Early Autographed Photo of Rudolph Valentino

This is a wonderful example of an early Autographed photo of Valentino.  This photo is signed R. Valentino, which is not too common to find.  It is also signed in Valentino's favorite color ink to sign autographs, green.  This is a wonderful example of an early signed photo.  I would love to have a piece like this.  These early signed photos are getting harder and harder to find.

Blood and Sand Newspaper Advertisement

This is another great example of an original newspaper ad from the 1922 classic, Blood and Sand. As with most of these ads, it depicts slightly different art from most of the posters, lobby cards and various promotional material.  As I've said before, these are great to collect.  They are easy to frame or put in a scrapbook and they are reasonably priced.  Finally, I like this ad because it actually depicts Lila Lee and Nita Naldi together.  Most ads only depict one.

Rare Beyond the Rocks Lobby Card

Just as I am amazed when I find some new photo I have never seen.  I am also pleasantly surprised when I see posters or lobby cards I have never come across before.  This is a rare card from Beyond the Rocks.  Until now, I had never seen this card.  This would really look good framed in my Rudy room!

Beyond the Rocks Tobacco Card

This is a tobacco card from the 1922 film, Beyond the Rocks.  I am not sure of the manufacturer.  There were countless tobacco cards produced depicting Valentino along with various movie stars of the day. This is one you do not see too often.

Rare Photo of Valentino as Black Feather

This is a very rare photo of Valentino posing as his spirit guide, Black Feather.  Yes, the photo was for sale on ebay, hence the ebay tag.  However, it was so rare, I had to save it to post.  I find it fascinating that after all these years, it is still possible to come across rarely seen photos!

Lobby Card from Monsieur Beaucaire

This is a lobby card from the 1924 film, Monsieur Beaucaire.  This is a wonderful, rarely seen card from the lobby set.  The cards that are not as common, I feel, tend to be more desirable.  Many of the lobby cards are getting more and more difficult to find.  For some of Rudy's films we are approaching the 100 year mark!

1923 Danish Magazine

It's been way too long since I last posted on the blog.  Life tends to be too busy sometimes.  We all have to make time for the things we enjoy.  Ok, enough deep life thoughts, back to the Rudy items.  This is a Danish Movie Magazine from 1923.  I really do not have any further information other than it is an obscure magazine from the 20's.  The photo of Rudy depicts him from The Young Rajah.

At the Pool With Pola and Friends

This is a great candid set of photos from 1926 of Rudy, Pola Negri and some friends having what looks to be a pool party.  The photos are a bit blurry; however, it may be appropriate as they appear in some to be a bit "blurry" themselves.  It's great to see these candid photos of Rudy having a good time, post Natasha.

Rare Early Cast Photo

I literally have thousands of Valentino photos (digital files) I have saved from various sites over the years.  Photos, collectibles, you name it, I have saved it.  I was looking for an early rare photo to post, when I came across this one!  I unfortunately am unaware of what film it is from, I assume it is an early film where he played the villain since he is sporting the villainous mustache.  This is such a cool photo.  It appears to not only be the cast; but, possibly some of the behind the scenes workers as well.  The most immediate thing I noticed was Valentino seems to simply "stand out" from the rest.  I'm not just saying that because I'm a huge fan.  In the photo he looks like the only "movie star" in the photo.  I know with all of the Valentino fans, someone will look at the photo and say, oh yeah that is from such and such film.  I am not an expert on the early films.  If anyone knows, let me know and I will update the post.  Enjoy, its a great pic!

Rare Son of the Sheik Valentino Bookends

When I think of what I consider "rare" Valentino collectibles, besides personal items, autographs and original one sheets, there are only a few things that come to mind.  The elusive bookends, at least to me, are one of those items.  In my many years of collecting I had only seen one in person, up until now.  I just acquired one a few weeks back, yes only one.  I still need another to make a set.  I am happy to have at least one for now.  I checked and I posted a photo of a complete set a few years ago; however, this one is mine personally, so why not post it again?  Again, I do not have much information on these other than they are on the heavy side, they are made of some sort of metal and they depict Valentino from The Son of the Sheik along with his facsimile autograph.  I assume they were manufactured in the 20's after his death; however, I am not 100% certain.  If anyone has more specifics on the manufacture or when it was produced feel free to contact me.  In the meantime, I will enjoy my bookend as it is introduced to the many, many Valentino books it will be sitting next to!

