Rare 1927 Italian Love Life of Rudolph Valentino Book

This is a rare book from 1927 entitled, La Vita Amorosa DI Rodolfo Valentino. The book was wrote by Edouard Ramond and is in Italian. This book was published by A. Mondadori, Milan. This particular book was published in many different languages. I have this book in a couple of languages, this is the first copy I have found in Italian. Older Italian books tend to be more scarce. Being a big Valentino book collector, I was very excited to add this to my collection. I am unsure if this book came with a dust cover, if anyone knows, or has a copy of a dust cover, please let me know or send a photo.

1926 Daily News, Newspaper from Valentino's Death

This is a 1926 Daily News from the time of Valentino's death. His death made headlines across the world, along with this funeral service in New York and Hollywood. Original newspapers from his death is not as common as you may think. This is a classic Grandma-drawer item, as I call it. I feel many people saved the papers; however, over 84 years later many did not survive. They are not worth a fortune, some can still bring up to $100 or so, that is on the extreme high end.

1926 Revista Serrador Brazilian Magazine

This is a wonderful magazine from 1926. This Brazilian magazine is called Revista Serrador, which translates to Serrador Magazine. The magazine depicts a great colorized photo of Valentino from the film, Cobra. I really enjoy the foreign magazines and their covers, they are often unique. Still looking for this one myself.

Valentino, An Intimate and Shocking Expose

This is a paperback from 1966, entitled Valentino, An Intimate and Shocking Expose by Brad Steiger and Chaw Mank. This edition was published by Macfadden-Bartell. This book was re-issued in 1975. I am unsure of the accuracy of this book, it is simply another book to add to the collection. This is actually one of the more modern paperbacks that is more difficult to find; however, it is just a paperback, unfortunately not worth thousands, just a few dollars.

Photos from the lost ending of The Sheik?

I have always been confused / curious as to information about these photos. Without trying to ruin the ending for anyone who has not seen The Sheik (come on, you have had 90 years to see this film!) . These two photos appear to be from some scene after the film ends, due to the fact we never see Valentino in this outfit. This leads me to believe either these photos are from a scene that was cut out of the film, or from the original film that was unedited. If anyone wants to chime in with their thoughts or knowledge, please enlighten me.

German Mein Film, The Son of the Sheik Magazine

This is a German magazine from 1927 called Mein Film. The magazine's cover depicts Valentino from the film, "The Son of the Sheik." I have not come across a great deal of early German memorabilia. German books and magazines from the 1920's that are still around today would obviously make them more valuable than other countries editions. This is one I do not own, I would really like to know just how many magazines Valentino graced the cover of, it has to be in the thousands, if not tens of thousands.

Photos from the film, The Eagle

These are five photos from the film, "The Eagle." In my opinion one of Valentino's best films. The film had great settings and fantastic costumes. This film and The Son of the Sheik had a big budget feel to them, as if they were making Valentino movies for the next level in Hollywood, which at the time were talkies. Many people feel Valentino would have never made it in the talkies, I totally disagree, I know, I am a Valentino fan, besides that fact, I feel his stardom would have made him very successful through the 30's and 40's. Others feel the mystique would have been lost when the fans heard his Italian accented voice, which I understand; but, I feel that would have added to his appeal. This of course is one of the big Valentino debates, I feel like Chaplin his appeal and stardom would have carried his career.

The Sheik Newspaper Advertisement

This is a newspaper ad for the film, "The Sheik." The artwork for this ad is the same as the French paperback book, Le Cheik. This was the film that really launched Valentino into stardom. After this film, the word Sheik had a new meaning in the English language, for something to be very sheik.

These newspaper ads are not extremely valuable, I find them to be a great collectible and also look great framed if of course, you have the wall space again, or more frames for that matter.

Wooden Michael Back Orignal Rudolph Valentino Art

This is another great piece of original Michael Back art I just obtained. This piece depicts a side profile of Valentino from The Eagle. The bottom left corner reads RV, the bottom right corner reads, "Back, 89." This is a wonderful one of a kind piece from Michael Back, who's Valentino collection was featured in Jack Scagnetti's book, the Intimate Life of Rudolph Valentino.

