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Rudolph Valentino (1895-1926) was one of the greatest performers of Hollywood's vaunted silent age. Born Rodolfo Alfonzo Raffaello Pierre Filibert Guglielmi di Valentina d'Antonguolla in Castellaneta, Italy, on May 6, 1895, Valentino made his motion picture debut as an extra in The Battle of the Sexes (1914). Known as "The Great Lover" or "The Sheik," Valentino met a tragic end at age 31 on August 23, 1926, succumbing to peritonitis following surgery for appendicitis and gastric ulcers. It was later estimated that over 100,000 people lined the streets of New York City in order to pay their respects to the fallen Hollywood film idol.
Here are ten valuable Rudolph Valentino movie collectibles that are sure to please and excite silent movie memorabilia buffs. “Women are not in love with me but with the picture of me on the screen. I am merely the canvas on which women paint their dreams.” - Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino scored one of his most memorable roles as Sheik Ahmed Ben Hassan in Paramount Pictures' The Sheik (1921). A lobby card (11x14-inches) featuring Valentino and Agnes Ayres in very fine+ condition sold at auction for $1,135.25.
The Sheik 1921 lobby card $1,135.25
Rudolph Valentino plays Spanish matador Juan Gallardo in Blood and Sand (1922). A window card (14x22-inches) in very fine condition brought $2,070 at auction.
Rudolph Valentino plays Lt. Vladimir Dubrovsky in The Eagle (1925). A lobby card (11x14-inches) in fine condition sold at auction for $373.75.
The Eagle 1925 lobby card $373.75
Rudolph Valentino plays Julio Desnoyers in Metro Pictures' The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921). A restored six sheet poster (81x81-inches) in fine- condition and preserved on linen fetched a top bid of $1,725 at auction.
Rudolph Valentino plays Count Rodrigo Torriani in Cobra (1925). A movie herald in very fine condition sold at auction for a reasonable $57.36.
Cobra 1925 movie herald $57.36
Rudolph Valentino plays Don Alonzo Castro in Paramount Pictures' A Sainted Devil. A restored window card (14x22-inches) in very fine+ condition on linen brought $1,380 at auction.
Authentically signed Rudolph Valentino items command big bucks. A number of Valentino photos bear secretarial or stamped signatures, so be careful out there. An authentically autographed 7x9-inch still bearing the inscription and signature "To Rev. Marley with best wishes of success as a future 1st cameraman, Rudolph Valentino" sold at auction for $1,195.
Rudolph Valentino authentically signed still $1,195
A pass to gain admittance to Rudolph Valentino's high funeral mass at St. Malachy's Church in New York City on August 30, 1926, was a highly coveted item. An original card once owned by actor Clifton Webb (who attended the funeral) in excellent condition brought $776.75.
Rudolph Valentino 1926 funeral card $776.75
Rudolph Valentino plays Lord Hector Bracondale in Beyond the Rocks (1922). An 8x10 behind-the-scenes movie still picturing a cameraman filming Valentino and costar Gloria Swanson in very fine- condition sold at auction for $239.
Beyond the Rocks 1922 movie still $239
A 1920s 8x10-inch portrait still featuring Valentino in stunning profile in fine/very fine condition sold at auction for $119.50.
Rudolph Valentino 1920s portrait still $119.50