Italian Book Edition from The Eagle

This is a fantastic Italian movie tie in book from The Eagle.  I am a big book collector and would love to own this one!  The overseas editions always seem to have unique covers and artwork and are more difficult to come across.  Unfortunately, I know nothing about this book, only that I came across the photo and would love to own it.  Another great piece to look for!

A Sainted Devil Movie Poster

This is a rare variation of a Movie Poster from the lost 1924 film, A Sainted Devil.  I came across this image off a website a while back.  I found this example interesting because I had never seen this exact variation before.  I find the merchandise / promotional items for this film interesting, they all look like a cross between Blood and Sand and The Four Horsemen.  This is a wonderful vibrant example of a poster from the film.

Happy Birthday 119th Rudolph Valentino

119 years ago today Rudolph Valentino was born in Castellaneta Italy.  There is no need for me to go into a detailed biography, all of you have heard it and read it a million times.  One thing I would like to point out that many people forget is Valentino only appeared in starring roles from March of 1921 to August of 1926, so essentially 4.5 years.  He rose to stardom and had such a strong fanatical following in such a short period of time.  Now, 88 years after his death, with many of us, there is still a very strong following.  Every single time I have visited the mausoleum I have always seen fresh roses in the vases of his final resting place.  Enjoy the day, watch a Valentino movie, go through your collections, read a book, and remember Valentino!

Valentino Pictured with Other Celebrities

Valentino, which you most likely already know, was included in the Hollywood royalty of the 1920's.  Fans not only adored him, his fellow actors did as well.  I enjoy finding these photos of Valentino pictured with other celebrates of the day.  These photos include him with Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Mae Murray, William S. Hart, and John Barrymore,

Lobby Card from The Young Rajah

This is a vibrant, colorful Lobby Card from the 1922 film, The Young Rajah.  Most of the collectibles from this film contain rich, exotic colors.  This film was not a huge financial success, in this case, there was less promotional material available.  This film was lost for years, a partial copy was found and was pieced together along with movie stills.  Memorabilia from lost films tend to create a higher value.  Most people alive today has never seen any of these lost films, thus the only way to visually re-create it is from stills and various posters and lobby cards.  This is a wonderful example of a sought after lobby card.  Still looking for this one myself!

Rare French Sheet Music from Monsieur Beaucaire

This is a fantastic, rare, over-sized piece of sheet music from the 1924 film, Monsieur Beaucaire.   The sheet music is from France.  I had never seen this variation until now.  Another great item uncovered, 90 years after the film was released!  As I have stated in the past, sheet music is one of my favorite collectibles, next to books.  They are vintage, fairly reasonably priced, and easy to frame and display.  This particular piece is one of those rare variations that is not often seen!

1926 Magazine from Belgium

This is another wonderful example of a vintage overseas magazine depicting Valentino on the cover.  The magazine is dated October 1926.  After Valentino's death in August of 1926, he graced the cover of every magazine and newspaper for months after.  This particular magazine depicts an artist's rendition of Valentino from the 1921 film, The Sheik.  I really enjoy these unique covers from outside of The United States.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sorry for the hiatus.  Life seems to be busy as ever.  I hope everyone had a great Holiday and a wonderful New Year.  Hopefully,  your friends or family were able to find you a few Valentino items for the Holidays that were not previously a part of your collection.  I was fortunate enough to receive a bevy of overseas items, which I will post soon.  One of my favorites was an over-sized piece of French sheet music from Monsieur Beaucaire, I had never seen the piece before now, it is fantastic!  I hope all of you have a wonderful New Year.  The below photo is a great candid of Valentino with Consuelo Flowerton, she co-starred with Valentino in the 1921 film, Camille.  More to come....