French Son of the Sheik Tapestry

This is a French tapestry that reads Fils Du Cheik. It depicts a scene from Valentino's film, The Son of the Sheik. My guess is the tapestry is dated from the late 20's to early 30's. It depicts a great amount of detail on the tapestry itself, the ruins, Vilma Banky, Jaddan the horse, even Valentino looks realistic. This may have been produced without the consent of the studio, I am unusre.

If any collector out there has anymore information about this item, please leave a comment. These are fairly sought after by collectors, not a common item, most of the ones out there are owned by collectors and Grandmas who stuck them in a drawer!

Update: I spoke with Jim Craig about this, he told me he believes these were produced by a furniture company. That means these are very limited and most likely not mass produced.

The Young Rajah Magazine Advertisement

This is a magazine ad for the 1922 film, The Young Rajah. Many of the movie studios in the 20's used various magazines to advertise their films. Some were small ads in the back on the magazine, some were one to two pages ads. This particular one is a one page ad. Most of these types of ads are not as valuable as you think they would be; however, they look great framed and displayed on a wall....that is if you have any wall space left to display them.

1951 Paperback Book From The Sheik

This is a paperback book from Valentino's 1921 film, "The Sheik." The book was published by Dell in 1951, the same year the film, "Valentino" was released starring Anthony Dexter. If you have never seen this film, I highly recommend it. Not because of the film, or it's accuracy; because of Anthony Dexter. Anthony Dexter could have been Valentino's twin! I mean you really have to do a double take when you see him, and especially this film. I remember watching it for the first time, I was like Rudy in color...and talking?

Anyway, the cover of this book features a profile photo of Valentino and a shot of Anthony Dexter in a Sheik costume. It seems Dell wanted to promote Valentino along with Dexter and the film. This is not a very common book, but not overly valuable as well. Still a great piece to have.

Commemorative Girl's Cinema Magazine

This is a Girl's Cinema Magazine from August of 1927. This magazine commemorates Valentino one year after his death. The cover depicts Valentino in a smoking jacket, also the magazine states that inside is a coloured card like the one on the cover. I assume it is similar to a postcard. This increases the value of this magazine, especially if you are lucky enough to find this magazine with the card still in tact. I am still looking for this one myself.

Early Rudolph Valentino Autographed Photo

This is a stunning example of an early photo of Valentino. He dated this photo 1919, he also signed it Rodolph, which was a common way he signed photos back then. The earlier autographed photos, pre-1921 before his major stardom, are much more difficult to come across and are much more valuable.

Federico Beltran Masses Painting of Pola Negri and Rudolph Valentino

This is a wonderful painting of Pola and Rudy. It depicts Rudy serenading her with a mandolin. I did take an art class in college, so let me analyze the interpretation here. I am unsure the date of the painting, my assumption is after Valentino's death. Notice how Valentino is in the shadows and Pola is front and center in the light. Her expression is sadness, almost daydreaming. I feel she is imagining Valentino serenading her, which explains the depressed look on her face. Ok, enough artistic interpretation, anyway, that is how I see it. This was painted by Federico Beltran Masses, who was one of Rudy's friends. He painted numerous portraits of Valentino while he was alive. Original pieces of art from Beltran Masses that depict Valentino are extremely rare and obviously quite valuable.

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.

Walgreen's Health and Beauty Magazine

This is a great Walgreen's Health and Beauty Magazine. The cover depicts Valentino and Natacha as they danced the tango when they were out on the Mineralava tour in 1923. This was during the time Valentino had contract disputes with Famous Players-Lasky, which is now Paramount. This tour was set up by George Ullman as a way for Rudy and Natacha to bring in income during this time. A great collectible magazine that is rarely seen.

Happy New Year!

Wow, 2011 already, Happy New Year to everyone. Since there are no photos of Valentino in a Happy New Year hat in Times Square, that I know of, how about Valentino at the bar in Moran of the Lady Letty. Have a great year everyone!