rare Italian Sheik Felt Doll

This is a very rare doll that depicts Valentino from The Sheik or The Son of the Sheik. The doll is estimated to be from 1925. So, this could be a doll made in advance of the film or it could be made from The Sheik. Regardless, it is Valentino in a Sheik outfit. It is believed to be made from the Alma Doll Company from Italy. This is a super rare piece, not many of these dolls were produced. This would be a great addition for the Valentino that has just about everything else!

Plaster Statue from The Sheik

This is a plaster statue of Valentino that stands about 9 inches tall from the film, "The Sheik." The base of the statue reads: The Sheik. I do not have a great deal of information on this item. Many items such as this were homemade, others were manufactured by companies. I am unsure which category this one falls under. If anyone has specific information on this item, let me know.

Rudolph Valentino Memorial Button and Ribbon

This is a memorial button and ribbon presumably from 1926, celebrating Valentino. The button depicts a drawing of Valentino with his name, at the bottom it reads: Born 1895, At Rest 1926. The ribbon reads: In Memory. I am unsure or the origins of this item. This could have been created by the studios or simply by peddlers in New York who sold them to the crowd as they waited to pass his body in Campbells. I wish I had more information about this item; however, I find it to be a unique piece that was most likely cherished by his true fans who was around in 1926 and lived through the time of his death.

Rare Spanish Silent Movie Playing Cards

This is a playing card from a rare set of silent movie cards. I do not have a great deal of information on this set, only that it is from a Spanish Chocolate company. A complete set would be quite valuable. The Valentino card by itself would be valuable as well due to the rarity. This is another great item, I had no idea this was out there!

Original Michael Back Burnt Wooden Art

I am not real big on homemade items, this piece is an exception. This is a unique round, wooden art piece from Valentino collector, Michael Back. Some of Michael's collection was featured in Jack Scagnetti's book, The Intimate Life of Rudolph Valentino. Besides being a huge Valentino collector, Michael has an artistic talent and over the years has created many Valentino items. This is a great example of one of his burnt wood pieces, featuring Valentino from The Sheik. This is a wonderful, unique item.

Son of the Sheik Pressbook

This is a booklet, which by today's standards would most likely be a pressbook, this was called an Exhibitors Campaign Book. This is from the film, "The Son of the Sheik." The catalog was sent out to movie theaters to order various types of posters, lobby cards, and promotional material to promote the film. This appears to be from 1926, which would make this more unique and valuable due to the fact this film was re-released so many times. The front of the booklet reads, "The sequel to The Sheik." Most of the re-released material stated things such as "Valentino's Last Film," or "The Greatest Lover of the Silent Screen." This appears to have been sent out prior to Valentino's death. These are very collectible and difficult to find, it is fantastic to thumb through these to see a one sheet costs 25 cents or a set of lobby cards are 75 cents! I do not own this one myself, I have a similar item from The Eagle I listed a while back. This is a great piece!

Photos of my Personal Valentino Collection

I have discussed with a few of you about posting photos of my collection along with some of yours as well. I decided to post a few photos of my collection, some of the photos may appear grainy, I took them with my iphone; furthermore, this room has poor lighting...no windows. You have all seen almost all of these items here on the blog individually, it appears a bit different all grouped together in a room. Now you can finally see what I mean by lack of wall space, especially my sheet music wall. I love the look on people's faces when the first walk into my room and are unaware of my small addiction. They look around with their mouth open, while saying Rudolph Valentino?? That is when I say, I could try to explain it, but, most likely you would not understand, lets just say, I am a fan! At least now I will be sharing a glimpse into my room with people who get it!

1976 Rudolph Valentino "The Sheik," Statuette

This is a random item from 1976. It is a statuette of Valentino from The Sheik. This is one of 12 movie statuettes created by Raymond Richard Lamb. I appreciate Mr. Lamb for including Valentino in this set, unfortunately the image of Valentino does not resemble him very well. Even still do I want one for my collection.....of course I do. There really should be some medical name for people who collect things pertaining to one person that continually buys everything that can be found, regardless if you think it is attractive or not. I mean, it is a sickness! Haha, more like an addiction, my name is Brad I have a Valentino collectible addiction. Anyway, I still want one!

Candid Photos of Valentino on Ships

I know, this is a random heading; but, I often go through the photos on my computer and look for similarities, photos that can be grouped together. Thus, Valentino on ships. The one photo with Natacha was taken in 1923 at they set sail for Europe. A few of these are rather rare and not seen too often.

Rudolph Valentino Bust

This is a fantastic photo of a Valentino bust sent to me by Rick Spector. The bust is a great likeness of Valentino, the base depicts someone behind a movie camera filming a scene. This is a very unique piece and would be highly valuable.

Rudolph Valentino Vintage Sheik Bust

Attention Valentino experts, we have a fan/collector that needs our help. Recently, I was contacted by someone who owns this fantastic Valentino Bust. It originally belonged to their Mother, they are looking for any information about this item. It measures 9" tall and about 5" wide. It used to have a small gold plaque on the bottom that read: 10-25-1926. My guess is that it is a one of a kind plaster piece that someone created; however, I am not certain of this. If anyone has seen this, has any information, or also owns one of these please post your comments or send me photos of the one you own. The owner would be grateful for any information you may have.